Tag: edtech

EduConnect

St. Xavier’s College Hosts Six-Day Faculty Development Programme on OER and AI in Teaching and Research

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa organized a six-day Faculty Development Programme on “Open Educational Resources and Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Research” from October 18–24, 2025. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Gervasio S. F. L. Mendes, Additional Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, with Fr. Marianno Dias, Assistant to the Secretary, Diocesan Society of Education, as Guest of Honour. Also present were Dr. Osborne Terrence Dsouza, CEO and Co-Founder of Juana Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Officiating Principal Ms. Ursula Barreto, and Administrator Rev. Fr. Antonio Salema.

Prof. Mendes, in his keynote address, praised the college for conducting a timely programme, highlighting how artificial intelligence and open educational resources are reshaping higher education. The first two days of the FDP were led by Dr. Osborne D’Souza, who introduced participants to prompt engineering and demonstrated platforms including ChatGPT, Gamma.app, and Elicit.com for academic presentations and research. He also recommended Microsoft’s AI for Educators programme and emphasized the need for educators to upskill to adapt to emerging technologies.

On the third day, Dr. Gaurang Patkar, Professor and Head of Computer Engineering at Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, conducted sessions on AI-powered leadership, neural networks, and tools such as Socrative, Plicker, and Canva AI. He encouraged faculty to use AI as a co-pilot to enhance creativity and demonstrated Python-based exercises in machine learning and deep learning.

Day four featured actor and voice artist Mr. Ashwin Mushran, who delivered an engaging session titled “Million Dollar Presence,” emphasizing effective communication, warmth, and capability in creating a strong educator presence.

The final two days were facilitated by Prof. Santhosh Kumar G of Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, and Prof. S. Senthilnathan, Director (In-charge), UGC-MMTTC, Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu. Prof. Santhosh focused on student-centered learning, demonstrating tools like Vids, QuestionWell, Notebook LM, and AI Studio, along with hands-on activities for lesson planning and quizzes. Prof. Senthilnathan introduced faculty to OER platforms including LOC, NDLI, SWAYAM, MIT OCW, MOOCs, Virtual Labs, Khan Academy, podcasts, and blogs.

The valedictory session was graced by Joshua D’Souza, Deputy Speaker and alumnus, who praised the FDP as a game-changer for educators. The programme received positive feedback from both internal and external participants, reflecting the college’s commitment to equipping faculty with modern pedagogical tools to enhance teaching, learning, and research.

EduConnect

Asymmetrical Learning Partners with CECC to Bring U.S. Collegiate Esports ‘May Madness’ to India

Tanisha Cardozo

The Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) incubated Asymmetrical Learning, led by Siddharth Rahalkar, has announced a landmark partnership with the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) to bring the U.S. collegiate esports phenomenon, May Madness, to India. The collaboration marks the first international licensing deal for CECC’s operator, the Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), and aims to establish a structured collegiate esports ecosystem across Indian schools and universities.

In a statement, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), clarified, “The concern is not with esports, but with money-based gaming. Esports represent skill, discipline, and digital learning—not gambling. Through the new law, our aim is to create a clear national framework that supports competitive gaming and educational innovation.”

The move comes as India strengthens its policy and regulatory frameworks for the gaming sector through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which officially recognizes esports as a legitimate sport. The new act has created an environment that encourages innovation and legitimizes organized gaming competitions.

Siddharth Rahalkar, Founder of Asymmetrical Learning, said, “Our partnership with CSMG allows us to bring organized collegiate esports to students nationwide. Recognizing esports as a competitive sport enables us to design tournaments that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy—skills essential for success in modern education and careers.”

The collaboration will mark the first global expansion of CECC, North America’s largest collegiate esports championship, which brings together university-level gamers in structured tournaments. The Indian edition aims to mirror this success by nurturing an ecosystem that supports scholastic esports from high school to college level.

Incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, one of India’s leading startup accelerators, Asymmetrical Learning benefits from mentorship, research support, and an innovation-driven community. The company’s parent organization, Acceler Edtech Pvt. Ltd., is registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The partnership between Asymmetrical Learning and CECC highlights the growing convergence between education, gaming, and technology, while fostering cross-border collaboration between India and the U.S. It reinforces esports as a tool for digital learning and global skill development—positioning India as a rising force in the international esports landscape.

EduConnect

PhysicsWallah (PW) Opens Info Centres in Panaji and Margao for JEE & NEET Counselling

Tanisha Cardozo

Education company PhysicsWallah (PW) has expanded its offline presence in Goa with the opening of new PW Info Centres in Panaji and Margao. The initiative aims to provide local students with access to quality counselling and guidance for JEE and NEET preparation.

The new facilities, located at Patto Plaza in Panjim and The Osia Mall in Margao, will operate daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. These centres serve as a one-stop destination for information related to admissions, registration, and financial aid for PW courses. Students can also receive personalised counselling, including study strategies, exam tips, and guidance on the right academic path.

