Tag: Student Development

EduConnect

JCI Panaji Conducts “Love Beyond Romance” Session to Empower Youth in Mapusa

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

JCI Panaji, in collaboration with the Counselling Cell of Purushottom Walawalkar Higher Secondary School, Mapusa, organised a powerful and thought-provoking session titled “Love Beyond Romance” on 4 February 2026. The programme was led by Zone Trainer JC Nikita Gupta and was specially designed to guide young minds through emotional awareness, values and life skills.


Moving beyond stereotypical notions of romance, the session encouraged students to explore the deeper meaning of love as an expansive emotion rooted in empathy, responsibility and unity. Through interactive activities and open discussions, students were introduced to the idea that love extends to one’s country, community, teachers and peers, shaping a balanced and compassionate outlook on life.

The core focus of the session was on universal values and unity, with emphasis on emotional management, manners and etiquette. The training aimed to equip students with essential life skills that help bridge personal gaps, promote integrity and foster a sense of togetherness rather than isolation.

The response from both students and faculty was overwhelmingly positive. Students actively participated and resonated deeply with the fresh perspective on emotions and relationships. Faculty members expressed appreciation to JCI Panaji, noting that the session offered a meaningful and timely message for today’s youth. Encouraged by its impact, the school has requested more such initiatives to support holistic character development among students.

The programme reaffirmed the importance of nurturing empathy, respect and emotional intelligence among young individuals, preparing them to lead lives guided by understanding and universal respect.

The initiative was led by JFM Srushti Nagvekar (President), JC Sudesh Salgaonkar (Secretary), JC Runal Kerkar (Project Director) and JC Bhuushan Joshi (Vice President – Training).

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Empowering Youth Series – Day 2: JCI Sanquelim Trains Students on Time Management

Tanisha Cardozo

JCI Sanquelim successfully conducted Day 2 of its Empowering Youth Series with a focused and engaging session on Time Management for students of Honda High School, Honda. The initiative aimed to equip young students with essential skills that support both academic success and personal development.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation, with students actively engaging in discussions and activities throughout the programme. The interactive nature of the training helped students understand the importance of effective time utilisation, prioritisation of tasks, and goal setting at an early stage of their lives.

The training was led by JC HGF Nikita Desai, Zone Trainer, JCI India – Zone 11, whose practical and relatable approach resonated strongly with the students. Through real-life examples and interactive exercises, she guided participants on balancing studies with extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities.

A total of 40 students from Standard 9 actively took part in the session and benefited from the strategies and insights shared. The programme reinforced JCI Sanquelim’s commitment to empowering youth by nurturing discipline, self-awareness, and leadership qualities that will serve them well in the years ahead.

EduConnect

IGNITE 1.0: Overnight Leadership and Communication Boot Camp

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism organised IGNITE 1.0, an overnight leadership and communication boot camp held on 6 and 7 December 2025 at Salesians of Don Bosco, Odxel. Designed around the theme of “learn, unlearn and lead,” the camp aimed to strengthen students’ communication abilities, teamwork skills and interpersonal growth. A total of 23 students from the FY, SY and TY batches participated in the programme.

The camp opened with a session on problem-solving, critical thinking and social etiquette, where students were encouraged to understand their core selves, communicate effectively and recognise how perspectives differ among individuals. Interactive activities, including a team-entangling challenge, highlighted leadership, patience and collective progress, while also drawing attention to the role of body language, social cues and respectful communication.

The second session focused on leadership, teamwork and time management, using collaborative exercises to demonstrate the importance of coordination, clear goals and working toward a shared vision. Students were encouraged to dream ambitiously while learning how effective time management supports both personal and professional growth. The day concluded with a shared barbecue dinner and recreation, fostering bonding and camaraderie.

The second day began with a morning beach activity followed by a reflective prayer session that emphasised balancing future aspirations with living meaningfully in the present. Students were reminded of the determination required to pursue purposeful goals while remaining grounded in the moment.

A session on building meaningful connections highlighted the importance of authenticity, active listening and empathy in both personal and professional relationships. Through guided reflection and interactive exercises, students explored self-awareness, emotional resilience and the question of personal identity.

