EduConnect

Historic MoU Signed Between Laghu Udyog Bharati and SSA Government College


In a landmark event, Laghu Udyog Bharati and SSA Government College of Arts and Commerce, Pernem, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Porvorim, witnessed by Shri Bhushan Savoikar, Director of the Directorate of Higher Education. This strategic partnership is set to revolutionize the educational landscape in Goa, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among students.


The MoU aims to create a collaborative ecosystem that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development. By leveraging each other’s strengths, Laghu Udyog Bharati and SSA Government College will provide students with access to resources, expertise, and networking opportunities. This partnership will enable students to develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.


The partnership will focus on promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and skill development, ultimately enhancing the employability and competitiveness of students. By providing students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and industry exposure, Laghu Udyog Bharati and SSA Government College aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in Goa.


The Directorate of Higher Education, under the leadership of Shri Bhushan Savoikar, has been instrumental in promoting excellence in higher education in Goa. The directorate’s initiatives, including promoting research and innovation, improving infrastructure, and fostering industry-academia partnerships, have been designed to enhance the quality of higher education in the state.


The signing of the MoU between Laghu Udyog Bharati and SSA Government College marks a new chapter in education in Goa. This partnership is poised to have a transformative impact on the educational landscape, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among students. As the state continues to strive for excellence in higher education, this partnership is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.

Business

ChatGPT Sees Explosive Growth in India, Becomes Fastest-Growing Market


In a remarkable milestone, India has emerged as the fastest-growing market for ChatGPT, OpenAI’s revolutionary AI chatbot. This surge in popularity can be attributed to the recent explosion of Ghibli-inspired image generation activity on the platform.

A Staggering 130 Million Users and Counting

According to Brad Lightcap, OpenAI’s Chief Operating Officer, over 130 million users worldwide have generated more than 700 million images through ChatGPT in just the past week. This unprecedented growth is a testament to the platform’s versatility and appeal.

India Takes Center Stage

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Lightcap announced India’s ascension to the top spot, stating, “India is now our fastest growing chatgpt market ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ.” This achievement underscores the country’s burgeoning tech-savvy population and its eagerness to embrace innovative technologies.

The Rise of AI-Generated Art

The Ghibli-inspired image generation activity that sparked this growth is a fascinating example of AI’s potential to democratize art. By leveraging ChatGPT’s capabilities, users can create stunning, high-quality images that rival those produced by human artists.

What This Means for the Future of AI

As ChatGPT continues to break records and push boundaries, it’s clear that AI is poised to play an increasingly prominent role in our lives. With India at the forefront of this adoption curve, it will be exciting to see how the country’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and citizens harness the power of AI to drive growth, creativity, and progress.

TechPulse

DITE&C Launches Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 to Drive Tech Innovation


Panjim, March 27, 2025: The Startup & IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, is set to launch the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 (GOIC 2025) on March 28, 2025, under the leadership of the Honโ€™ble Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, Shri. Rohan A. Khaunte, and in the presence of Honโ€™ble MLA and Chairman of Info Tech Corporation Goa, Dr. Chandrakant Shetye. This two-month program aims to bring together startups, students, government bodies and industry to develop technology-driven solutions for key challenges in sectors such as Tourism, Waste Management, Agriculture, NABARD, GPSC and Industry.

The launch event will feature two expert-led masterclasses designed to equip startups with essential insights. โ€œPreparing for Your Fundraising Journeyโ€ by Mr. Sachin Karnik, Former President of Mumbai Angel Networks and Founder of The Great Unicorn Hunt, will cover key aspects of fundraising, including the pitfalls and upsides of fundraising, timing the fundraise, understanding fundraising jargon, valuation drivers in real scenarios, shareholder agreement considerations, and negotiation tools for valuation mismatches.โ€‹

โ€œCompliances Made Easy for Early-Stage Startupsโ€ by Mr. Sridhar Subramanian, a finance veteran with experience at Coca-Cola and Capillary Technologies, as well as an angel investor, will focus on simplifying compliance processes for startups.

Additionally, a panel discussion on โ€œBuilding Scalable Startups from Goaโ€ will bring together industry leaders with firsthand experience in scaling businesses. The panelists will include Mr. Anand Prabhudessai, Co-Founder of Turtlemint, a leading Insurtech startup backed by investors such as Sequoia Capital and Nexus Venture Partners; Mr. Prasad Vanga, Founder & CEO of Anthill Ventures, a speed-scaling investment platform supporting startups in sectors like Media & Entertainment, HealthTech, UrbanTech, and Consumer Brands; Mr. Eshan Sharma, from Renevik Solar, a prominent solar energy company specializing in solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors; Mr. Rahat Kulshreshtha, Co-Founder of Quidich Innovation Labs, a company at the forefront of sports broadcasting and filming, integrating AR, AI, and ML with collaborations including ICC, IPL, and Netflix; and Mr. Sumit Mitra, President – International Sales & Marketing at Molbio Diagnostics, representing Goaโ€™s unicorn, a pioneering molecular diagnostics company revolutionizing healthcare accessibility.

