Category: EduConnect

EduConnect

St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona Honours Students Who Cycle Daily on Children’s Day

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona marked Children’s Day with an inspiring gesture that celebrated both discipline and sustainability. The school felicitated eighteen students, including two girls and sixteen boys, for their unwavering commitment to cycling to school every single day. This daily practice has not only strengthened their personal fitness but has also contributed to the school’s broader mission of promoting environmentally responsible habits among the student community. The event was graced by the Manager, Fr. Jerard Sahayaraj, Principal, Ms. Angelica Fernandes, and Senior Teacher, Mr. Amarnath Panjikar, who presented tokens of appreciation to the young cyclists. Their recognition highlighted the students’ dedication at a time when many teenagers opt for motorbikes even before meeting the legal age for licenses. This simple act of choosing a bicycle over a motorcycle stands as a powerful example of responsibility, safety, and conscious living.

Senior Teacher Amarnath Panjikar, who coordinated the initiative, emphasised the importance of this effort. He noted that the students have set an example worth following, reminding their peers of the many benefits that cycling offers — from improved physical fitness to reducing pollution and contributing to a cleaner, greener environment. The school hopes that this initiative will inspire more students to adopt bicycles as a sustainable mode of daily transport. By celebrating these young cyclists, the school has not only recognised their discipline but has also sent a message rooted in community well-being, environmental care, and responsible behaviour. The simple act of cycling has become a reminder of how small choices can bring meaningful change within a school environment, especially on a day dedicated to celebrating children.

EduConnect

Goa’s First Research-Based Inter-School Science Fair 2026 Begins with Teachers’ Orientation Program by BIE and AJ Academy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Board of Innovative Education (BIE), in association with AJ Academy for Research and Development, has taken a significant step toward transforming science education in Goa with the launch of a Teachers’ Orientation Program for the state’s first research-based Inter-School Science Fair 2026. Designed for students from Classes IV to X, the initiative marks a major shift from conventional model-making to genuine scientific inquiry that encourages curiosity, analytical thinking and evidence-based exploration. During the orientation, teachers were introduced to the core objective of integrating academic concepts with real research practices from an early age. The training emphasized the importance of helping students think like scientists—asking meaningful questions, developing hypotheses, identifying variables, conducting experiments, analysing data and presenting clear, research-backed conclusions.

One of the distinguishing features of this year’s Science Fair is its emphasis on Goa-centric research themes. Topics such as coastal erosion, mangrove ecosystem health, water quality challenges, waste management, the environmental impact of tourism and mining, and issues related to biodiversity were presented as key focus areas. By working on these locally relevant themes, students will be able to apply scientific thinking to issues that directly affect their surroundings, allowing them to propose solutions rooted in research and a deeper understanding of their environment. This approach aims to make science education relatable and empowering, encouraging students to view scientific inquiry as a tool for improving their communities.

Addressing teachers at the orientation, the Secretary of the Board of Innovative Education underscored the transformative vision behind the Science Fair. He emphasized the need to “bring out the C. V. Raman, Einstein and Newton hidden in our young minds,” highlighting the immense potential within Goa’s student community. Teachers were acknowledged as the driving force behind this transformation, and the session provided them with practical guidelines, mentoring frameworks and support strategies to help students undertake impactful research projects.

The upcoming Goa Inter-School Science Fair 2026 is expected to showcase meaningful, evidence-driven projects that reflect real-time challenges faced by the state. Through this research-oriented approach, the initiative aims to ignite scientific curiosity, strengthen analytical skills and inspire young minds to explore science as a powerful tool for understanding and solving the challenges of their communities.

EduConnect

Don Bosco College Psychology Students Visit Sangath for Experiential Learning Session

allycaralgoa

As part of the Mental Health Week celebrations, the Department of Psychology at Don Bosco College, Panjim, organised an enriching experiential learning visit to Sangath, Porvorim, on 8th October 2025. Thirty students from SYBA and TYBA Psychology participated in the visit, accompanied by Assistant Professors Andrea D’Souza and Tabitha Fernandes.

Upon arrival, the students were welcomed by Ms. Jaya Katiyar, who provided an insightful introduction to Sangath’s vision, mission, and ongoing initiatives. Sangath, known for its pioneering work in mental health, child development, and community-based research, offered the students a close look at real-world applications of psychology.

