Tag: Skill Development

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Vedanta Sesa Goa Empowers Over 1 Lakh Youth Through Skilling, Education and Sports

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

National Youth Day, celebrated every year on January 12, honours the potential of young minds to drive positive change. The theme for 2025, “Ignite the self, impact the world,” resonates strongly with Vedanta Sesa Goa’s sustained efforts in youth empowerment. Since 2018, the company has impacted over one lakh youth through initiatives spanning skilling, education, sports and digital learning.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa, emphasised the organisation’s focus on enabling young minds through education and skill development. He highlighted that initiatives such as the Sesa Football Academy, Sesa Technical School, and digital education and scholarship programmes have played a critical role in building an empowered and enabled society, while contributing to the larger vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Among Vedanta Sesa Goa’s flagship initiatives is the Sesa Football Academy, which since 1999 has nurtured the footballing aspirations of over 8,000 players. More than 230 players have benefitted directly from its residential programme, with 14 players, including boys and girls, representing India at the international level. The Academy’s senior women’s team currently represents Goa at the Indian Women’s League, while the senior men’s team continues to perform strongly in the Goa Premier League.

Reflecting on this impact, Aaroshi Govekar, a player at the Sesa Football Academy and a recent selection for the Indian football team, described wearing the Indian jersey as a dream come true. She credited the Academy for providing not just training, but discipline, exposure and confidence to compete at the highest level.

Another cornerstone of Vedanta Sesa Goa’s youth development efforts is the Sesa Technical School, established in 1994. The institute has provided industry-ready technical training to over 2,000 youth, particularly from rural and mining belts of Goa. Affiliated with NCVT and ITI, the school offers courses across five trades and maintains a near 100 percent placement record, with graduates employed by leading organisations across sectors. Special focus is placed on encouraging girls through scholarships and dedicated training programmes.

Alumnus and entrepreneur Laxman Dalvi shared that the school gave him more than technical skills—it instilled confidence, discipline and direction, enabling him to build a self-reliant future.

Under Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Sesa Goa has also strengthened access to education and digital learning by establishing Vedanta Computer Centres and Labs across multiple states. Since 2018, these initiatives have benefitted over 80,000 students and youth, helping bridge the digital divide and build essential skills for the modern workforce.

Complementing these efforts is the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship Programme, which has supported over 1,300 students in pursuing higher education, with 50 percent of scholarships reserved for meritorious girls. Beneficiaries like Leela Parab from Mulgao credit the programme for helping them move closer to their aspirations and contribute positively to society.

Together, these initiatives embody the spirit of National Youth Day by equipping young people with skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures. As Vedanta Sesa Goa continues its mission of transforming communities, youth empowerment remains at the heart of its journey toward inclusive and sustainable progress.

TechPulse

GITDC Launches Hands-On 3D Printing Training for Skill Development

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

To promote hands-on learning and capacity building in emerging technologies, the Goa Information Technology Development Corporation (GITDC), in association with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), has begun trial training sessions in 3D printing technology. The first session was held on November 21, 2025, at the Additive Manufacturing Hub in Altinho, marking an important step towards strengthening technical competencies within the government workforce.

The inaugural session was attended by Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, Dr Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director of DITE&C, and Shri Subrai Nadkarni, Chief Engineer, GITDC. The training was conducted by Shri Ryan Vaz of Infinyt3D Pvt. Ltd and saw the participation of around twelve GITDC officials. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of 3D technology through hands-on training in 3D modelling and design, including the use of 3D pens and basic design tools. The session combined presentations with practical demonstrations to help participants understand both theoretical concepts and real-world applications.

Upon completion of the programme, all participants received an Elementary 3D Printing certificate, recognising their foundational training in the technology. Speaking on the initiative, Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar said the programme is a crucial step in preparing government officials for future technological demands. He noted that exposure to advanced tools like 3D printing can help departments explore innovative applications and improve public service delivery.

The skilling initiative is being implemented under the leadership of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications. It is designed as a structured three-module training programme comprising beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, covering the full spectrum of 3D printing applications from basic design to advanced prototyping. As part of this effort, a dedicated 3D Printing Bureau is also being established to support design and printing requirements for various government departments.

The next phase of training sessions will be organised for government officials through the Department of ITE&C, subject to participant availability, as GITDC continues its focus on building technical capacity and fostering innovation within the public sector.

EduConnect

GDP School Hosts First-Ever Convocation with Enterprise Ramp Walk Across Three Campuses

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The GDP School for Social Entrepreneurship, Skill Building and Applied Social Research marked its first convocation at Borda College, Margao, with a packed auditorium and a high-energy format that placed outcomes above optics and enterprises above certificates. The event brought together graduating cohorts from the Borda, Vasco, and Quepem campuses in a celebration that redefined the traditional idea of a convocation.

Departing from convention, the convocation featured a swag-filled ramp walk where senior citizens, Self Help Groups, and rural youth confidently showcased market-ready products, service offerings, flyers, and enterprise packages. Developed through intensive practitioner-led mentoring and applied social research, the ramp transformed into a live marketplace of social innovation and enterprise readiness.

