The JCI Farmagudi team recently conducted a 6-hour Effective Public Speaking Session for students of Government High School Juna Bazar Ponda, specifically targeting those pursuing Retail and Hospitality courses under Goa Samagra Shiksha’s National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) initiative..
This engaging session aimed to enhance the communication skills of students, recognizing that effective public speaking is an essential art. By fostering confidence and articulation, JCI Farmagudi is contributing to the holistic development of young minds.
The session was expertly led by Faculty JC Sharmila Valavalkar, Zone Trainer and Zone Secretary of JCI Zone 11, alongside Co-faculty JC Siddesh Mesta, Zone Trainer. Their guidance and mentorship played a pivotal role in making the program a resounding success.
The students’ active participation and enthusiasm were truly commendable, showcasing their eagerness to learn and grow. This initiative under Goa Samagra Shiksha’s NSQF program highlights the government’s commitment to providing skill development opportunities for students.
The success of this program demonstrates the power of collaboration between organizations like JCI Farmagudi and government initiatives. By working together, we can create meaningful impact and empower the next generation of leaders.
Kudos to JCI Farmagudi and the Goa Government for spearheading such innovative initiatives! We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes and growth of these talented students.
Panaji, April 23, 2025 – The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), in collaboration with The St. Regis Goa Resort, Mobor, Cavelossim, Salcete, successfully conducted a one-day workshop on hospitality orientation and operations. Designed to offer an immersive experience in a hospitality setting, the workshop provided GTDC officials with valuable insights in hotel operations & customer services .
The workshop was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Satish Kumar, General Manager of the St. Regis Goa Resort, along with GTDC’s General Managers GTDC General Managers including Shri Gavin Dias (Hotels, Marketing); Shri Laxmikant Vaigankar (Administration); Shri Kapil Paiguinkar (Finance); and Shri Sachin Gore (Engineering), Shri Deepak Narvekar, Dy General Manager ( Hotels/ Mktg), Shri Sandeep Gawas, Dy. General Manager (Admin) and other officials of GTDC and St Regis. The initiative focused on enhancing the soft skills, communication abilities, and operational knowledge of the Senior GTDC personnel.
Resource persons from The St. Regis led interactive sessions covering guest service excellence, internal hotel operations, and soft skills training. A dedicated interaction session facilitated the exchange of ideas between the resort’s resource team and GTDC officials. As part of the programme, participants were taken on a guided tour of the resort, exploring key areas such as the lagoons, cocktail mixing station, hotel lobby, beach access from the hotel, and the ‘heart of the hotel’ operations wing and other important sections.
To honour the participants, certificates along with traditional Kunbi shawls, sarees, jackets, and Hotel Gift were presented by Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC and Shri Satish Kumar, General Manager of the St. Regis Goa Resort.
Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC, was present at the certificate distribution ceremony. In his address, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity extended to GTDC staff to engage with one of Goa’s premier luxury resorts. He emphasised that the experience and knowledge gained would contribute significantly to enhancing the quality of services offered by GTDC and tourism related services. Dr. Gaonkar also acknowledged the support and cooperation of The St. Regis team in organising the workshop.
Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, Managing Director, GTDC stated, “Workshops like these help our teams learn from the best in the industry and adopt proven practices that enhance our service and operational standards. Through such initiatives, we aim to equip our teams with the skills, mindset, and exposure needed to deliver exceptional experiences across our tourism infrastructure.
Shri Satish Kumar, General Manager of The St. Regis Goa Resort, reaffirmed the resort’s unwavering commitment to partnering with Goa Tourism in elevating the state’s position as a world-class destination. He emphasized the resort’s relentless focus on excellence and its role in setting benchmarks in luxury hospitality. Amidst evolving industry narratives, he proudly highlighted that The St. Regis Goa continues to achieve robust occupancy levels and exceptional guest satisfaction—testament to the trust and loyalty of its discerning guests.
Shri Gavin Dias, General Manager and Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, also spoke on the occasion. Dorin Mascarenhas, Manager – Human Resources at The St. Regis Goa Resort also extended the help during the workshop.
30 senior officials of GTDC ranging from General Managers to Manager of the Residencies participated in the workshop.
This workshop marks a significant step towards knowledge exchange and skill development in Goa’s tourism and hospitality sector, reflecting a shared commitment to service excellence and professional growth.
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.
Vedanta Sesa Goa-Value Added Business (VAB), continues to drive meaningful change by promoting education and empowering women both in the workplace and society.
