Sports

Rajashree Pednekar Creates History at Inter-College Powerlifting Championship


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji/Taleigao, January 2026: Rajashree Pednekar, a final-year MCom student of DCTโ€™s Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College, delivered a historic performance at the Inter-College Powerlifting Championship 2025โ€“26, organised by Goa University at its Silver Jubilee Hall, Taleigao, from January 14 to 16, 2026.



Competing in the 57 kg weight category, Rajashree not only secured the gold medal but also set a new championship record by lifting a combined total of 307 kg across the three powerlifting disciplines โ€” Squats, Bench Press and Deadlift.

Her exceptional performance continued to shine on the final day of the championship, where she was declared the โ€˜Strongest Woman of Goa Universityโ€™, emerging on top among 98 participants representing various colleges across Goa and competing in eight different weight categories.

The achievement was lauded by the Principal of S. S. Dempo College, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kamat, who congratulated and felicitated Rajashree for her remarkable feat. He assured her of the institutionโ€™s full support in pursuing excellence in both academics and sports.

Rajashreeโ€™s success stands as a proud moment for S. S. Dempo College and serves as an inspiration for young sportspersons across the state.

EduConnect

Gold Medal Glory for Goa: Two Goan Postgraduates Shine at National Convocation


Goa continues to make its mark on the national academic stage as two Goan postgraduates in horticulture have been honoured with Gold Medals at the 14th Convocation of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences (SHUATS), Prayagraj, held on 17th October 2025.

Mr. Utkarsh Radhika Krishnanath Sawant Dessai from Curchorem, who completed his M.Sc. in Horticulture (Post Harvest Management), and Ms. Reema Riya Ravindra Naik from Mandrem, who pursued M.Sc. in Horticulture (Fruit Science), were recognised for their exceptional academic performance and dedication to their field.

Their achievements not only bring pride to their families and institutions but also highlight the growing academic excellence emerging from Goa in the fields of horticulture and agricultural sciences. These young achievers embody the potential of Goan students who are pursuing higher education with passion, innovation, and purpose โ€” representing a new generation of scientific thinkers dedicated to sustainability and food security.

The honour at SHUATSโ€™ convocation is especially significant, given the universityโ€™s national reputation for excellence in agricultural education and research. The recognition underscores the importance of Goaโ€™s contribution to Indiaโ€™s expanding horticultural and agricultural sectors.

This achievement is a moment of pride for both Mandrem and Curchorem, and a reminder that the youth of Goa continue to shine brightly on national platforms โ€” inspiring others to pursue excellence in education, research, and innovation.

EduConnect

Aavya Secures 20th Rank Nationally in WIZ National Spell Bee 2024โ€“2025


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In an inspiring feat of academic excellence, Aavya has secured the 20th place at the National Mega Final of the WIZ National Level Spell Bee for the academic year 2024โ€“2025.

The WIZ National Spell Bee is one of Indiaโ€™s most prestigious and comprehensive spelling and language competitions. It challenges students through multiple levelsโ€”school, inter-school, state, and nationalโ€”to test and sharpen their spelling, word usage, sentence construction, pronunciation, and overall language proficiency.

Aavyaโ€™s remarkable journey began at the grassroots level, where she outshined peers in her school-level competition. Her consistent performance and unwavering dedication propelled her forward through the inter-school and state levels, ultimately earning her a place at the national stage.

At the National Mega Final, competing against top young talents from across the country, Aavya demonstrated exemplary language command and confidence. Her 20th rank places her among the finest young linguistic minds in the nation.

Her achievement has been widely celebrated, with heartfelt congratulations pouring in on social media from educators, peers, and well-wishers. Her success is a testament to the power of consistent effort, curiosity, and passion for learning.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Aavya for this commendable accomplishment and look forward to seeing where her academic journey takes her next.

EduConnect

GIM Students Shine on Global Stage: Reach Oxford Universityโ€™s โ€˜Map the Systemโ€™ Finals


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In an inspiring accomplishment, five students from Goa Institute of Management (GIM) have placed India in the global spotlight by reaching the Global Finals of the prestigious Map the System competition, organized by the University of Oxford. This recognition is not only a celebration of academic excellence but also a reflection of purpose-driven, socially conscious innovation.

The GIM team โ€“ Aryan Rajpal, Aditi Naringe, Dhruv Bhagat, Subham Das, and Yash Kabra โ€“ stood out among thousands of teams from around the world. They ranked in the top 10% globally, making GIM the only Indian business school to reach the global stage of this highly competitive event.

Their project, focused on improving access to justice in India, tackled one of the countryโ€™s most complex and systemic challenges. Using a systems thinking methodology, the team mapped out the legal landscape and proposed transformative reforms. A key component of their solution was the promotion of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) โ€” a digital-first approach to legal conflict resolution aimed at making justice faster, inclusive, and accessible to all.

The teamโ€™s work was mentored by Prof. Dr. Pravat Surya Kar, whose guidance helped them navigate the intricacies of legal systems and social innovation frameworks.

Speaking about the achievement, Dr. Kar said,

โ€œThis isnโ€™t just about a competition โ€” itโ€™s about empowering the next generation to reimagine societyโ€™s toughest problems. These students are proof that leadership with purpose is the future.โ€

This success aligns with GIMโ€™s vision to develop socially aware leaders who go beyond conventional business roles to create systemic, sustainable impact. The achievement also highlights the instituteโ€™s commitment to nurturing innovation, critical thinking, and societal relevance in its academic pursuits.

As GIM celebrates this international recognition, it also sets a strong example for Indian academia โ€” proving that with the right blend of mentorship, critical inquiry, and passion, students can indeed change the world.

EduConnect

Goa Business School Students Represent State at National Statistics Quiz, Anvesha 2.0


Panjim, July 19, 2025: In a proud academic moment for Goa, students of MA Economics from Goa Business School participated in the Anvesha 2.0 quiz competition, a nationwide initiative focused on official statistics, organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India.

Held at Kautilya Lekha Bhavan, Panjim, the event witnessed participation from top economics and statistics students across India. Anvesha 2.0 aims to foster awareness about the importance of data and official statistics in policymaking, governance, and nation-building.

The MA Economics team from Goa Business School showcased commendable analytical and quantitative skills, engaging in rigorous rounds covering national statistical systems, data interpretation, and real-world application of statistics in public administration.

This initiative reflects the increasing emphasis on data literacy and the growing role of academia in contributing to evidence-based policymaking. Events like Anvesha 2.0 not only bridge the gap between theory and practice but also encourage students to become active participants in Indiaโ€™s developmental story.

Faculty members from Goa Business School applauded the studentsโ€™ initiative and emphasized the importance of encouraging data-driven thinking in higher education.