Tag: college events

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St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa Celebrates 60th Annual Day with Grandeur

Tanisha Cardozo

The 60th Annual Day of St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, held on January 15, 2026, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and dignity in the presence of management, distinguished guests, alumni, staff and students. The event was presided over by the Chief Guest, Rev. Fr. Nazareth Fernandes, Superior General of the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier.

The programme began with a warm welcome by the Administrator, Rev. Fr. Antonio Salema, who greeted the Chief Guest, dignitaries and the audience. Prof. Filipe Rodrigues e Melo, Vice Principal, formally introduced the Chief Guest, highlighting his leadership and contribution to the mission of education. The Officiating Principal, Ms Ursula Barreto, then presented the Annual Report, outlining the significant academic, co-curricular and extracurricular achievements of students during the academic year 2024–25.

Adding a special emotional touch to the occasion, the Parent-Teacher Association and the Alumni Association felicitated retired faculty members of the institution. The gathering evoked a strong sense of nostalgia as former teaching and non-teaching staff reunited to relive fond memories associated with the college.

During the Award Ceremony, deserving alumni and students were honoured for their outstanding achievements in academics, sports and extracurricular activities, celebrating the spirit of excellence that defines the institution. Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr. Nazareth Fernandes drew inspiration from tennis icon Novak Djokovic, emphasising that achievement and privilege come with responsibility. He reminded students that privilege should never lead to complacency and that a meaningful legacy is shaped by the lives one positively impacts. He encouraged students to remain noble in thought, word and deed, and to generously share their talents and blessings with others.

The celebration also featured vibrant cultural performances by students, showcasing their creativity, talent and confidence. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by the General Secretary of the Students’ Council, Mr Akhil Gurav, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, programme coordinator Prof. Maria Fonseca and all those who contributed to making the 60th Annual Day a memorable success.

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Vatican Observatory Director Fr. Richard D’Souza Celebrates Feast Mass at St. Xavier’s College

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December 4, 2025 | Mapusa, Goa : St. Xavier’s College celebrated the Feast of its Patron Saint, St. Francis Xavier, with great reverence and enthusiasm. The Feast Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Richard D’Souza SJ, esteemed Director of the Vatican Observatory, Rome, whose presence elevated the significance of the occasion.

Delivering a powerful message rooted in hope and faith, Fr. D’Souza encouraged students to look beyond academics and embrace a holistic approach to learning. He emphasized that education is not merely about examinations but about nurturing communication skills, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity—qualities essential for facing the wider challenges of life. His words inspired the gathering to work together as a community and translate values into meaningful action.

Following the Mass, the programme continued with the felicitation of meritorious students from the Self-Financed Departments of the 2024–25 batch, celebrating their hard work and academic excellence. The institution also honoured Ms. Jacqueline Monteiro, a dedicated faculty member, on the occasion of her retirement, recognising her valuable contributions to the college over the years.

Adding vibrancy to the celebrations, the College Students Council hosted the annual “Socials”, featuring this year’s glamorous theme—The Red Carpet. Students participated enthusiastically, showcasing creativity and spirit. The event concluded with the crowning of Mr. Xavier 2025, awarded to Mr. Yash Pawar of T.Y.B.Com, and Ms. Xavier 2025, awarded to Ms. Aloma Saldanha of T.Y.B.Sc.

The honours were conferred by Officiating Principal Ms. Ursula Barreto and Administrator Fr. Tony Salema, adding prestige to the grand celebration. The day reflected the college’s rich tradition, vibrant student community, and commitment to holistic development.

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St. Xavier’s College, Department of Psychology Celebrates Mental Health Day 2025: ‘Pathway to Support’

Tanisha Cardozo

On October 9, 2025, the Department of Psychology at St. Xavier’s College came together to host an engaging and impactful Mental Health Day celebration under the thoughtful theme “Pathway to Support: Because Every Mind Matters.” This annual initiative aimed to create awareness, spark meaningful dialogue, and promote emotional well-being among students, aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goal 3 – which advocates for good health and well-being for all, with an emphasis on mental health.

The day began with a warm and encouraging welcome by Dr. Eulalia Fernandes, the event coordinator, who was ably supported by student leaders Bethany Fernandes and Destiny D’Souza. Their meticulous planning and hands-on involvement helped shape the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere of the event. The presence of college dignitaries – Principal Ms. Ursula Barreto, Administrator Fr. Tony Salema, and Vice Principal Prof. Felipe Rodrigues e Melo – highlighted the institution’s strong commitment to fostering a mentally healthy campus.

The event featured a powerful mime performance that visually captured the struggles and hopes associated with mental health. This was followed by an engaging Open Mic session, offering students a platform to share stories, poems, and reflections in a safe and welcoming space. Certificates were also distributed to participants of a previously held poster-making competition, celebrating student creativity and awareness efforts. A keynote address by Fr. Tony Salema added depth to the occasion, as he shared insights on building a supportive and understanding environment for all.

