Heritage
Fr. Enright visualized XLRI to be a partner in the liberation and development journey of the independent India with a vision of "renewing the face of the earth". Fr. Bill Tome joined hands with him to bring that vision to fruition. Both, together with the other Jesuit companions, worked tirelessly towards translating the Vision "Renewing the face of the earth" into action.
Over the years XLRI has developed its own distinct identity. Established in 1949, XLRI is the oldest management school in India. The hallmark of this identity is, not to walk on the beaten path, but to strike new routes; not to benchmark, but to be benchmarked; to be second to none, but to be the first to respond to the needs of the people and the nation; taking up tasks that are bold, but necessary, that which nobody has hitherto taken up. This enterprising and pioneering spirit can be witnessed throughout the history of XLRI.
XLRI has always had and maintains a global outlook. We were the first among management schools in India to internationalise our academic programmes. Renowned personalities, distinguished industrialists, academicians and stewards of Jamshedpur Jesuit Society have been part of the institute as Board of Governors, leaders and administrators, teachers and guides. True to its vision, XLRI strives to offer an education which just does not culminate in a mere degree, but one that inspires future business leaders to respond to the unmet needs of the society.
A key characteristic that sets apart XLRI students from other management schools is MAGIS – a quest for the best, never to settle down for mediocrity and always aspire to excel. They relentlessly strive for more, for something better than the best. Instead of wishing circumstances to change and become different, MAGIS-driven persons either make them happen or make the most of them; instead of waiting for golden opportunities, they turn all that they touch into gold.
XLRI, one of the best management schools in India, at its inception, started several management-centric courses for trade unions. In 1953, a two-year, day programme in Industrial Relations and Welfare was started, which was later re-christened as Human Resource Management. Since then, XLRI has added many management-centred academic programmes to its portfolio and has expanded its infrastructure to meet the growing demand of students and establish itself as a premier management school in India. A three-year, evening programme in Business Management was started in 1965, and in 1968 a two-year full-time programme in Business Management was launched.
Over the years, XLRI has launched quite a few short and long-term programmes for working executives to help upgrade their management-centric knowledgebase and become more competent business leaders.
XL Journey OVEr 70 yEArS
The XL journey that began with the Vision of a few Jesuit fathers has nurtured many business leaders, industrialists and changemakers in its course of translating dreams into reality. As we look back, we are reminded of the undeterred pursuit of the founding fathers to bring change in society and the nation at large.
In 1949, Fr Quinn Enright, S.J. with the help of the then General Manager of TISCO NJ Haley, formed a core committee comprising Michael John (union leader), MD Madan, Dr Sukhatme, and GV Apte and started operating from the Boulevard Hotel in Bistupur.
On 8 December, 1956, the ground breaking ceremony for the present XLRI campus was held. In 1956, the classes shifted to a room in Loyola School and a twoyear day programme commenced here leading to a post-graduate diploma in Industrial Relations.
In 1958, the first batch of XLRI graduated from the premises of Loyola School.
In 1959 Fr. Enright left for the US handing over the charge of construction of the campus to Fr. EH McGrath.
In 1962, the present XLRI heritage campus was inaugurated.
The contiguous extension of the existing XLRI, Jamshedpur campus was inaugurated by Cyrus Mistry, the then Chairman, Tata Sons, on 17 Nov, 2015
The foundation stone for the Jhajjar campus in Delhi-NCR was laid on 16 January, 2017 by Om Prakash Dhankar, Cabinet Minister, Government of Haryana
XLRI | Delhi-NCR commenced its academic year in August 2020