According to Ankit Gupta, CEO of Vidyapeeth Offline, PhysicsWallah, “The opening of the PW Info Centres in Panaji and Margao reflects our commitment to providing students in this region with access to educational guidance without needing to travel far. We plan to integrate the Info Centres with new Vidyapeeth centres in the same area soon.”

The launch comes alongside PW’s National Scholarship Cum Admission Test (PWNSAT 2025), an initiative to support NEET-UG and IIT-JEE aspirants from diverse financial backgrounds. The free exam, open to students from Class V to XII, will be held both online and offline.

The new Info Centres are expected to benefit students from regions such as Porvorim, Bambolim, Mapusa, Valpoi, Vasco, Quepem, and Canacona, ensuring that quality academic counselling is accessible throughout Goa.

Through this expansion, PhysicsWallah continues to strengthen its mission of making high-quality education accessible, affordable, and inclusive across India.

EduConnect

Vibrant Goa Foundation Hosts High-Level Zimbabwe Delegation for Education and Innovation Exchange

Tanisha Cardozo

Vibrant Goa Foundation, as part of its flagship Global Knowledge Outreach initiative, played host to a high-level educational delegation from Zimbabwe on the 8th of September, marking a significant milestone in fostering global collaborations in the fields of education, technology, and innovation. The visiting delegation was led by Mr. Moses Mhike, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, accompanied by Mrs. Olicah Kaira, Chief Director – Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education, and Mrs. Ashell Ruswa, CEO of Errymaple Group of Schools in Zvishavane. The visit was coordinated by Mr. Yogesh Kerkar, Managing Director of Qurious Minds, an emerging force in global educational exchange and innovation consulting.

The event, held as an Educational Round Table, brought together an array of influential voices from Goa’s academic and innovation ecosystem. Representing the Vibrant Goa Foundation were trustees Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, Mr. Arman Bankley, Mr. Manoj Patil, Mr. Vinay Verma, Mr. Rasik Naik, Mr. Dinesh Dhulapkar, Mr. Ajay Gramopadhya, Mr. Gautam Kharangate, and Mr. Milind Anvekar. Also participating were eminent representatives from Goa University, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Dhempo College, MES College, Directorate of Higher Education, Goa Institute of Management, Government Polytechnic and other leading institutions, making this gathering a truly collaborative one.

The discussions were vibrant and focused on a broad range of educational themes including the adoption of EdTech tools, STEM learning, GIS, Robotics, Drones, Learning Management Systems, and ICT solutions. The Zimbabwean delegation expressed deep appreciation for Goa’s forward-looking efforts in integrating technology at the school and university levels. The event served as a dynamic platform to explore synergies and initiate meaningful collaborations between Zimbabwe’s education system and Goa’s innovation-driven institutions.

A highlight of the discussion was the mutual recognition of the potential for long-term partnership, with Mr. Moses Mhike acknowledging the practical and strategic value of the knowledge shared during the visit. He emphasized that Zimbabwe sees Goa as a potential partner in transforming its own educational landscape. Adding to the momentum, Mr. Yogesh Kerkar noted that Qurious Minds has already embarked on a collaborative project with a Zimbabwean entity—evidence of how dialogues are translating into action.

The delegation also took note of the recent success of the Amazing Goa Summit, which further cemented Goa’s image as a global hub for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Rajkumar Kamat concluded the session with a forward-looking invitation to the delegates to participate in the forthcoming Global Tech Summit and Global Business Expo & Summit 2026.

This initiative reflects Vibrant Goa Foundation’s vision of driving Goa’s global engagement, supporting startups and educational institutions to expand internationally, and creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation-led growth. The collaboration with Zimbabwe stands as a model for future partnerships, enabling the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and innovation that transcends borders.

EduConnect

Workshop on AI Tools in Education Held at Goa Multi-Faculty College

Tanisha Cardozo

SPES’s Shri Gopal Gaonkar Memorial Goa Multi-Faculty College, in association with TLSC Dharbandora and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), organized a thought-provoking and hands-on workshop on AI Tools in Education. The event was designed to engage and educate high school and higher secondary students and teachers on the emerging role of artificial intelligence in academic settings.

The workshop was inaugurated by Hon’ble MLA Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC, who shared his vision of future-ready education in Goa. In his address, Dr. Gaonkar emphasized the urgent need to integrate modern technology, especially AI tools, into daily teaching and learning practices. He encouraged teachers to adopt new digital methods to improve classroom engagement and effectiveness and motivated students to explore AI as a powerful tool for self-learning and creativity.

The session included demonstrations of various AI-based tools and platforms that can assist in content creation, personalized learning, evaluation, and virtual collaboration. Experts and facilitators guided participants through interactive examples showing how AI is transforming education across the globe.

With enthusiastic participation from both teachers and students, the workshop served as an inspiring introduction to the limitless possibilities AI offers in education. It also reinforced the college’s commitment to fostering innovation, digital literacy, and forward-thinking approaches in Goa’s academic ecosystem.

The event concluded with a message of continued collaboration and learning, encouraging all attendees to stay curious and proactive in adapting to the evolving technological landscape of education.