Tag: Goa Colleges

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Converge 3.0: Goa’s Academia–Industry Summit Showcases Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Young Talent

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji: The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), in collaboration with the Goa State Higher Education Council, successfully organised Converge 3.0 – Shiksha Udyog Sangam, a month-long Academia–Industry Summit held across Goa from January 29 to February 23, 2026. The initiative concluded with a grand finale at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium.


Held under the theme “Innovate, Integrate, Impact: Building Goa’s Future-Ready Changemakers,” Converge 3.0 emerged as a dynamic state-level movement aimed at bridging academia and industry, fostering entrepreneurship and preparing students for a rapidly evolving global economy.

Director of Higher Education Bhushan Savoikar welcomed over 3,500 students at the finale, while Dr. Niyan Marchon, Program Director, DHE and Convenor of Converge, outlined the vision and future roadmap of the initiative.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant graced the event as Chief Guest and emphasised the importance of integrating quality education with skill development, innovation in classrooms and entrepreneurship during college years. He highlighted the government’s continued support in shaping Converge into a flagship platform for the state.

Converge 3.0 witnessed participation from more than 15,000 students representing 50 colleges across disciplines including general education, engineering, pharmacy, architecture, nursing, fine arts and music. Over 300 entrepreneurs, startup mentors and industry leaders conducted sessions, workshops and panel discussions during the month-long programme.
33 Young Entrepreneurs from colleges across Goa
Student-led innovation stalls and prototype exhibitions

An AI Hackathon
The Innovative Idea Challenge (IIC), with 122 teams (around 300 students) from 40 colleges

The top three winners of the Innovative Idea Challenge were
1st Place: DMC College, Mapusa
2nd Place: PCCE, Verna
3rd Place: Dhempe College, Panjim
The summit also recognised participants of the Young Innovators Challenge (Poster & Prototype), celebrating projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The inaugural keynote address was delivered by Santosh Mishra (IG Defence), encouraging students to innovate with national purpose. A panel discussion moderated by Mangirish Salelkar, President of the Goa Technology Association (GTA), featured experts including Dr. Satya Ranjan Acharya (EDII), Swetha Susan Elias (Google Mumbai), Vatsal Sheth (Prismix Studios) and Ganesh Chari (Neshaju Envirotech Pvt. Ltd.), focusing on digital innovation, sustainability and strengthening industry–academia partnerships.

Cultural performances added vibrancy to the event, including a traditional Shigmo presentation by Caculo College, a short film by Kala Academy, a mime performance by Government College, Quepem, gymnastics by Government College, Pernem and an acapella performance by St. Xavier’s College.

In January 2026, Converge received the prestigious SKOCH Award for Academic Excellence and Professional Empowerment, recognising its transformative impact.

Building on this success, the Directorate of Higher Education plans to expand Converge 4.0 to 65 colleges and invite premier institutes from across India, aiming to transform it into a nationwide innovation-driven platform.

Converge 3.0 stands not merely as a summit but as a movement reflecting Goa’s commitment to nurturing future-ready changemakers through education, innovation and enterprise.

EduConnect

GVM’s Ponda College Wins Big at Abhiuday 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

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.

EduConnect

Kilowott Strengthens Industry-Academia Collaboration Through Interactive Campus Roadshows Across Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Kilowott, the Goa-based global digital transformation firm, recently completed a series of interactive campus roadshows across some of the state’s leading colleges, marking a significant step forward in strengthening industry-academia engagement. The initiative was designed to familiarize students with real-world recruitment practices, assessment processes and evolving career opportunities in the IT and technology sectors. Through a combination of interactive sessions, logical reasoning tests and psychometric assessments, students received practical exposure to the expectations and demands of the modern digital workplace.

During these engagements, Kilowott signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with St. Xavier’s College and the Goa College of Arts, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building long-term academic partnerships. These MoUs pave the way for workshops, training programs, internships and potential placement avenues, creating structured pathways for students to connect with industry needs. The roadshows collectively engaged more than 700 students across campuses including St. Xavier’s College, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Goa University, S.R.I.E.I.T College Shiroda, PCCE Verna, AITD Assagao and the Goa College of Arts. Faculty participation played an essential role in facilitating meaningful discussions between academic leaders and the Kilowott team on the alignment of curriculum with contemporary industry standards.

The high turnout at institutions such as AITD Assagao, which hosted 149 students, and Don Bosco College of Engineering, with 103 participants, reflected the growing interest among students in understanding recruitment dynamics, employability skills and the broader landscape of the digital economy. Students from varied disciplines—including Computer Engineering, IT, Electronics and Telecommunication, BBA, BCA, Mass Communication, MCA, MSc Data Science and Fine Arts—benefited from the initiative. Many expressed appreciation for the company’s focus on mentorship, leadership development and design-driven digital solutions.

