Tag: robotics

EduConnect

CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Felicitates Goa’s Young Robotics & STEM Champions

Tanisha Cardozo

In a proud moment for Goa’s education and innovation ecosystem, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, felicitated the State’s outstanding young achievers who have brought laurels through exceptional performances in Robotics and STEM competitions at national and international platforms. The ceremony recognised students who have excelled at prestigious events such as the World STEM & Robotics Olympiad (WSRO), VEX Robotics Championships, and the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), underscoring Goa’s growing prominence in technology-driven education.

The event brought together students, mentors, school leaders, and parents who have collectively contributed to this remarkable success. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sawant congratulated the young innovators and their mentors, stating that their achievements exemplify innovation, discipline, teamwork, and the spirit of scientific inquiry. He reiterated the Government of Goa’s strong commitment to promoting STEM education, innovation, and future-ready skills in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. He emphasised that such accomplishments reflect the State’s determination to ensure that Goan youth are prepared to compete and succeed on global platforms.

The Chief Minister lauded the role of Qurious Mind Infotainment Pvt. Ltd., a Goa-based robotics education organisation, for its sustained efforts in nurturing young talent and building a robust ecosystem for hands-on STEM learning across the State. He also acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the Department of Education, Government of Goa, school managements, teachers, mentors, and parents who have collectively enabled students to reach new heights in competitive arenas.

Among those honoured were Ronav Chodankar and Ariana Chodankar of Sharada Mandir School, mentored by Dr. Deepa Chodankar, who received the Judges’ Choice Award – Young Scientist (All STEM – Open Category) at the WSRO National Championship. Shlok R. Juvatkar of Mahila & Nutan English High School, guided by Mahadev Mishal, secured 1st Place in the Junior Robo Race category. Students representing Goa at the VEX Robotics Regional and National Championships, including Mast Vedang Anay Kamat, Miss Surabhi Shubhesh Manerikar, Miss Rajvi Vishwanath Marathe, and Mast Shourya Ganpat Prabhu Kapdi, were also recognised for their exemplary participation.

At the FIRST Tech Challenge, students such as Soham Mahesh Redkar, Dhruv Sameer Salgaonkar, Sparsh Swapnesh Verlekar, and Sairaj Amonkar from Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa, along with Anam Raza of Podar International School, Panelim, Avaneesh Devendra Phadte of Mushtifund High School, Cujira, and Sai Pranav Gandhi of Sharada Mandir School, Miramar, were honoured for leadership and excellence within the international competition framework.

Goa’s representation at the WSRO International Championship marked a particularly proud milestone. Students from New English High School, Digas Panchwadi—Miss Paravi Prakash Gaonkar, Miss Shravya Rajendra Naik, Miss Akshavi Ashok Gaonkar, and Miss Aarushi Arun Sawant—mentored by Atul Shirodkar, earned international participation recognition in the Industry 4.0 category, reflecting the highest level of competition and global exposure.

Additional accolades included Mast Dilraj Dilip Kavthankar of Pradnya High School securing 6th Prize in the Line Follower category under the mentorship of Prasad Gadekar; Mast Ian Nunes of St. Bartholomew’s High School, Chorao, mentored by Vincent Toscano, winning 5th Prize in Young Scientist (Algorithms); Mast Vedang Kamat of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa, mentored by Anay Kamat, earning 4th Prize in Industry 4.0; and the team of Manish Mahadev Gawandi, Nirbhay Manoj Talkar, and Mayank Sandeep Kavathankar from Pradnya High School achieving 3rd Prize in the Line Follower category, guided by Prasad Gadekar.

The ceremony concluded with an engaging interaction between the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the students, followed by official photographs, marking a proud and inspiring chapter in Goa’s journey towards becoming an emerging hub for robotics, innovation, and technology education. The achievements celebrated at this event stand as a testament to what focused mentorship, institutional support, and youthful determination can accomplish, placing Goa firmly on the national and global STEM map.

EduConnect

Vibrant Goa Foundation Hosts High-Level Zimbabwe Delegation for Education and Innovation Exchange

Tanisha Cardozo

Vibrant Goa Foundation, as part of its flagship Global Knowledge Outreach initiative, played host to a high-level educational delegation from Zimbabwe on the 8th of September, marking a significant milestone in fostering global collaborations in the fields of education, technology, and innovation. The visiting delegation was led by Mr. Moses Mhike, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, accompanied by Mrs. Olicah Kaira, Chief Director – Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education, and Mrs. Ashell Ruswa, CEO of Errymaple Group of Schools in Zvishavane. The visit was coordinated by Mr. Yogesh Kerkar, Managing Director of Qurious Minds, an emerging force in global educational exchange and innovation consulting.

