Tag: Higher Education

EduConnect

Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College Honoured with ‘Inspiring Educational Institution Award 2026’

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

DCT’s Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College (Autonomous), Cujira, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Inspiring Educational Institution Award 2026,’ presented biennially by the Vibrant Goa Foundation, in recognition of its exceptional contributions to education, skills development, industry engagement and societal impact.

The award was conferred by Shri Mauvin Godinho, Hon’ble Minister of Industries, Government of Goa, acknowledging the institution’s consistent efforts in redefining higher education through innovation, academic excellence and holistic development.

Under the leadership of Principal Prof. (Dr.) Manoj S. Kamat and Administrator Shri Rajesh Bhatikar, the college has achieved significant milestones by effectively leveraging its autonomous status. Over the past few years, the institution has introduced innovative programmes in commerce, economics, management, artificial intelligence and aviation, while actively promoting research, entrepreneurship and skill development. The college has also hosted national-level initiatives such as business hackathons and has supported the creation of new start-ups.

The institution has recorded strong performance in student placements, academic achievements and awards, while building meaningful industry collaborations and partnerships that contribute to the overall development of students. These initiatives have played a key role in enhancing employability, leadership skills and real-world exposure among learners.

Shri Shrinivas Dempo, Chairman of Dempo Charities Trust, and Smt. Pallavi Dempo, Trustee, expressed pride in the college’s progress and reaffirmed that its growth aligns closely with the Trust’s vision of excellence, innovation and service to society.

Principal Prof. (Dr.) Manoj S. Kamat attributed the recognition to the collective efforts of the teaching and non-teaching staff, enthusiastic students, supportive parents and the dynamic management of Dempo Charities Trust under the leadership of Shri Shrinivas Dempo and Smt. Pallavi Dempo. He noted that the award serves as motivation to continue serving Goa with greater dedication and commitment to quality education.

Managed by Dempo Charities Trust, Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College is a premier institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in commerce, economics and management, with a strong focus on academic rigour, innovation and the holistic development of students.

EduConnect

Brain Box Institute Honours Young Achievers at Annual Award-Giving Ceremony in Assolna

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Brain Box Institute organised its Annual Award-Giving Ceremony in Assolna to recognise and celebrate academic excellence and dedication among students from various schools in the surrounding region. The event witnessed the presence of educators, parents, students, and distinguished guests, creating an atmosphere of pride and encouragement for young achievers.

The programme commenced with a prayer led by Reverend Fr. Romeo Godinho and Fr. Myron Fernandes, followed by the rendition of the National Anthem. The Chief Guest for the occasion, Dr. Dipak C. S. Gaitonde, Chairman of the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Goa, was warmly welcomed and felicitated upon his arrival. The ceremony was further graced by the presence of the Honourable MLA of Velim Constituency, Mr. Cruz Silva, along with parish representatives, adding significance to the gathering.

While introducing the Chief Guest, speakers highlighted Dr. Gaitonde’s distinguished journey as an academician, environmental scientist, and administrator, underlining his contributions to education and environmental governance in the state. His presence served as an inspiration to both students and educators in attendance.

The audience was also briefed on the history of the Brain Box Scholarship Award, an initiative instituted by Mr. Anthony D’Silva, Director of Brain Box Institute, in loving memory of his late parents. What began as a modest effort supporting students from a single school has steadily grown over the years and now benefits deserving students from eleven schools in the vicinity.

Adding a cultural dimension to the ceremony, a musical performance by Ms. Jazel was presented, drawing appreciation from the audience. The highlight of the event was the award distribution ceremony, conducted by Dr. Gaitonde, where students were recognised for their perseverance, discipline, and academic achievements.

In his address, the Chief Guest encouraged students to pursue excellence with dedication, integrity, and a sense of responsibility, emphasising the importance of education in shaping both individual futures and society at large. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr. Anthony D’Silva, marking the successful culmination of an inspiring and meaningful celebration of learning and achievement.

EduConnect

Bhutan and Morocco Seek IIT Campuses as India’s Education Model Gains Global Demand

allycaralgoa

New Delhi, December 2025: India’s globally acclaimed technical education system continues to attract international attention, with Bhutan and Morocco formally requesting the establishment of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) campuses in their countries. Government sources confirmed that the proposals are part of a growing interest among nations seeking to replicate India’s successful higher education model.

The requests come on the heels of two landmark developments — the inauguration of IIT Madras in Zanzibar in November 2023 and the launch of IIT Delhi’s campus in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. These international campuses mark a significant shift in India’s education diplomacy and align with the country’s long-term goal of attracting one million international students by 2040.

The expansion of IITs overseas is a key component of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to internationalise Indian education and position the country as a global knowledge hub. Supporters of the initiative view the growing demand as a testament to the strength of the ‘Brand IIT’, widely regarded for its academic rigour, innovation, and contribution to global technology and research.