The final session centred on kindness and empathy, encouraging students to reflect on their place in the world, their awareness of others and how their individual skills can contribute positively to society. Through paired discussions and thoughtful activities, participants were guided toward a deeper understanding of compassion and responsibility.

IGNITE 1.0 concluded as a meaningful and transformative experience, offering students a safe and engaging space to develop essential life skills, strengthen bonds and grow as future communicators by learning, unlearning and discovering themselves along the way.

EduConnect

Goa CM Pradmod Sawant Congratulates PACT Foundation Scholars Selected for QS Youth Impact Summit 2025in London

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, met the three winners of the PACT Foundation’s Scholar Programme who have been selected to represent Goa and India at the QS Youth Impact Summit 2025 in London, UK. The meeting, held at Mahalakshmi, Altinho, underscored the State Government’s encouragement of youth leadership and sustainability-focused initiatives for Goan students. During the interaction, the Chief Minister warmly congratulated the students and emphasised the increasing importance of sustainability research, environmental stewardship, and youth-led innovation. He urged them to make the most of this rare global opportunity, explore best practices in London, and return with ideas that could contribute meaningfully to Goa’s development. He encouraged them to learn deeply and bring back knowledge that would benefit the community.

PACT Foundation, a Goa-based NGO working to uplift the education sector, has been leading several school-upgradation and youth-development initiatives across the state, including the Happy School Project. As part of its mission to empower young Goans, the foundation conducted the PACT Scholar Programme for the QS Youth Impact Summit 2025 through a statewide college competition followed by rigorous interviews. From this process, three exceptional students were selected to represent Goa at the global summit: Ms. Sumaiya Khan from St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa; Ms. Andrea Cardoso from Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim; and Ms. Raisa Mariette Pinto from V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, Panaji.

Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Founder of PACT Foundation, briefed the Chief Minister on the organisation’s broader initiatives in Goa and its commitment to empowering young Goans under the Yuva Shakti movement, aligned with the national vision of nurturing globally aware, socially responsible youth leaders. The Chief Minister presented certificates of recognition to the three students and extended his best wishes as they prepare to represent Goa on the global stage. The event was also attended by PACT Foundation members Ms. Amelia Ferrao, Co-Founder, and Mr. Darryl Fernandes, Project Executive, marking an inspiring moment for youth empowerment in Goa.

EduConnect

Don Bosco College Psychology Students Visit Sangath for Experiential Learning Session

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As part of the Mental Health Week celebrations, the Department of Psychology at Don Bosco College, Panjim, organised an enriching experiential learning visit to Sangath, Porvorim, on 8th October 2025. Thirty students from SYBA and TYBA Psychology participated in the visit, accompanied by Assistant Professors Andrea D’Souza and Tabitha Fernandes.

Upon arrival, the students were welcomed by Ms. Jaya Katiyar, who provided an insightful introduction to Sangath’s vision, mission, and ongoing initiatives. Sangath, known for its pioneering work in mental health, child development, and community-based research, offered the students a close look at real-world applications of psychology.

The interactive session featured a series of talks by Sangath’s multidisciplinary team:

  • Dr. Rohit Shah
  • Ms. Vartika Jain
  • Ms. Grace Pacheco
  • Mr. Subhash Pednekar
  • Mrs. Lalan Karapurkar
  • Mr. Rajanish Haldankar
  • Ms. Trupti Payekar

Each speaker shared their professional journey, expertise, and contributions to Sangath’s wide-ranging programmes — from research and field implementation to outreach and organisational support. Students had the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, deepening their understanding of mental health work beyond textbooks and classrooms.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Sangath premises, allowing students to observe firsthand how interdisciplinary collaboration between psychologists, researchers, field workers, and community engagement specialists leads to impactful mental health interventions.

The field trip provided students with valuable exposure to the functioning of a leading mental health organisation and reinforced the importance of empathy, community participation, and evidence-based practice in psychological work. It was an inspiring and educational experience that strengthened their connection to the field.