The interactive session featured a series of talks by Sangath’s multidisciplinary team:

  • Dr. Rohit Shah
  • Ms. Vartika Jain
  • Ms. Grace Pacheco
  • Mr. Subhash Pednekar
  • Mrs. Lalan Karapurkar
  • Mr. Rajanish Haldankar
  • Ms. Trupti Payekar

Each speaker shared their professional journey, expertise, and contributions to Sangath’s wide-ranging programmes — from research and field implementation to outreach and organisational support. Students had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, deepening their understanding of mental health work beyond textbooks and classrooms.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Sangath premises, allowing students to observe firsthand how interdisciplinary collaboration between psychologists, researchers, field workers, and community engagement specialists leads to impactful mental health interventions.

The field trip provided students with valuable exposure to the functioning of a leading mental health organisation and reinforced the importance of empathy, community participation, and evidence-based practice in psychological work. It was an inspiring and educational experience that strengthened their connection to the field.

EduConnect

ICAR-CCARI Goa Bags ‘Best Institution Other Than School & College’ Award at 6th National Water Awards 2024

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI), Goa, has achieved national recognition by bagging the prestigious ‘Best Institution Other Than School & College’ award at the 6th National Water Awards 2024. The award, announced by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, acknowledges the institute’s remarkable efforts in advancing water management, conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices in India’s coastal regions.

A total of 46 winners, including joint winners, have been selected across ten categories for the 2024 awards, which include Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), Best Civil Society, and Best Individual for excellence in the water sector. Maharashtra was declared the Best State, followed by Gujarat and Haryana in second and third positions respectively.

The award ceremony is scheduled to be held on 18th November 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside Minister of State for the Ministry of Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Chaudhary, Secretary of DoWR, RD & GR V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of Drinking Water and Sanitation Ashok K.K. Meena, and other senior officials.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, highlighted that the National Water Awards reflect the government’s commitment to recognizing and promoting water conservation efforts nationwide. The awards are part of a broader initiative under the Ministry of Jal Shakti to build a sustainable and water-secure future for India under the guidance of the Prime Minister.

Introduced in 2018, the National Water Awards aim to create public awareness about the importance of water and motivate individuals and organizations to adopt best practices in water management. The awards were not conferred in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they resumed thereafter with renewed focus on sustainable water practices. For the 2024 edition, launched on 23rd October 2024 via the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the department received 751 applications. These were meticulously scrutinized and evaluated by a jury committee, followed by on-ground verification by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), leading to the final selection of 46 awardees.

The recognition of ICAR–CCARI Goa underscores the institute’s long-standing contributions to coastal agriculture and water sustainability. The National Water Awards continue to serve as a powerful platform to encourage innovation, collaboration, and community engagement in water conservation efforts across India — strengthening the nation’s journey towards a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’.

EduConnect

Sanguem Girl Shines in the UK: Fiza Shaikh Appointed International Officer at Leeds Beckett University

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Fiza Shaikh, daughter of Ex-Vice Chairperson Imtiaz Shaikh and Councillor Fouziya Shaikh from Sanguem, has made her hometown and the entire state of Goa proud with her recent achievement in the United Kingdom. A former student of The Kings School and a graduate of Padre Conceicao College of Engineering (PCCE), Fiza has consistently demonstrated excellence both academically and professionally.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in engineering, she pursued her passion for management and leadership by enrolling for a Master’s in Project Management at Leeds Beckett University in the UK. Her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence paid off as she graduated with distinction — a testament to her hard work and determination.

Adding yet another feather to her cap, Fiza has now been appointed as an International Officer at Leeds Beckett University. In this new role, she will contribute to fostering global connections and supporting international students, continuing her journey of inspiring leadership and cross-cultural engagement.

Beyond academics, Fiza is also the Managing Director of the SmileKeeper Foundation, an organization focused on social development and community upliftment. Her story is not just one of personal success but also a symbol of what Goan youth can achieve with vision, persistence, and passion.

Her accomplishment stands as a proud moment for Sanguem, celebrating the potential of young Goans making their mark across the world and reminding us that with dedication and hard work, the world truly has no boundaries.