EduConnect

Infosys Springboard Hosts Batch II of Academic Leadership Programme at Hyderabad Training Centre


The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and the Goa State Higher Education Council (GSHEC), Government of Goa, recently organized the prestigious Academic Leadership Programme (ALP) at the Infosys Limited training centre in Hyderabad from 8th to 12th September 2025. This fully residential leadership workshop is a significant initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on strengthening governance and leadership capabilities among faculty members of higher education institutions in Goa.

The ALP is designed to build and enhance the academic leadership skills of 30 faculty members from general and engineering colleges, as well as Goa University. The programme’s comprehensive curriculum was delivered by professional corporate trainers from Infosys Ltd., including Nivas PCS, Simran, and Dimple Bhasin. The training modules covered critical areas such as leveraging the Infosys Springboard platform for effective engagement, enhancing communication and teamwork, decision-making skills, team management, and collaborative learning. Importantly, the programme also introduced participants to emerging technological domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP), equipping academic leaders to stay future-ready.

Participants engaged actively through group presentations and evaluations, demonstrating their newly acquired knowledge and leadership competencies. This leadership development initiative is a vital step towards cultivating an empowered academic community in Goa, reinforcing the government’s commitment to higher education excellence.

The programme’s launch was marked by the flag-off of the 30 faculty participants by Prasad Lolayekar, Secretary Education, and Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director of DHE. The successful implementation of this workshop was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Niyan Marchon, Program Director and Professor, along with Vasant Narulkar from the Centralised Training, Internship and Placement Cell of the Directorate of Higher Education, who played key roles in conceptualizing and coordinating this transformative programme.

Following the workshop, these energized faculty members will promote the free online course content available on the Infosys Springboard platform to their peers and students. The platform offers over 20,000 courses spanning topics such as AI, time management, personality development, and many more, further advancing the reach and impact of this leadership initiative.

By integrating academic leadership development with cutting-edge technology and collaborative learning strategies, the Academic Leadership Programme is poised to foster a new generation of academic leaders in Goa, aligned with the vision of NEP 2020 for a robust and future-ready education system.

Social

Southeast Bank Honors 53 Meritorious Students of Employees for Academic Excellence


Southeast Bank PLC. proudly celebrated the outstanding academic achievements of 53 meritorious students, all of whom are children of the Bank’s dedicated employees. These students earned remarkable results in 2025—securing GPA-5 in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams and achieving six A Grades in their O-Level examinations.

To honor their hard work and excellence, the Bank organized a special award ceremony filled with pride, joy, and celebration. The event served as a platform to not only appreciate the students but also to recognize the unwavering support of their families. Students were presented with crests, certificates, and thoughtful gifts as tokens of appreciation. The occasion aimed to uplift the morale of employees and reinforce a culture of academic encouragement and family value within the Bank.

The prestigious event was graced by the honorable Chairman of Southeast Bank, Mr. M. A. Kashem, who attended as the Chief Guest. He personally handed over the awards to the students and delivered an inspiring speech. In his remarks, he lauded the dedication, focus, and perseverance of the students and acknowledged the crucial role played by parents and families in nurturing such success.

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence but also the nurturing environment provided by their families and institutions. Southeast Bank takes pride in celebrating and supporting such brilliance,” said Mr. Kashem.

This initiative marked a historic moment for Southeast Bank as it was the first such recognition program in the Bank’s history. It was widely applauded across all levels of the organization. The celebration fostered a deep sense of pride and happiness among employees, highlighting the Bank’s genuine investment in the well-being and success of its workforce and their families.

Since taking office, Mr. M. A. Kashem has championed a number of employee-focused initiatives, including comprehensive insurance services and now this landmark felicitation program. These programs underscore the Bank’s broader commitment to employee welfare, educational development, and corporate social responsibility.

The ceremony concluded on a high note with words of encouragement for the young achievers, motivating them to continue striving for excellence in all their future academic and professional pursuits.

Special Occasion

Soul-Shaping Heroes: A Teacher’s Day Tribute


Written by Intern Queeny George M.H & Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Every year on September 5, India celebrates Teacher’s Day — a heartfelt tribute to educators who dedicate their lives to shaping the future. The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President, a scholar, philosopher, and teacher. When asked if his birthday could be celebrated, he humbly requested that the day be observed as Teacher’s Day instead — emphasizing the value of education and those who impart it.

Throughout history, the role of a teacher has always transcended the classroom. In ancient times, the ‘Guru’ was not merely an instructor but a guide, a mentor, and often a spiritual force who sought out students, trained them rigorously, and passed down generations of knowledge. These Gurus didn’t just teach—they transformed.

Great leaders of history often stood behind even greater teachers. Emperors like King Ashoka the Great were shaped by wise mentors like Chanakya. King Alexander the Great had the philosopher Aristotle as his tutor, while Plato once learned under the guidance of Socrates. Even in modern times, Anne Sullivan’s mentorship of Helen Keller reminds us that teaching is more than instruction—it is empowerment.

This lineage of impactful teaching continues today. Classrooms across India and the world were filled with teachers who cared deeply. Teachers who weren’t just present for the syllabus, but for the students. Many of them acted as a team, building students’ character, guiding them toward the right path, and shaping not just academic outcomes but lives.

These teachers were strict when needed, but also the first to smile, laugh, and celebrate with their students. They taught lessons beyond the textbook—showing up during our struggles, asking the questions others missed, and believing in us long before we believed in ourselves.

Their impact doesn’t end at the classroom door. It lingers in our decision-making, our confidence, and our resilience. Whether they stayed back after hours to explain a difficult concept or gave us advice that stayed with us for decades, these educators have left a permanent mark on our journey.

This Teacher’s Day, we celebrate not just the knowledge they pass on, but the compassion, encouragement, and belief they give us in every small interaction. 

Because every student deserves a teacher like that. 

So here’s to them — the chalk-holding, soul-shaping, heart-hugging heroes of our lives. 

Happy Teacher’s Day — and to all the amazing teachers out there… hip hip hooray!