The event, held as an Educational Round Table, brought together an array of influential voices from Goa’s academic and innovation ecosystem. Representing the Vibrant Goa Foundation were trustees Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, Mr. Arman Bankley, Mr. Manoj Patil, Mr. Vinay Verma, Mr. Rasik Naik, Mr. Dinesh Dhulapkar, Mr. Ajay Gramopadhya, Mr. Gautam Kharangate, and Mr. Milind Anvekar. Also participating were eminent representatives from Goa University, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Dhempo College, MES College, Directorate of Higher Education, Goa Institute of Management, Government Polytechnic and other leading institutions, making this gathering a truly collaborative one.

The discussions were vibrant and focused on a broad range of educational themes including the adoption of EdTech tools, STEM learning, GIS, Robotics, Drones, Learning Management Systems, and ICT solutions. The Zimbabwean delegation expressed deep appreciation for Goa’s forward-looking efforts in integrating technology at the school and university levels. The event served as a dynamic platform to explore synergies and initiate meaningful collaborations between Zimbabwe’s education system and Goa’s innovation-driven institutions.

A highlight of the discussion was the mutual recognition of the potential for long-term partnership, with Mr. Moses Mhike acknowledging the practical and strategic value of the knowledge shared during the visit. He emphasized that Zimbabwe sees Goa as a potential partner in transforming its own educational landscape. Adding to the momentum, Mr. Yogesh Kerkar noted that Qurious Minds has already embarked on a collaborative project with a Zimbabwean entity—evidence of how dialogues are translating into action.

The delegation also took note of the recent success of the Amazing Goa Summit, which further cemented Goa’s image as a global hub for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Rajkumar Kamat concluded the session with a forward-looking invitation to the delegates to participate in the forthcoming Global Tech Summit and Global Business Expo & Summit 2026.

This initiative reflects Vibrant Goa Foundation’s vision of driving Goa’s global engagement, supporting startups and educational institutions to expand internationally, and creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation-led growth. The collaboration with Zimbabwe stands as a model for future partnerships, enabling the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and innovation that transcends borders.

EduConnect

Goa Expands ITKC Network to Empower Youth with Future-Ready Digital Skills

Tanisha Cardozo

Porvorim, August 07, 2025 – In a progressive move toward digital equity and future-readiness, the Government of Goa has announced the empanelment of new Information Technology Knowledge Centres (ITKCs) under the ST/SC Empowerment through ICT Scheme.

The initiative was launched by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Minister for ITE&C Rohan A. Khaunte at PAC Hall Secretariat, Porvorim, in the presence of top officials from the Info Tech Corporation of Goa Ltd. (ITG).

💡 Aimed at Building Careers, Not Just Skills

The newly empanelled ITKCs will now operate in six additional talukas: Bardez, Ponda, Salcete, Sanguem, Quepem, and Canacona.

These centres will offer over 33 foundational and advanced courses in high-demand domains such as:

  • Ethical Hacking
  • 3D Design
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Cyber Safety for Women
  • Robotics
  • Project Management
  • Basic Computer Literacy

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said,

“We aim to deepen digital access and provide structured skilling to empower SC and ST youth, helping them become self-reliant and career-ready.”

💻 Free Laptops and Drone Didi Initiative

The scheme goes further than training.

  • Free laptops will be provided to eligible EWS and OBC students pursuing engineering in Goa.
  • Goa also becomes the first state to focus on drone pilot training for women SHGs, aligned with the national Drone Didi scheme, promoting rural micro-entrepreneurship.

🌐 Building a Future-Ready Goa

Minister Rohan A. Khaunte stated,

“This is about inclusive tech. We’re not only creating jobs—we’re creating digital citizens who can lead innovation in their communities.”

The ITKCs are part of Goa’s broader citizen-first digital policy, aiming to build inclusive growth, equal opportunity, and a future-ready workforce.

International

Gillbert the Robot Fish: A Student’s Bold Move Against Microplastics

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In the ongoing fight against plastic pollution, a new hero has emerged from an unlikely place — a university classroom. Meet Gillbert, a salmon-sized, 3D-printed robotic fish that swims like its biological cousins but with a futuristic twist: it filters out microplastics from the water.

