Students of Goa Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s Gopal Govind Poy Raiturcar College of Commerce and Economics in Ponda have brought pride to their institution by clinching the overall trophy at Abhiuday 2026, an intercollegiate event organised by the Government College of Commerce and Economics, Borda. The team also secured a cash prize of ₹20,000 at the prestigious event.
The full-day competition, held at Ravindra Bhavan Margao, witnessed participation from multiple colleges, with students competing across a range of events. Representing the college was a contingent of 40 students, who demonstrated remarkable talent, enthusiasm, and teamwork throughout the day.
The winning trophy was presented by Damodar Naik, adding to the significance of the achievement.
The students participated with the encouragement and permission of Principal Dr. Smita Sanzgiri and were guided by Faculty In-charge Ms. Yeshda S. Prabhu, whose support played a crucial role in the team’s success.
This accomplishment highlights the institution’s ongoing commitment to holistic student development, encouraging participation beyond academics and fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration among its students.
Panaji: Beginning the academic year 2026-27, the Goa government has decided to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) across all classes in state board-affiliated schools.
Until 2025-26, NEP guidelines were introduced at the nursery level, Class III, Class VI, and Classes IX and X. As per a circular issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the policy will now extend to Classes I-II, IV-V and VII-VIII, ensuring full-scale implementation across grades.
Under the new framework, all students will be evaluated using a credit-based system, with each credit equivalent to 30 notional hours of learning.
The SCERT will provide newly developed NEP-aligned textbooks free of cost to all government and government-aided schools.
At the foundational stage (Classes I and II), students will study additional subjects such as art and craft, sports, yoga, reading and gardening activities alongside regular academic subjects. A common syllabus will be introduced for art and craft, sports and yoga.
For Classes I and II, there will be six periods per day, each lasting 40 minutes. Institutions must ensure a minimum of four instructional hours per day, including the morning assembly, excluding recess. Assessments for these classes will be conducted internally.
Students in Classes III to V must complete a minimum of 1,000 learning hours per year. To meet this requirement, 10 hours will be allocated for reading at home. These classes will follow an eight-period schedule per day, with each period lasting 40 minutes, ensuring a minimum of five instructional hours daily, including morning assembly and excluding recess.
For Classes VI to VIII, practical examinations will be conducted in the presence of an external examiner, as part of the revised evaluation structure.
The decision marks a significant step in aligning Goa’s state education system with the National Education Policy framework, focusing on holistic learning, structured evaluation and expanded subject exposure across all grade levels.
An Advanced TV Anchoring Workshop is set to take place on March 1, 2026, in Panaji, offering aspiring anchors and media professionals an opportunity to refine their on-screen presentation skills. Scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm, the workshop promises hands-on learning and practical exposure in a professional setup.
The programme will include teleprompter practice, a detailed studio walkthrough and advanced techniques of TV anchoring designed to enhance voice modulation, body language and camera confidence. Participants will also benefit from an interactive session with a guest anchor, who will discuss the pros and cons of working in the television industry, offering real-world insights.
With a registration fee of Rs. 5000 and only five seats available, the workshop aims to provide focused, personalised guidance. Interested participants are encouraged to register at the earliest by calling 7507051512.
Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce (SVVMCC) organised an Academia–Industry Summit under CONVERGE 3.0 – Shiksha Udyogik Sangam on February 12, 2026, focusing on the theme “AI for Career Building.” The programme was conducted under the aegis of the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, in association with the Goa State Higher Education Council and the Institution’s Innovation Council. The summit aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and evolving industry expectations in the digital era.
The event commenced with an address by Principal Prof. Achut Pednekar, who welcomed the gathering and highlighted the institution’s commitment to nurturing enlightened youth through excellence in higher education. He emphasised the importance of strong academia–industry linkages and aligned the initiative with the Directorate of Higher Education’s efforts to enhance internships, placements and industry exposure for students.
The first technical session, titled “Bridging Academia and Industry Expectations,” was delivered by Damodar Pai Patnekar, CEO and Co-founder of Bodhami. He spoke about the changing demands of industry in the age of Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for practical skills, adaptability and a strong problem-solving mindset. His session provided students with clarity on aligning academic knowledge with real-world industry requirements.
The second session, “Empowering Students with AI Awareness,” was conducted by Rohir Naik, CEO of Coderix Solutions LLP. He introduced students to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its applications across sectors, particularly in commerce and business. He encouraged students to develop digital competencies and embrace AI-driven tools to enhance employability.
The final session, “Getting Career AI-Ready through AI Education,” was led by Vishwa Naik Raikar, Assistant Professor (Finance) and Programme Coordinator – PGP Banking and Finance. She highlighted the importance of AI education in career planning, ethical AI usage and continuous upskilling to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.
Students from First, Second and Third Year B.Com actively participated in the summit, engaging in discussions and interactions with the speakers. The sessions collectively offered valuable insights into how Artificial Intelligence is shaping future careers and redefining industry expectations.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Gayatri Behare, TIP Coordinator, who expressed gratitude to the Principal, resource persons, compere Florencia Souza, faculty members, students and the organising team. She noted that the summit strengthened industry ties and advanced AI-centric career strategies, reaffirming SVVMCC’s alignment with the vision of the Directorate of Higher Education for quality, future-ready education.
“ATAL Nirnay – Goa Codes 2026” has emerged as a significant student-driven initiative aimed at addressing pressing environmental challenges in the State, particularly those related to pollution and waste management. Conceptualised with the philosophy that meaningful change begins with responsible individual decisions, the competition encourages students from Classes VI to IX to actively participate in environmental transformation through innovation, technology, awareness and community engagement.
The 28-day structured challenge commenced on February 2, 2026, with statewide orientation sessions for Heads of Institutions. The format recognises that building sustainable habits requires consistent effort, encouraging long-term waste segregation practices, environmental accountability and community awareness rather than one-day activities. The focus extends beyond participation to nurturing lasting environmental values among students.
The competition integrates eco-awareness, robotics and innovation through five structured events: the Smart Waste Solution Challenge, Garbage Awareness Campaign from Home to Community, Clean Goa Action Drive, Digital Awareness Campaign, and Study and Documentation. Students identify real waste management challenges, design innovative models and prototypes using Robotics Hardware Kits provided under the CARES scheme, conduct awareness initiatives and document measurable environmental impact.
The initiative is organised by the Project Management Unit under the CARES Scheme of the Directorate of Technical Education Goa, in association with Goa Waste Management Corporation. A total of 688 teams from schools across Goa have registered, reflecting widespread participation and enthusiasm. GWMC is facilitating infrastructure for waste collection during cleanliness drives and will coordinate on identified “Black Spots” where waste frequently accumulates, ensuring student activities connect directly with governance mechanisms.
Mentorship support is being provided by Teach for Goa Fellows, who are guiding schools with technical assistance and coordination. Teachers and students have been trained in the use of Robotics Hardware Kits to develop practical eco-tech solutions, effectively blending environmental awareness with technological skill development.
Attractive cash prizes have been announced to encourage active participation. State-level winners will receive ₹50,000 for first place, ₹40,000 for second place and ₹30,000 for third place, with additional consolation and taluka-level awards. The prize money will be awarded to the respective schools.
ATAL Nirnay represents a grassroots movement aimed at fostering positivity and cleanliness across Goa, beginning from homes, classrooms and neighbourhoods. By reinforcing the idea that small individual actions can generate extraordinary community impact, the initiative aspires to cultivate a culture of sustainability, responsibility and innovation across the State.
