Category: EduConnect

EduConnect

St. Xavier’s HSS Mapusa and St. Francis Xavier’s HSSC Siolim Win Big at Rockstar Chef Competition 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Mapusa and St. Francis Xavier’s Higher Secondary School of Arts, Science and Commerce, Siolim emerged as the big winners at the grand finale of the Rockstar Chef Competition 2025, the flagship culinary event hosted by the Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts. The competition, held at the college’s state-of-the-art Verna campus, brought together 25 enthusiastic students from across Goa who showcased their creativity, technical skills, and passion for the culinary arts.

The competition was divided into two main categories—Hot Kitchen and Bakery & Pastry—each further classified into CRM (institutions offering vocational courses) and general categories. After a series of semi-final rounds conducted across various campuses between September and October 2025, the finalists competed in the grand finale for individual honours as well as the prestigious rolling trophies for their institutions.

In the Hot Kitchen CRM category, Valencia Fernandes from St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Mapusa emerged as the winner, while Presh Talawdekar from Purushottam Walawalkar Higher Secondary School of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mapusa secured first place in the Hot Kitchen general category. In the Bakery & Pastry segment, Pakeeza Dalayat from Damodar English Higher Secondary School, Quepem claimed the top spot in the CRM category, and Sejal Palyekar from St. Francis Xavier’s Higher Secondary School of Arts, Science and Commerce, Siolim won the general category. Based on the collective performance of their students, St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Mapusa and St. Francis Xavier’s Higher Secondary School of Arts, Science and Commerce, Siolim were awarded the rolling trophies in the CRM and general categories respectively.

The grand finale was judged by Chef Montague Dias, Executive Sous Chef at Planet Hollywood Goa, and Chef Kunal Arolkar, a renowned culinary expert. Both judges praised the students for their discipline, creativity, and technical finesse, noting the professional standards demonstrated by participants at such an early stage in their culinary journeys. Chef Montague Dias remarked that the competition offered students a valuable glimpse into the realities of the culinary profession and commended the use of one of the best commercially designed culinary facilities for the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Parixit Pai Fondekar, Founder of Kamaxi Group, highlighted the importance of platforms like the Rockstar Chef Competition in shaping future culinary professionals. He noted that the event allows students to bring their ideas to life, build confidence, and recognise culinary arts as a legitimate and inspiring career path beyond conventional professions.

Participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in a professional environment, sharing that the experience broadened their culinary perspective and strengthened their confidence. Many students said the competition inspired them to seriously consider careers in the food and hospitality industry, reinforcing the role of initiatives like Rockstar Chef Competition in nurturing the next generation of culinary talent in Goa.

EduConnect

Civil Defence Enrollment Drive Conducted at Goa Pharmacy College

allycaralgoa

The Goa Home Guards and Civil Defence Organisation conducted an enrollment drive at a pharmacy college today, inviting students to join Civil Defence (CD) initiatives. The drive is part of a national effort to encourage youth participation in disaster preparedness, emergency response, and community safety.

Speaking to students, CD Warden of Panjim Division, Shri John Aguiar, explained the origins and purpose of Civil Defence. He shared that the service began as a civilian volunteer organisation in Great Britain during World War II and was officially named the Civil Defence Service (CD) in 1941. Established in India on October 24, 1941, and later formalised through the Civil Defence Act, 1968, its primary goal is to protect citizens from natural and man-made disasters, covering preparedness, response, and recovery.

Shri Aguiar emphasised that trained Civil Defence volunteers act as first responders, equipped with knowledge to ensure their own survival and help others efficiently during emergencies, potentially saving lives and mitigating disaster impacts.

The drive included registration desks and awareness sessions, with senior wardens Shri Vijay Kumar Surlikar, Shri Rupesh Parvatkar, CDVs Harsha Naik and Smriti Kothare, and Lady Home Guard Dilshad Eklaspurkar briefing students on Civil Defence units’ roles and importance for the community.

Assistant Professor Dr. Sachi Kudchadkar coordinated the programme, and Principal Dr. Gopal Krishna Rao was present to encourage student participation. The event highlighted the significance of civic responsibility and the empowerment of youth to serve as informed, prepared citizens in times of crisis.

EduConnect

GDP School Hosts First-Ever Convocation with Enterprise Ramp Walk Across Three Campuses

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The GDP School for Social Entrepreneurship, Skill Building and Applied Social Research marked its first convocation at Borda College, Margao, with a packed auditorium and a high-energy format that placed outcomes above optics and enterprises above certificates. The event brought together graduating cohorts from the Borda, Vasco, and Quepem campuses in a celebration that redefined the traditional idea of a convocation.

Departing from convention, the convocation featured a swag-filled ramp walk where senior citizens, Self Help Groups, and rural youth confidently showcased market-ready products, service offerings, flyers, and enterprise packages. Developed through intensive practitioner-led mentoring and applied social research, the ramp transformed into a live marketplace of social innovation and enterprise readiness.