Faculty members, including Vanessa Zita Furtado, Ruella D’Souza, Dr. Norman Dias, Teja Kundaikar, Prof. Manjusha Sanke, Razia de Loyola Furtado e Sardinha and Prof. Maria Ferreira, supported the sessions, further enriching the experience by enabling active dialogue on industry readiness and academic enhancement. Kilowott also held exploratory meetings with representatives from Don Bosco College Panjim and Parvatibai Chowgule College to discuss future collaborations.

The company highlighted that these roadshows are part of its broader DRIVE initiative—Develop, Ready, Inspire, Validate and Empower—an effort dedicated to preparing students for the rapidly evolving demands of the digital era. By combining industry insights with hands-on learning, Kilowott aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that Goa’s future workforce is equipped with the skills, confidence and exposure needed to thrive in a technology-driven global environment. Headquartered in Goa and operating across Asia, North America and Europe, Kilowott continues to partner with governments, Fortune 500 companies and startups worldwide to deliver digital strategy, development and design expertise. Its ongoing engagement with academic institutions reflects a long-term commitment to nurturing talent and empowering students with meaningful opportunities for growth and success.

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St. Xavier’s College Chemistry Students Visit NCPOR for Hands-on Scientific Learning

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Chemistry at St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa, organized a field visit for its TYBSc students to the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Vasco-da-Gama, Goa, on 16th October 2025. The visit offered students a first-hand experience of India’s leading research institution dedicated to polar and ocean studies.

Students were warmly welcomed by NCPOR scientists, who introduced them to the institution’s primary mandates, including the Indian Antarctic and Arctic Programs and Southern Ocean studies. The interaction sessions provided students valuable insights into how India contributes to global research on climate change, oceanography, and polar ecosystems.

During the guided tour, students explored several advanced laboratories such as the SEM-EDS Lab, Polar Biology Lab, Geology Lab, and Cryobiology Lab, where they learned about the cutting-edge instruments used in environmental and oceanic research. Faculty members accompanying the students highlighted the educational importance of linking theoretical chemistry concepts with real-world applications in polar science.

Fascinated by the experience, many students expressed interest in pursuing summer and winter research projects at NCPOR. The visit not only deepened their understanding of applied chemistry but also inspired them to consider careers in research and environmental science.

The field trip was coordinated by Mr. Mahesh Nair, faculty member of the Department of Chemistry, under the mentorship of Ms. Kathleen Pinto, Head of Department. The initiative reflects St. Xavier’s College’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning and academic exposure beyond the classroom.

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Don Bosco College, Panjim Hosts ‘Psyrenity’ – A Celebration of Mental Health Awareness

Tanisha Cardozo

The B.A. Department of Psychology at Don Bosco College, Panjim, organized “Psyrenity – A Celebration of Mental Health Awareness” on October 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The festival served as a platform to promote positivity, self-expression, and emotional well-being through an engaging blend of creative stalls, games, and interactive experiences that encouraged reflection on mental health.

The event featured several unique and thought-provoking activities, including “Pop Your Insecurities,” where participants symbolically released their self-doubts; “Compliment Booth,” which spread smiles through kind words; “Knock Out the Negativity,” a fun stress-relief game; and “Express to Destress,” a space for artistic and emotional expression. One of the highlights of the day was the special fundraising canteen titled “Mood Foods,” themed around the link between food and emotions — blending nourishment with awareness.

The festival was organized under the guidance of Director Fr. Kinley D’Cruz, Principal Dr. Cedric Silveira, and Dr. Vijay Viegas, Head of the Department of Psychology, along with Ms. Grebian Alemao (College Counsellor), Ms. Nerissa Zuzarte (Faculty Coordinator), and Assistant Professors Ms. Andrea D’Souza and Ms. Tabitha Nunes. Students from all three years of the B.A. Psychology program worked with great enthusiasm to design and host the stalls, ensuring every visitor left inspired and smiling.

Psyrenity witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty across various departments, creating a campus-wide spirit of positivity and unity. The event served as a gentle reminder that mental health matters — and that small acts of kindness, understanding, and self-care can have a powerful ripple effect.

With its creative and compassionate approach, Psyrenity reflected Don Bosco College’s ongoing commitment to promoting holistic well-being, empathy, and emotional growth within its academic community. The celebration concluded with laughter, reflection, and a renewed awareness that nurturing mental health is a joyful and collective responsibility.