Stage 1 of the GDP School journey focused on stabilising three core pillars of enterprise building—product, process, and people. Participants underwent repeated cycles of market fitment, customer feedback, redesign, and validation, with a deliberate application of Blue Ocean Strategy to identify uncontested value propositions. The cohorts now advance into Stage 2, the Go-To-Market phase, which will focus on customer acquisition, partnerships, revenue models, and scaling.

The ramp walk was led by GDP School practitioners Deepakshi Mishra from the Quepem Campus, Kaushal Prabhudesai from the Vasco Campus, and Prasad Deshpande from the Borda Campus, who guided their respective cohorts through the showcase. The convocation was led by Chief Guest Mr. Kanjanabha Bhattacharyya, Managing Director of Putzmeister Concrete Machines Pvt. Ltd., who reinforced the importance of industrial rigor and execution discipline in building sustainable social enterprises.

The event saw the presence of a wide range of dignitaries from banking, industry, media, administration, and social development sectors, reflecting strong cross-sector endorsement for the initiative. The convocation also coincided with the birth anniversary of Late Shri Manoharbhai Parrikar, former Union Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa, and was envisioned as a tribute to his enduring legacy of institution-building, integrity, and inclusive development.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Kishore Shah, Managing Trustee of GDP Foundation, followed by live product displays and networking. The convocation marked not an end, but the formal market entry of community-rooted enterprises, reinforcing GDP School’s emergence as a pioneering platform where social purpose meets market discipline and learning translates into real, scalable impact.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Empowers Maem with New Tailoring and Computer Training Centres

Tanisha Cardozo

Vedanta Sesa Goa–Iron Ore Goa (IOG), under the aegis of the Vedanta Foundation, inaugurated the Vedanta Tailoring Training Centre and the relocated Vedanta Computer Centre at Village Panchayat Maem. These facilities aim to empower local women and youth through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) certified training programs in tailoring and computer applications, thereby enhancing employability and self-reliance.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA of Maem Constituency, along with Shri Vasudev Gaonkar, Sarpanch, Village Panchayat Maem, other panchayat members, and community representatives. From Vedanta, Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, IOG, and Mr. Santosh Mandrekar, Head–North & Central Cluster, IOG, were present.

The event also featured a certificate distribution ceremony for students who completed the three-month NSDC-certified Diploma in Computer Application program from the Vedanta Computer Centre.

The newly launched Vedanta Tailoring Training Centre will focus on skill development for women, offering a three-month structured course combining theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. This initiative seeks to enable women to take up entrepreneurial ventures and achieve financial independence.

The Vedanta Computer Centre, relocated from Haldanwadi to the Village Panchayat Maem premises, continues to offer both basic and advanced digital literacy programs. These training modules are designed to improve local youth’s computer proficiency and employability in an increasingly digital world.

Speaking at the event, Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA of Maem Constituency, commended Vedanta’s efforts, saying, “I appreciate Vedanta Sesa Goa for its consistent efforts towards community welfare and capacity building. Establishing these centres is a progressive step aimed at empowering individuals through essential digital skills. It is evident that Vedanta feels a deep sense of responsibility for the progress and prosperity of this region, and initiatives like these demonstrate the company’s genuine commitment to inclusive growth.”

Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO of Vedanta IOG, emphasized the company’s social commitment, stating, “At Vedanta Sesa Goa, we strongly believe that true growth lies in the progress of the communities. Our skilling and empowerment initiatives are designed to ‘give back’ to society and create sustainable opportunities. The launch of the Tailoring and Computer Centres at Maem reinforces our commitment to building a self-reliant, skilled, and confident community.”

So far, more than 1,200 students have benefited from Vedanta’s computer centres in Bicholim. Through sustained initiatives in education, skill development, and empowerment, Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to drive meaningful transformation and contribute to the state’s long-term sustainable development.

EduConnect

Deltin Foundation Strengthens Digital Learning at Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye College with 30 i7 Desktops Under Project ReviveEd

Tanisha Cardozo

Empowering education through technology, Deltin Foundation has continued its commitment to advancing digital learning through its Program Shiksha initiative. Under Project ReviveEd, the foundation donated 30 i7 desktops to Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye Government College and Research Centre, Virnoda, Pernem, Goa, equipping students with the tools needed for a more technology-driven learning environment.

The event was graced by Shri Bhushan K. Savaikar from the Directorate of Higher Education, along with Dr. Niyan Marchon, Juao Costa, Aishwarya Jain, and Pranali Naik, who commended the Foundation’s efforts in empowering youth through access to quality digital resources.

This upgrade to the college’s Centre for Multimedia and Research Studies will enable students to gain hands-on experience in new-age fields such as digital content creation, UI/UX design, graphic design, and research. The initiative underscores the Foundation’s vision of bridging the gap between academic learning and industry-relevant technological skills.

Through Program Shiksha, Deltin Foundation aims to transform classrooms into digitally enabled spaces that inspire creativity, innovation, and career readiness. By providing access to advanced computing systems, the Foundation is helping students build future-ready competencies while promoting inclusive and sustainable education in Goa.

This initiative once again highlights Deltin Foundation’s dedication to community development, education, and empowerment through technology — ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in a digital-first world.