Stage 1 of the GDP School journey focused on stabilising three core pillars of enterprise building—product, process, and people. Participants underwent repeated cycles of market fitment, customer feedback, redesign, and validation, with a deliberate application of Blue Ocean Strategy to identify uncontested value propositions. The cohorts now advance into Stage 2, the Go-To-Market phase, which will focus on customer acquisition, partnerships, revenue models, and scaling.

The ramp walk was led by GDP School practitioners Deepakshi Mishra from the Quepem Campus, Kaushal Prabhudesai from the Vasco Campus, and Prasad Deshpande from the Borda Campus, who guided their respective cohorts through the showcase. The convocation was led by Chief Guest Mr. Kanjanabha Bhattacharyya, Managing Director of Putzmeister Concrete Machines Pvt. Ltd., who reinforced the importance of industrial rigor and execution discipline in building sustainable social enterprises.

The event saw the presence of a wide range of dignitaries from banking, industry, media, administration, and social development sectors, reflecting strong cross-sector endorsement for the initiative. The convocation also coincided with the birth anniversary of Late Shri Manoharbhai Parrikar, former Union Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa, and was envisioned as a tribute to his enduring legacy of institution-building, integrity, and inclusive development.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Kishore Shah, Managing Trustee of GDP Foundation, followed by live product displays and networking. The convocation marked not an end, but the formal market entry of community-rooted enterprises, reinforcing GDP School’s emergence as a pioneering platform where social purpose meets market discipline and learning translates into real, scalable impact.

EduConnect

Goa Launches Campus Innovation Scheme to Boost Student-Led Research and Entrepreneurship

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa has taken a significant step toward strengthening its innovation landscape with the launch of the Campus Innovation Scheme under the Goa Startup Policy 2025. Introduced by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) under the leadership of Minister Rohan Khaunte, the initiative seeks to nurture early-stage ideas developed within educational institutions and encourage students to explore emerging technologies through hands-on research and prototyping.

The scheme offers financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 per application, covering actual project expenses, and is open exclusively to bonafide students enrolled in UGC-recognised institutions in Goa. By limiting support to 10 beneficiaries each financial year, the program ensures focused funding and close monitoring of selected projects. Colleges are required to set up dedicated selection committees that carefully evaluate proposals based on sustainability, innovation potential, technical depth, and relevance to evolving technological domains.

Students must submit their project proposals through their respective institutions, after which recommendations from the college committees are forwarded to the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) for further evaluation. Approved applicants receive reimbursement after the expenditure is made, encouraging accountability and proper utilisation of funds. To maintain progress transparency, institutions must also submit quarterly reports to SITPC in the prescribed format.

In November, DITE&C hosted a meeting with Training and Placement Officers from various colleges to familiarise them with the scheme and encourage active participation. This interaction was aimed at fostering stronger collaboration between government bodies and educational institutions in nurturing a new generation of innovators.

The Campus Innovation Scheme serves as a launchpad for students aspiring to transform their ideas into tangible prototypes and impactful solutions. By equipping them with the resources and support they need at an early stage, Goa is cultivating a culture of innovation within campuses and preparing young minds for the next steps in their entrepreneurial journey.

EduConnect

Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts Hosts Gourmet Lunch for Educational Leaders

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Panaji, November 2025: The Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts recently hosted an exclusive gourmet lunch for principals and educators from various educational institutions across Goa. The event, held at the college campus in Verna, was designed to strengthen ties with the academic community while providing students with a platform to showcase their culinary skills and hospitality.

Students from the Hot Kitchen and Bakery departments prepared and served an exquisite meal under the mentorship of Chefs Pratiksha, Paul, and Sameer. The lunch featured innovative dishes and desserts, reflecting both technical mastery and creative presentation. The event drew representation from a wide range of higher secondary schools, including People’s Higher Secondary School, Santa Cruz Higher Secondary School of Arts and Commerce, Vidya Vikas Mandal’s Ramakrishna Madeva Salgaocar Higher Secondary School, St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Fr. Basilio Andrade Memorial Higher Secondary School, Shivgram Educational Society Shiroda Higher Secondary School of Arts, Commerce, Science and Vocational, M.E.F’s Higher Secondary School of Science, and St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School.

Educators attending the event praised both the quality of the cuisine and the students’ hospitality. Fr Agnelo Fernandes, Vice Principal of St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, commented, “The meal and desserts prepared and served were truly exquisite. Having interacted with the students and chefs of Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts, I was impressed by the warmth, attention to detail and high standards maintained at the institute.” Trevor Vaz Barreto, Principal of Santa Cruz Higher Secondary School of Arts and Commerce, added, “It was a pleasure to be part of such a special event. The engaging conversations, delicious cuisine and camaraderie created an atmosphere of genuine connection and inspiration. I look forward to more collaborations between our institutions.”

The Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts plans to host a series of similar initiatives in the future, aiming to build strong relationships with other educational institutions while giving students real-world exposure to hospitality and culinary excellence. The event not only highlighted the skills of the students but also reinforced the college’s commitment to fostering learning, collaboration, and professional growth.