Created by Eleanor Mackintosh, a student at the University of Surrey, Gillbert is designed with a mesh filtration system that traps even the smallest plastic particles. Built with affordability, sustainability, and education in mind, the robot is also open-source and free to replicate — making it accessible to communities, schools, and researchers worldwide.

Gillbert’s mission is more than academic. The robot has already undergone real-world testing in UK lakes, proving its ability to collect microplastics efficiently while maintaining the elegant, natural movements of a fish — thanks to biomimetic engineering.

This project underscores a growing trend of student-led climate tech and shows how innovation doesn’t have to come from massive R&D budgets or large corporations. Sometimes, it starts with a student, a printer, and a purpose.

With more interest growing around Gillbert’s design, there’s hope that this humble robot fish could spark a wave of similar solutions worldwide.

TechPulse

Young Innovators Bring Goa’s Creative Capital Vision to Life at Maker’s Asylum

allycaralgoa

Panaji, July 12, 2025: Goa is emerging as a creative hub where technology meets imagination, grounded in community, collaboration and purpose-driven innovation. This evolving identity aligns with the vision of the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, whose efforts are driving Goa’s transformation into an innovation-led state.

Reflecting this vision at the grassroots, Maker’s Asylum has been welcoming young people from across the world to Goa for its immersive & hands-on learning experiences & programs since 2021. 753 young people, from 15 countries, 150 schools and 50 cities across India have had the taste of the maker culture and immersed themselves in creativity and innovation through their space in Goa. This summer Maker’s Asylum hosted five dynamic immersions of its flagship program, Innovation School, at its campus in Moira. The program has welcomed 77 young makers (aged 13–18), representing 5 countries, 30+ schools and 15 cities across India and beyond. Over the course of the last two months, these students grouped into 24 teams, engaged in design thinking and rapid prototyping to address real-world challenges. From drones for emergency healthcare delivery to AI-powered wearables and assistive tech devices for the differently-abled, the teams built 24 working prototypes, demonstrating both technical skills and interdisciplinary learning.

Participants over the years have received mentorship from the likes of experts such as Ramesh Raskar, Associate Director MIT Media Lab, Jaideep Prabhu – Vice Dean Judge School of Business Cambridge, Niti Parikh – Director Learning Spaces & Makerlabs at Cornell Tech and many other from IIT Bombay, NID Ahmedabad, and leading startups, supported by Maker’s Asylum’s in-house curriculum and technical team.

“When we moved to Goa in 2020, we discovered that beyond its natural beauty, Goa is emerging as a vibrant hub for creativity, hands-on learning, and technological innovation. Known for attracting artists, makers, and changemakers, Goa has become the perfect home for Maker’s Asylum. Through our space in Moira, we’ve welcomed young minds from across India to dive into experiential learning — from carpentry, 3D printing, electronics, and AI, to robotics, drones, and laser cutting. It’s about empowering the next generation to build, create, and innovate in an environment that fuels both imagination and impact.” — Vaibhav Chhabra, Founder, Maker’s Asylum

Maker’s Asylum reflects Goa’s growing identity as a Creative Capital for meaningful tech and hands-on education. Its ethos resonates with the state’s upcoming Centre of Excellence for 3D Printing, which will bring together startups, healthcare professionals, students, government departments, and industries to collaborate and co-create.
By nurturing a maker mindset and providing access to tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and robotics, programs like this are laying the foundation for a future-ready innovation ecosystem in Goa.

To celebrate the students’ achievements and invite broader community participation, Maker’s Asylum will host two open events at its Moira campus. The first, a Repair Café on July 12 from 6:00 PM onwards, is being held in collaboration with the Repair Café Foundation (Bangalore). It is a hands-on sustainability initiative where attendees can bring broken household items and learn repair skills alongside mentors and student makers. The second, a Final Open House on July 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, will showcase the breakthrough projects developed during the program and offer a firsthand look at what young minds can accomplish when given the right tools and creative freedom. Both events are open to the public.

Applications are also now open for the Spring & Summer 2026 cohorts of Innovation School by Maker’s Asylum.

This initiative reflects the Department’s long-term vision of shaping Goa into India’s Creative Capital and Innovation Hub — a place where experiential learning and technological creativity go hand in hand.