Recognizing the need to support women to pursue skilling in technical fields, VAB has provided scholarships to 11 girls to pursue ITI courses in Diesel Mechanic, Electrical, Instrument Mechanic, and Machinist at Sesa Technical School (STS). The initiative is part of Vedanta Sesa Goa’s Project ‘Vriddhi’ and is aligned with the aims of the recently launched #IronLadiesIndia’25 campaign, which aims to enable women such that they are able to maximise their potential & contribute to the fullest to the goals of a ‘Viksit Bharat’. This is the third iteration of the #IronLadiesIndia campaign.
The scholarships have been instituted in 2023 and women trainees identified for the scholarship are being provided regular mentoring and guidance so that thy can fully benefit from the course curriculum. As part of their orientation process, they also interacted with Mr. Saptesh Sardesai, CEO, VAB, and Ms Leena Verenkar, Head CSR, Sesa Goa and were provided valuable insights which will help the trainees be better prepared and industry-ready. The trainees also interacted with several other Vedanta executives and benefited from a free-flowing exchange of ideas.
Speaking on the occasion, Saptesh Sardesai, CEO- VAB said “At VAB, we believe that education and skill development are key drivers of empowerment, especially for young women aspiring to build careers in technical fields. Through our scholarship programs, we are creating opportunities for these talented individuals to break barriers and thrive in industries traditionally dominated by men. It is inspiring to see their determination, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive and skilled workforce for the future.”
Many of these young women are the first in their families to receive formal technical education, making their achievements a testament to resilience and progress. They expressed gratitude for the initiative, which is not just supporting their academic journey but also empowering them with the skills and confidence to build independent, successful careers in industries.The STS reconfigured its curriculum to include courses for women in 2023 and the first batch of women trainees passed out in 2024, with a 100% pass result.
Ms. Afsana Patvi, Scholarship awardee for pursing Machinist course said “It was a wonderful experience to sit and have an interaction with the senior management where great insightful discussions took place. It is very inspiring to see the journey they have covered, and we are motivated enough to aim for the best ahead. I sincerely thank Vedanta for supporting us in making a strong career for ourselves that will make us empowered and independent women.”
Sesa Technical School (STS), a flagship project of Sesa Goa, has been a cornerstone of skill development, equipping students with industry-relevant expertise for over Three decades. With a legacy of educating 2000+ students,and a 100% placement record, the STS continues to break barriers and inspire more women to pursue careers in mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation trades.
By equipping them with industry-relevant skills, Vedanta Sesa Goa impactfully pursuing its objectives related to fostering equal opportunities & capacity building & helping confront long-standing stereotypes. This initiative ensures that it will effectively bridge the gap between opportunity & aspirations.
Goa, February 27, 2025 – The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the Government of Goa have joined forces to launch the ‘Student Skilling Program’ aiming to equip the youth of Goa with industry relevant skills in Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two entities, marking a significant step towards empowering young individuals with industry-relevant skills and enhancing their employability in the BFSI sector. Goa is the 5th state after Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh and Assam to partner with NSE on skilling youth.
The MoU was exchanged between Shri Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa and Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant at Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim, Goa.
Goa, with its expanding financial ecosystem, is well-positioned to be a significant contributor to this sector, provided its youth are equipped with the right skills. NSE’s Student Skilling Program initiative aligns with the Government of Goa’s vision of unlocking human capital thereby, enabling financial well-being and social mobility. NSE and the state of Goa have prioritized skill development and are committed to bridging the skill gap and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth of the state.
The Student Skilling Program will be conducted in two levels. Level 1 is a 20-hour training program, upon completion of which students will be certified in the ‘Foundation Course in BFSI.’ This will equip students with essential financial management skills, ensuring both personal and professional growth. Level 2 is a 30-hour advanced training program designed to prepare students for the NISM regulatory examination. Successful candidates will gain nationwide industry-recognized certification, enhancing their job prospects in the capital market.
Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE said “This partnership with the Government of Goa reflects our commitment to bridging the skill gap in the BFSI sector. By providing structured, high-quality training, we aim to create a workforce that is future-ready and aligned with the evolving needs of the financial industry.”
Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa, said “The signing of this MOU between the National Stock Exchange and the Government of Goa marks a significant milestone in our commitment to
equip Goan youth with industry-relevant skills in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sector. This Student Skilling Program will create pathways to rewarding careers for our talented young people while simultaneously addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in
the capital markets space. By partnering with a premier institution like NSE, we are ensuring that our students receive world-class training that aligns with industry standards and emerging trends. This collaboration is a testament to our government’s vision of transforming Goa into a knowledge hub and empowering our youth to thrive in the global economy.”