However, the move has also sparked debate domestically. While many celebrate the IITs’ global recognition, critics argue that India must first address challenges within its own institutions, including infrastructure gaps, faculty shortages, and the need to boost research output.

Despite differing opinions, the interest from Bhutan and Morocco highlights the IITs’ strong global reputation and reflects India’s rising influence in shaping international education frameworks. As discussions progress, the proposed campuses could further strengthen India’s role as a leading exporter of quality education and technical expertise.

TechPulse

upGrad School of Technology Partners with SSAHE to Drive Industry-Linked Innovation on Campus

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education (SSAHE), Karnataka’s Deemed-to-be-University, has announced a strategic collaboration with upGrad School of Technology to embed an industry-aligned School of Technology within the university’s existing engineering programmes. The initiative aims to strengthen academic delivery by integrating application-first learning, research exposure and industry relevance from the very start of a student’s academic journey.

Under the collaboration, upGrad School of Technology, led by CEO Vishwa Mohan and Chief Revenue and Outcome Officer Mehul Khandhedia, will provide academic and curriculum advisory support while enabling deeper industry integration across SSAHE’s engineering framework. The approach includes research exposure, build sprints and continuous specialisations supported by AI-first learning technologies that deliver personalised learning pathways, real-time skill tracking and enhanced academic support.

Building on its experience in job-focused technology education, upGrad School of Technology will strengthen SSAHE’s engineering curriculum with practitioner-led modules in emerging fields such as Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics and Full Stack Engineering. Students will gain hands-on experience through extensive coding practice, project-based learning and structured industry-linked opportunities designed to foster product thinking and early exposure to real-world tech roles.

The initiative is being driven under the leadership of SSAHE Chancellor and Karnataka Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara, who described the collaboration as a transformative step for the institution. He said the partnership would bring global education standards and innovation-driven learning to SSAHE campuses, preparing students to lead India’s next wave of technological advancement. Advisor to the Chancellor, Dr Vivek Veeraiah, added that the collaboration would seamlessly integrate industry-driven, application-first learning to ensure graduates are future-ready technologists.

In later phases, students will gain access to prototyping labs, seed-support channels and masterclasses by global founders and CTOs, enabling them to ideate, build and validate ventures within the university’s innovation ecosystem. The initiative promises three key outcomes: opportunities to work with leading global technology companies, structured entrepreneurial pathways with access to funding support, and a comprehensive ecosystem for deep-tech research in India and abroad.

Speaking on the collaboration, Vishwa Mohan and Mehul Khandhedia highlighted the importance of complementing strong academic foundations with real-time, application-focused learning to ensure students graduate as industry-ready contributors. upGrad Founder Ronnie Screwvala added that as India transitions from cost competitiveness to capability leadership, partnerships like this will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of innovators and job creators.

In its first phase, upGrad School of Technology will focus on university partnerships across South India, with plans to scale the model nationally. The collaboration will be formally inaugurated in Bengaluru on 20 December, bringing together academic and industry leaders to discuss how India’s engineering youth can contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

EduConnect

Goa Launches Campus Innovation Scheme to Boost Student-Led Research and Entrepreneurship

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa has taken a significant step toward strengthening its innovation landscape with the launch of the Campus Innovation Scheme under the Goa Startup Policy 2025. Introduced by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) under the leadership of Minister Rohan Khaunte, the initiative seeks to nurture early-stage ideas developed within educational institutions and encourage students to explore emerging technologies through hands-on research and prototyping.

The scheme offers financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 per application, covering actual project expenses, and is open exclusively to bonafide students enrolled in UGC-recognised institutions in Goa. By limiting support to 10 beneficiaries each financial year, the program ensures focused funding and close monitoring of selected projects. Colleges are required to set up dedicated selection committees that carefully evaluate proposals based on sustainability, innovation potential, technical depth, and relevance to evolving technological domains.

Students must submit their project proposals through their respective institutions, after which recommendations from the college committees are forwarded to the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) for further evaluation. Approved applicants receive reimbursement after the expenditure is made, encouraging accountability and proper utilisation of funds. To maintain progress transparency, institutions must also submit quarterly reports to SITPC in the prescribed format.

In November, DITE&C hosted a meeting with Training and Placement Officers from various colleges to familiarise them with the scheme and encourage active participation. This interaction was aimed at fostering stronger collaboration between government bodies and educational institutions in nurturing a new generation of innovators.

The Campus Innovation Scheme serves as a launchpad for students aspiring to transform their ideas into tangible prototypes and impactful solutions. By equipping them with the resources and support they need at an early stage, Goa is cultivating a culture of innovation within campuses and preparing young minds for the next steps in their entrepreneurial journey.