As the day unfolded, interactive and reflective activities lined the college lobby, transforming it into a space of learning, sharing, and joy. The “Ping Pong Trivia” added a fun twist to mental health facts, while “Pop Your Insecurities” invited students to symbolically let go of their worries. The Art Table provided a space for creative self-expression, and the “Take What You Need” corner offered affirmation cards promoting hope, strength, and kindness. Activities like “Inside Out: Sorting Emotions,” the Affirmation Mirror, Mehendi Table, and Sticker Counter further enhanced self-awareness, relaxation, and peer connection.

The celebration concluded on a vibrant note with a high-energy flash mob that brought smiles and unity to the crowd, leaving behind a lasting reminder that mental health is not just personal, but communal.

Mental Health Day 2025 at St. Xavier’s College was not only a celebration, but a call to action — encouraging everyone to care for themselves and each other. The event successfully blended education, empathy, and entertainment, proving that even small moments of connection, creativity, and conversation can pave the way to a stronger, healthier community.

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VMSCL Celebrates 2 Years of “Beyond The Syllabus” with Power-Packed Open Mic

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Panaji, Goa – July 7, 2025 – V. M. Salgaocar College of Law (VMSCL), Miramar, celebrated the second anniversary of its trailblazing student initiative Beyond the Syllabus with a vibrant Open Mic competition, held at its Panaji campus.

Themed “Your Stage, Your Original Voice,” the evening saw an impressive array of performances by law students who expressed themselves through poetry, stand-up comedy, monologues, and original music. The sole rule? 100% originality—making the event an authentic reflection of the students’ thoughts and creativity.

The competition wasn’t just about applause—it was about impact. A democratic audience voting system via Google Forms determined the winners. Each attendee rated the acts, and the average scores crowned the top three performers.

🎤 Winners List:

  • 🥇 Kaushal Bathia – Scored an impressive 8.46/10
  • 🥈 Saloni Sanjay Haldankar – First Runner-Up
  • 🥉 Akansha Chari – Second Runner-Up

All performers received participation certificates, and the top three were awarded cash prizes. Faculty members including Priscilla Fernandes, Siddesh Tari, and Ramrai Naik felicitated the winners, joined by dignitaries Prof. Bhaskar Nayak, Dr. Sonal Sardessai, and Mr. Sachin Panicker.

The event’s success was driven by a dynamic student committee led by Achal Candolkar, Nidhi Gawade, Arya Nadkarni, Shraddha Yadav, Joshua Desouza, Priya Shirodkar, Devanshi Harmalkar, and Saisha Mandrekar, under the guidance of Principal Prof. Shaber Ali and faculty coordinator Mr. Ramrai Naik.

By encouraging authentic self-expression and community engagement, the event stood as a powerful symbol of VMSCL’s commitment to holistic student development. As the Beyond the Syllabus initiative enters its third year, VMSCL continues to empower students with platforms that value creativity, courage, and originality.

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St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa NSS unit Commemorates Plantation Drive – “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0”

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The NSS Unit of St. Xavier’s College – Mapusa, organized a plantation drive beginning on on 30th June 2025 until 7th July 2025 commemorating the initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0”, which encouraged NSS volunteers to plant a sapling in honour of their mothers.

The event began with a brief introduction by the NSS Chief Programme Officer, Dr. Rheane Da Silva who highlighted the significance of the campaign and its message of environmental responsibility and gratitude toward motherhood. The plantation drive was formally inaugurated by the dignitaries of the college. The first sapling was planted by the Administrator, Rev. Fr. Tony Salema, followed by Acting Principal, Ms. Ursula Barreto. The Vice Principal, Prof. Filipe Rodrigues e Melo, carried out the third plantation. Guest of Honour, Mr. Vincy Quatros, a renowned Konkani writer planted a sapling, expressing his support for the cause. Dr.Raina of GVM’s Ponda enthusiastically participated in the plantation drive.

The Programme Officers, Dr. Rheane Da Silva, Mr. Sujay Rane and Mr. Rahul Naik along with the college gardeners Mr. Satish and Mr. Dessai alongside 35 NSS volunteers planted the saplings with active enthusiasm. In total, 70 saplings were planted during the drive. The sapling varieties included Badam (Almond), Gulmohar, Mango, Jackfruit, Cashew, Awla, Techoma and other native species suitable for the terrain.

The plantation was carried out in specific areas of the campus, including the periphery of the college sports ground and along the pathways to encourage shade in the future. These locations were selected to ensure the long-term visibility and the long term impact of trees to maintain a cooler temperature on campus.

To ensure proper maintenance, each sapling has been assigned to a dedicated pair of NSS volunteers who will take care of the plants throughout the year. The plantation drive concluded successfully, marking a meaningful contribution to both environmental preservation and the emotional spirit behind the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” initiative.