Together, these experts will share insights on startup growth and scaling and the opportunities and challenges of scaling from Goa. The discussion will be Moderated by Ms Varsha Adusumilli, Author, Investor, Advisor.

The official launch of GOIC 2025 will include the launch of the website, and an overview of the problem statements that could be solved using technology by Mr. D S Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), Government of Goa.

The Department, through the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025, aims to drive innovation, create new opportunities, and strengthen Goaโ€™s position as a leading technology hub by providing the critical market access for startups thus supporting the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Register today at https://forms.gle/FUnrh1dndQ4sbKH38 or call 9970562945 for more information.

EduConnect

Central Asian Youth Delegation Explores Economic Opportunities in Goa


In a significant move to foster economic cooperation and cultural exchange, a 100-member Central Asian youth delegation from four countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – visited the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) recently.

The delegation, comprising young entrepreneurs, students, and professionals, engaged in an interactive session with GCCI members, focusing on economic growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The session aimed to explore potential areas of collaboration, share best practices, and identify opportunities for mutual benefit.

Cultural Exchange and Knowledge Sharing

The interactive session provided a platform for the Central Asian youth delegation to learn about Goa’s economy, industry, and entrepreneurial ecosystem. GCCI members shared their experiences, insights, and expertise, highlighting the state’s potential for growth and development.

In return, the delegation shared their perspectives on the economic landscape of Central Asia, highlighting opportunities for trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The session facilitated a rich exchange of ideas, fostering a deeper understanding between the two regions.

Fostering Economic Cooperation

The visit underscores the growing interest in economic cooperation between India and Central Asia. Goa, with its strategic location and growing economy, is poised to play a significant role in this cooperation.

The GCCI, as a leading industry body, is committed to promoting economic growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the state. By engaging with the Central Asian youth delegation, the GCCI aims to explore new avenues for collaboration, trade, and investment.

Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs

The interactive session also emphasized the importance of empowering youth entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and innovation. The Central Asian delegation comprised young entrepreneurs and students, who are eager to learn from India’s experience and explore opportunities for collaboration.

By facilitating this exchange, the GCCI aims to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that transcends borders.

Conclusion

The visit of the Central Asian youth delegation to the GCCI marks a significant step forward in fostering economic cooperation and cultural exchange between India and Central Asia. By sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, we can unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship, empowering the next generation of leaders to shape a brighter future.

EduConnect

Goa Revolutionizes STEM Education: 20,000 Students to Benefit from Advanced Coding and Robotics Program


In a groundbreaking initiative, the Government of Goa has launched the Coding And Robotics Education in Schools (CARES) Scheme, aiming to empower 20,000 students with advanced STEM education. This program is set to transform Goa’s educational landscape, fostering the next generation of engineers, coders, and innovators.

The CARES Scheme: A Game-Changer in STEM Education

The CARES Scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education and offers an advanced curriculum in robotics and coding to students across the state. The program is designed to provide specialized learning for students with a special interest and talent in the fields of coding and robotics ยน.

Key Highlights of the Program

  • 200 Lead Schools: The Government of Goa has announced the inclusion of 200 ‘Lead Schools’ for the 2025-26 academic year, offering the advanced curriculum in robotics and coding.
  • Elective Curriculum: The Elective Curriculum enrollment for the 2025-26 academic year has already begun, with the new robotics and coding syllabus available for Classes VI to VIII.
  • Rapid Growth: The program has seen rapid growth, with nearly 3,000 students enrolled in the advanced curriculum as an elective subject at 60 Lead Schools in 2022-23, rising to 7,700 in 2023-24, and surging to 11,000 this academic year.
  • High-Quality Instruction: The state has recruited engineering graduates and professionals as “Teach for Goa -Fellowsโ€ to ensure high-quality instruction and facilitate curriculum delivery.
  • State-of-the-Art Robotics Labs: The Lead Schools are equipped with state-of-the-art robotics labs, located in various talukas, ensuring accessibility to students across Goa.

Empowering Students for a Tech-Driven Future

The CARES Scheme is designed to give students practical skills in coding and robotics, which have a wide range of applications in today’s technology-driven world. With the addition of more Lead Schools and growing enthusiasm from students, the future looks promising for Goa’s young talent in the fields of coding and robotics ยฒ.

A Boost to Goa’s Educational Framework

This initiative not only enhances Goa’s educational framework but also prepares students for the growing demand for skilled professionals in technology-related fields. The opportunities in coding and robotics are vast, and this curriculum will open doors for students from all walks of life