Since the beginning, Economics department has been one of the excellent departments in the Humanities. Besides providing theoretical insights, the department provides experiential knowledge about applied economics. The department has well qualified team, training students to graduate with excellent merits, and establish themselves in areas like development economics, international economics, management, social sector, civil services and administration, banking, trade and commerce, business and data analytics.
The department conducts seminars, encourages discussions on current topics, educates through innovative ways, facilitates research, and organizes educational excursions. Teachers make themselves available to students who need mentoring, in academics, career and personal growth. Further, it trains students to be leaders and help develop their talents in a holistic manner.
The department has always pioneered in starting new activities & courses whether it be career oriented programmes, economics festivals, educational visits, research & Undergraduate Self-financed Honours programme.
Key research areas:
Trade, Development, Environment, Agriculture, Banking etc.
Activities:
International flagship event- Cognizant (Eco Fest), Field trips to factories, ports & rural areas. Research & Surveys.
During their first year in college, the programme aims to introduce the basic concepts in economics to the students so as to enable them to prepare themselves for further studies in economics. The second and third year courses in economics provide the students with an in-depth understanding of Micro and Macroeconomics, Trade and Public Finance, Indian Economy, Gujarat Economy, Managerial Economics, environmental economics, growth and development, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, etc., By the time they graduate, the curriculum will have enabled students to think critically on government policies, and propose appropriate policy interventions that are required to make the economy more vibrant.
With the vision of introducing the required changes in a traditional economics programme at the UG level and with the objective of introducing papers which have greater applicability, the department proposed a self-finance Honours Programme in 2020. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the course started from the academic year 2022. This is the first of its kind under Gujarat University affiliation.
The course integrates the subject of economics with subjects in history, cultural studies, understanding society, human rights entrepreneurship and e-marketing and also with mathematics, statistics and data analysis and research skills. These papers are taught by experts in the respective fields.
Programme Outcomes:
1). Develop a competitive edge at a national level
2). Develop stronger analytical and research skills
3). Enhance employability prospects
Initial Intake: 30
Total students admitted in the first year 2025-26: 58
Cognizance, the economics festival which is popularly known as Xavier’s Ecofest, is a flagship event that started in the year 2013. It is an event organised and managed highly professionally by the students of the department.
It has become bigger and grander since then, and the department sees it evolve and become increasingly relevant with each passing year. It is recognised as a Best Practice by NAAC, and its success has led many other colleges and departments to take up similar activities.
The event consists of activities that hone the analytical and reasoning skills of the students in the area of economic thinking. A number of students from the city, the state and all across India participate in these events.
The festival nurtures the students’ careers with a variety of skills and virtues such as, leadership, public relations, marketing, team spirit, financial management, marketing, logistics management, presentation, graphics and computing skills, discipline, punctuality etc.
Learning Economics from the Silver Screen is an activity of the department that introduces an engaging pedagogical approach for undergraduate students to understand economic concepts through the relatable medium of cinema. Movies based on economic issues such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, financial crises, labour markets, consumerism, globalisation, recession, macroeconomic policies and corporate behaviour can help students connect theoretical concepts discussed in the classroom with real-life situations and human experiences. Through guided viewing and classroom discussions, students can critically examine issues such as market failure, economic decision-making, incentives, distribution of resources, and the social consequences of economic policies. Such an approach can enhance students’ analytical and critical-thinking skills, encourage interdisciplinary perspectives, and make economics more accessible and relevant by demonstrating how economic forces shape individuals, institutions, and society.
A series of guest lectures is planned by the department each year to learn the subject from different experts. Such lectures improve their professional interaction skills, critical thinking, help them with better career planning, help them learn about the latest developments in their subjects, as well as get a perspective different from the textbooks and classrooms.
Field trips are also organised by the department to give exposure to the students.
