Tag: DITEC

TechPulse

Goa Launches #EmpoweredInGoa Campaign to Celebrate Digital Empowerment and Innovation

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered and innovation-driven state has taken another significant leap with the launch of the #EmpoweredInGoa campaign by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C).

As the State evolves beyond its traditional image as a tourist destination, this new campaign celebrates how technology, entrepreneurship, and inclusion are transforming lives and creating opportunities for every Goan.

Speaking about the campaign, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte, said, “The biggest strength of Goa lies in its people. With #EmpoweredInGoa, we are not just highlighting the digital advancements the State is undertaking, but we are creating opportunities that allow every citizen to participate in the State’s digital journey. This campaign is about celebrating how people are using technology to build, learn and create, and we want every Goan to be part of this transformation and shape the State’s future together.”

The #EmpoweredInGoa movement showcases how innovation and connectivity are redefining empowerment—through access to public services, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity. From enabling new businesses and startups to expanding e-governance and upskilling citizens, Goa is positioning itself as a state where digital progress meets human potential.

The DITE&C has implemented several initiatives that reflect this vision. The Har Ghar Fibre project is bringing high-speed internet to every household, while the Gramin Mitra program ensures senior citizens can access government schemes conveniently. Free WiFi hotspots and the IT Knowledge Centres are equipping citizens with essential digital skills.

Highlighting the campaign’s inclusive focus, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, said, “Empowerment begins with access to technology, opportunities and knowledge, and our department is committed to delivering this. Through initiatives like the Mahila Digital Sashaktikaran Yojana (MDSY), IT Knowledge Centres, and Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for Meritorious SC/ST Students, we are ensuring digital literacy reaches even the remotest corners of Goa.”

Goa’s dynamic startup ecosystem also plays a central role in this empowerment narrative. Guided by the Goa Startup Policy 2025, founders are benefitting from infrastructure, seed funding, and mentoring support. Programs like the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 and the upcoming Goa Startup Accelerator, a five-month program, are further strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.

As Goa continues to embrace digital transformation, the #EmpoweredInGoa campaign captures the essence of this journey—where technology is a bridge to opportunity, and empowerment is both inclusive and participatory. The initiative positions Goa as India’s Creative Capital, a place where progress is driven by people, powered by technology, and shaped by shared purpose.

TechPulse

Young Innovators Bring Goa’s Creative Capital Vision to Life at Maker’s Asylum

allycaralgoa

Panaji, July 12, 2025: Goa is emerging as a creative hub where technology meets imagination, grounded in community, collaboration and purpose-driven innovation. This evolving identity aligns with the vision of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, whose efforts are driving Goa’s transformation into an innovation-led state.

Reflecting this vision at the grassroots, Maker’s Asylum has been welcoming young people from across the world to Goa for its immersive & hands-on learning experiences & programs since 2021. 753 young people, from 15 countries, 150 schools and 50 cities across India have had the taste of the maker culture and immersed themselves in creativity and innovation through their space in Goa. This summer Maker’s Asylum hosted five dynamic immersions of its flagship program, Innovation School, at its campus in Moira. The program has welcomed 77 young makers (aged 13–18), representing 5 countries, 30+ schools and 15 cities across India and beyond. Over the course of the last two months, these students grouped into 24 teams, engaged in design thinking and rapid prototyping to address real-world challenges. From drones for emergency healthcare delivery to AI-powered wearables and assistive tech devices for the differently-abled, the teams built 24 working prototypes, demonstrating both technical skills and interdisciplinary learning.

Participants over the years have received mentorship from the likes of experts such as Ramesh Raskar, Associate Director MIT Media Lab, Jaideep Prabhu – Vice Dean Judge School of Business Cambridge, Niti Parikh – Director Learning Spaces & Makerlabs at Cornell Tech and many other from IIT Bombay, NID Ahmedabad, and leading startups, supported by Maker’s Asylum’s in-house curriculum and technical team.

“When we moved to Goa in 2020, we discovered that beyond its natural beauty, Goa is emerging as a vibrant hub for creativity, hands-on learning, and technological innovation. Known for attracting artists, makers, and changemakers, Goa has become the perfect home for Maker’s Asylum. Through our space in Moira, we’ve welcomed young minds from across India to dive into experiential learning — from carpentry, 3D printing, electronics, and AI, to robotics, drones, and laser cutting. It’s about empowering the next generation to build, create, and innovate in an environment that fuels both imagination and impact.” — Vaibhav Chhabra, Founder, Maker’s Asylum

Maker’s Asylum reflects Goa’s growing identity as a Creative Capital for meaningful tech and hands-on education. Its ethos resonates with the state’s upcoming Centre of Excellence for 3D Printing, which will bring together startups, healthcare professionals, students, government departments, and industries to collaborate and co-create.
By nurturing a maker mindset and providing access to tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics, programs like this are laying the foundation for a future-ready innovation ecosystem in Goa.

To celebrate the students’ achievements and invite broader community participation, Maker’s Asylum will host two open events at its Moira campus. The first, a Repair Café on July 12 from 6:00 PM onwards, is being held in collaboration with the Repair Café Foundation (Bangalore). It is a hands-on sustainability initiative where attendees can bring broken household items and learn repair skills alongside mentors and student makers. The second, a Final Open House on July 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, will showcase the breakthrough projects developed during the program and offer a firsthand look at what young minds can accomplish when given the right tools and creative freedom. Both events are open to the public.

Applications are also now open for the Spring & Summer 2026 cohorts of Innovation School by Maker’s Asylum.

This initiative reflects the Department’s long-term vision of shaping Goa into India’s Creative Capital and Innovation Hub — a place where experiential learning and technological creativity go hand in hand.

TechPulse

Goa Concludes ‘Bridging Horizons’ with a Strong Push for Industry-Academia Collaboration

allycaralgoa

Panaji, July 2025: The Valedictory Session of Bridging Horizons: A Confluence of Industry, Institute & Innovation, organised by ASSOCHAM Goa State Development Council in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), marked the culmination of a high-impact dialogue focused on shaping Goa’s innovation ecosystem.

The event brought together leaders from academia, corporate industry, startups, and government to identify tangible strategies for enhancing synergy between educational institutes and the industrial sector. With a clear focus on skill development, research translation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, the valedictory session captured actionable insights and commitments.

Key highlights included:

  • Strengthening industry-led curriculum and faculty development.
  • Enhancing student internship pipelines and collaborative R&D opportunities.
  • Leveraging state initiatives like Goa Start-up Policy and Goa Tech Vision 2030.
  • Enabling infrastructure support and regulatory ease for MSMEs and tech startups.

Speaking at the event, representatives from DITE&C reaffirmed the Government of Goa’s focus on positioning the state as a hub for innovation, powered by partnerships across stakeholders. “The future of Goa lies in building knowledge-driven collaborations,” said a senior official.

ASSOCHAM Goa leaders emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue between institutions and enterprises. “We’re proud to catalyse a platform where ideas can grow into impact. Today’s discussions set the tone for sustained innovation,” they noted.

The Bridging Horizons series, throughout its sessions, has become a meaningful platform for advancing the convergence of knowledge, skills, and enterprise in Goa. As it draws to a close, it leaves behind a renewed momentum for industry-academia-government partnerships—paving the way for a smarter, more connected Goa.