Tag: professional development

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

NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar Inaugurates Short-Term Technical Translation Course at Marcel

Tanisha Cardozo

NRI Commissioner Adv. Narendra Sawaikar inaugurated a week-long Short-Term Certificate Course in Technical Translation organized by the Directorate of Official Language in association with the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Khandola, held at Marcel. The initiative aims to provide participants with enhanced technical translation skills, strengthening their proficiency in multiple languages and promoting professional and academic development in the field of translation.

The course is part of a broader effort by the Directorate of Official Language to enhance linguistic capabilities among students and professionals in Goa, enabling them to navigate the growing need for accurate and effective technical translation in education, administration, and industry.

By combining theory with practical exercises, the week-long program offers participants hands-on experience in translating technical documents, thereby preparing them to meet professional standards in multilingual communication. The collaboration with Government College Khandola ensures that academic guidance complements practical training, creating a robust learning environment for all attendees.

Through such initiatives, Goa continues to foster skill development and multilingual proficiency, equipping its youth and professionals to contribute meaningfully to both local and global contexts.

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JCI Panaji Hosts Successful CAPP Chairmanship and Parliamentary Procedure Training

allycaralgoa

On February 22nd, JCI Panaji organized a highly informative training session on CAPP Chairmanship and Parliamentary Procedure, which was met with resounding success. The event, facilitated by JCI Senator Eeshan Usapkar, aimed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of parliamentary procedures and chairmanship.

Senator Usapkar’s expertise and clear delivery of the complex topic ensured that all attendees grasped the intricacies of parliamentary procedures and chairmanship. The session was meticulously planned, with JFD Smitesh Talawadekar acting as co-pilot, to ensure maximum engagement and participation from all attendees.

Recognizing Outstanding Performers

During the session, JC Ambey Parwatkar and JC Alisha Fernandes were recognized as outstanding performers for their active participation and valuable contributions. Their dedication and engagement were praised by the facilitators and fellow participants alike.

A Valuable Learning Experience

The training session proved to be an invaluable learning experience, highlighting the importance of chairmanship and parliamentary procedures for personal and professional development. Participants left with a deeper understanding of these essential skills, which will undoubtedly benefit them in their future endeavors.

Reinforcing JCI Panaji’s Commitment

The successful training event reinforced JCI Panaji’s commitment to fostering leadership and professional development in the community. The organization remains dedicated to providing valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth to its members and the wider community.

About JCI Panaji

JCI Panaji is a chapter of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global organization dedicated to empowering young people to create positive change in their communities. JCI Panaji is committed to developing the skills, knowledge, and character of its members, while promoting community service and leadership development.