Honouring a Visionary Leader | Applauding the fruits of the labour | Acknowledging and associating for a greater cause
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
It is with deep appreciation and respect that we celebrate the inspiring leadership of Rev. Fr. Praveen Martis SJ, the newly elected President of the Xavier Board of Higher Education in India. His election marks beginning of a new and dynamic chapter in Catholic higher education, one that combines faith, collaboration, and far-reaching vision.
From Host to Unanimous Leader
Rev. Fr. Martis has always been known for his clarity of purpose and his belief that true progress happens when people work together for the common good. Fr. Martis’s journey to the presidency is a story of humility, hard work, and grace. What began as a simple responsibility to host a board meeting turned into a moment of recognition for his exceptional leadership. He shared with Global TV that his first worry was about funding, since the estimated cost of the event was around twenty lakh rupees. Through careful planning, teamwork, and dedication, the event turned into a record-breaking success, collecting nearly thirty-one lakh rupees when only ten lakhs had been expected.
His ability to deliver excellence caught the attention of his peers, who encouraged him to stand for election. It was the first time in his life that he contested for a position. In a remarkable expression of confidence, he was unanimously chosen as the President of the Xavier Board, with no one against him. This moment of collective trust showed how deeply his integrity, calm leadership, and commitment were valued.
A Vision for Collective Growth
Rev. Fr. Martis shared with Global TV a clear and inspiring blueprint for the future of the Xavier Board. His vision focuses on strengthening the nearly four hundred Catholic higher education institutions across India, transforming them from independent entities into a connected and collaborative community.
The “Resource Mountain”
Why limit into resource pools; why not a large resource mountain? He “Resource Mountain.” Instead of working with small groups or resource pools, he envisions a vast and united network. He explained to Global TV that if each institution contributes just a small number of experts and alumni, the collective strength would be immense. He gave the example of selecting fifty alumni from each college, creating a network of twenty thousand professionals who could serve as mentors and contributors. In addition, each institution could provide ten to fifteen expert resource persons in fields like science, engineering, and research. Together, this would form a national database of more than four thousand experts. Fr. Martis believes this collaboration will help every institution draw from shared knowledge and experience, ensuring that no college is left behind in its pursuit of excellence.
Supporting Civil Service Aspirants
One of Fr. Martis’s great passions is to guide students toward careers in civil service. He told Global TV that his goal is to identify at least one outstanding Catholic student from every region in India and give them full support for competitive exams like the UPSC and KPSC. He also plans to work with research conferences and other agencies to provide scholarships and mentorship. This initiative aims to create a new generation of Catholic leaders who can serve the nation with integrity and vision.
Building Skills and Entrepreneurship
Fr. Martis strongly believes that education must prepare students for the realities of the future. He emphasized that skill development and entrepreneurship are essential for progress. He encourages institutions to focus on training and capacity building for both faculty and students, so that everyone stays ready for the demands of the modern world.
He also dreams of nurturing student entrepreneurship. He explained to Global TV that if every region could launch even five new companies each year, the combined contribution of four hundred institutions would be extraordinary. Through this mission, Catholic colleges could become centres of innovation and job creation, not only producing graduates but also building opportunities for others.
Documenting Legacy and Speaking as One
Another key goal is to document the legacy of Catholic higher education and create a unified voice for advocacy. Fr. Martis pointed out that there has been no updated national directory of Catholic institutions for over two decades. His plan is to create a new comprehensive directory and present it to the University Grants Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Prime Minister, and the President of India. He also wants older institutions, especially those over one hundred years old, to publish their histories.
This would serve as a lasting record of their contributions to education and social development. By preserving this heritage, he hopes to highlight the Catholic community’s enormous role in nation-building and ensure that its value is recognized at the national level.
Mentorship and Student Leadership
Fr. Martis’s vision also includes mentorship and youth development. He proposes that well-established colleges should mentor younger ones, particularly those serving poor or remote regions.
This kind of partnership will help small institutions grow with the guidance and support of experienced mentors. At the same time, he wants to build a network of young student leaders.
He suggested choosing the ten best students from each college to represent their institutions. This would create a group of around four thousand young ambassadors of Catholic education. These students would carry forward the values of excellence, compassion, and leadership in every sphere of life.
A Pilgrimage of Hope
Through all his plans, Fr. Martis maintains one central message; hope. He calls this journey a “pilgrimage of hope.” Speaking to Global TV, he encouraged everyone not to be discouraged by difficulties but to focus on the possibilities that lie ahead. “Do not look at the challenges and bow down,” he said. “Rather, come up and see what positive can be done.” His message is deeply spiritual. He reminds educators and students never to forget the presence of God in their work.
“Let us not forget God. With God’s providence and help, we can do anything and everything,” he affirmed. He sees faith and collaboration as the two foundations on which lasting progress is built. “Ultimately, what is different networking and collaboration. There is nothing but collaboration and networking,” he explained with conviction.
A Leader of Vision, Faith, and Service
Fr. Praveen Martis SJ is widely admired for his ability to combine visionary thinking with practical action. As Principal of St Aloysius College, Mangalore, Vice Chancellor of St. Aloysius University, and now as the President of the Xavier Board, he has always championed education that is rooted in values, social responsibility, and the Jesuit spirit of service. He is known for his inspiring leadership, his tireless commitment to students and faculty, and his belief that education must create not only successful individuals but also compassionate citizens.
His initiatives at St Aloysius University have already set new standards for academic excellence, research innovation, and social outreach. Under his guidance, the university has strengthened its identity as a place where faith meets reason and where learning is both rigorous and humane. His appointment as President of the Xavier Board is a recognition of this outstanding record of leadership.
A New Dawn for Catholic Education
With his visionary plan for the Xavier Board, Fr. Praveen Martis SJ has set the course for a new era in Catholic higher education in India. His Resource Mountain idea, his focus on civil service, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and collective documentation, all reflect a deep understanding of the present and a confident hope for the future.
In his own quiet and determined way, he has shown that great things can be achieved through collaboration, faith, and service. For him, the presidency is a responsibility and an inspiration to connect, collaborate and becoming a cocreator with of educators and students across the country. Catholic education in India has always been about forming leaders who can think deeply, act justly, and serve selflessly. As he takes this mission forward, he carries with him solid prayers from many and the blessings of generations of visionaries and association of a grateful community.
