Tag: teaching

EduConnect

Kilowott Strengthens Industry-Academia Collaboration Through Interactive Campus Roadshows Across Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Kilowott, the Goa-based global digital transformation firm, recently completed a series of interactive campus roadshows across some of the state’s leading colleges, marking a significant step forward in strengthening industry-academia engagement. The initiative was designed to familiarize students with real-world recruitment practices, assessment processes and evolving career opportunities in the IT and technology sectors. Through a combination of interactive sessions, logical reasoning tests and psychometric assessments, students received practical exposure to the expectations and demands of the modern digital workplace.

During these engagements, Kilowott signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with St. Xavier’s College and the Goa College of Arts, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building long-term academic partnerships. These MoUs pave the way for workshops, training programs, internships and potential placement avenues, creating structured pathways for students to connect with industry needs. The roadshows collectively engaged more than 700 students across campuses including St. Xavier’s College, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Goa University, S.R.I.E.I.T College Shiroda, PCCE Verna, AITD Assagao and the Goa College of Arts. Faculty participation played an essential role in facilitating meaningful discussions between academic leaders and the Kilowott team on the alignment of curriculum with contemporary industry standards.

The high turnout at institutions such as AITD Assagao, which hosted 149 students, and Don Bosco College of Engineering, with 103 participants, reflected the growing interest among students in understanding recruitment dynamics, employability skills and the broader landscape of the digital economy. Students from varied disciplines—including Computer Engineering, IT, Electronics and Telecommunication, BBA, BCA, Mass Communication, MCA, MSc Data Science and Fine Arts—benefited from the initiative. Many expressed appreciation for the company’s focus on mentorship, leadership development and design-driven digital solutions.

Faculty members, including Vanessa Zita Furtado, Ruella D’Souza, Dr. Norman Dias, Teja Kundaikar, Prof. Manjusha Sanke, Razia de Loyola Furtado e Sardinha and Prof. Maria Ferreira, supported the sessions, further enriching the experience by enabling active dialogue on industry readiness and academic enhancement. Kilowott also held exploratory meetings with representatives from Don Bosco College Panjim and Parvatibai Chowgule College to discuss future collaborations.

The company highlighted that these roadshows are part of its broader DRIVE initiative—Develop, Ready, Inspire, Validate and Empower—an effort dedicated to preparing students for the rapidly evolving demands of the digital era. By combining industry insights with hands-on learning, Kilowott aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that Goa’s future workforce is equipped with the skills, confidence and exposure needed to thrive in a technology-driven global environment. Headquartered in Goa and operating across Asia, North America and Europe, Kilowott continues to partner with governments, Fortune 500 companies and startups worldwide to deliver digital strategy, development and design expertise. Its ongoing engagement with academic institutions reflects a long-term commitment to nurturing talent and empowering students with meaningful opportunities for growth and success.

EduConnect

Academic Resource Room Inaugurated at St Xavier’s High School, Moira with Support from PACT Foundation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St Xavier’s High School, Moira, has taken an important step in strengthening its commitment to inclusive and quality education with the inauguration of a dedicated Academic Resource Room, established with the support of the PACT Foundation. The inauguration was held in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificacao Fernandes, Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Founder of the PACT Foundation, Headmistress Noreen Dias and Manager Fr Alexander Pereira. The ceremony began with a solemn welcome, followed by prayers and blessings over the new facility. A marble plaque was unveiled and the ribbon was cut to mark the formal opening of the room. Students presented a prayer dance and a reflective monologue, creating an atmosphere of dignity and inspiration.

In his message, Bishop Fernandes drew on the example of St Francis Xavier, highlighting the acronym SFX – Space, Fostering and ‘Xtra’. He explained that the new space was created to nurture curiosity, encourage growth and provide students with the tools, support and guidance they need to learn without struggle. He emphasised that the room is designed to foster excellence not through comparison, but through collaboration and the discovery of individual potential. Whether for remedial learning, creative projects or skill development, the space invites both teachers and students to go the extra mile and to embrace lifelong learning. He also recognised Dr Ashwin Fernandes for his dedication in extending similar educational initiatives across several schools in Goa.

Dr Fernandes expressed his appreciation for the school’s commitment to student welfare and outlined the purpose behind the new Academic Resource Room. He described it as a safe haven for students who require additional academic support and a vital space for specially-abled children, made accessible by its location on the ground floor. He shared that the project forms part of the PACT Foundation’s Happy School Project, an initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of education in rural Goa. Since 2023, the Foundation has been working to strengthen under-resourced schools by improving infrastructure, integrating technology and promoting inclusive learning environments. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to provide every child with access to quality education and highlighted the room’s role in supporting students who wish to use it for extra study, equipped with a smart board and modern facilities.

Headmistress Noreen Dias expressed deep gratitude to the PACT Foundation for its consistent support through multiple projects, including the renovated pre-primary playground, the smart classroom and now the Academic Resource Room. She shared that creating such a room had long been her dream, especially for the children with special needs at the school. She noted that the use of modern technology, including the smart board, white board and improved furniture, would motivate students and significantly support their learning. She was particularly relieved that the room is located on the ground floor, making it easily accessible for a specially-abled student who previously struggled to reach the earlier resource space on an upper floor.

Fr Alexander Pereira, Manager and Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Moira, described Dr Fernandes as a blessing to the school and highlighted the numerous projects the PACT Foundation has supported, including the playground for pre-kindergarten students and the smart classrooms. He expressed his hope that this meaningful collaboration would continue to enhance the facilities available to children in Moira and the surrounding areas. The launch of the Academic Resource Room stands as a testament to the school’s vision of providing an environment where students feel respected, supported and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.

EduConnect

St. Xavier’s College Hosts Six-Day Faculty Development Programme on OER and AI in Teaching and Research

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa organized a six-day Faculty Development Programme on “Open Educational Resources and Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Research” from October 18–24, 2025. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Gervasio S. F. L. Mendes, Additional Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, with Fr. Marianno Dias, Assistant to the Secretary, Diocesan Society of Education, as Guest of Honour. Also present were Dr. Osborne Terrence Dsouza, CEO and Co-Founder of Juana Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Officiating Principal Ms. Ursula Barreto, and Administrator Rev. Fr. Antonio Salema.

Prof. Mendes, in his keynote address, praised the college for conducting a timely programme, highlighting how artificial intelligence and open educational resources are reshaping higher education. The first two days of the FDP were led by Dr. Osborne D’Souza, who introduced participants to prompt engineering and demonstrated platforms including ChatGPT, Gamma.app, and Elicit.com for academic presentations and research. He also recommended Microsoft’s AI for Educators programme and emphasized the need for educators to upskill to adapt to emerging technologies.

On the third day, Dr. Gaurang Patkar, Professor and Head of Computer Engineering at Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, conducted sessions on AI-powered leadership, neural networks, and tools such as Socrative, Plicker, and Canva AI. He encouraged faculty to use AI as a co-pilot to enhance creativity and demonstrated Python-based exercises in machine learning and deep learning.

Day four featured actor and voice artist Mr. Ashwin Mushran, who delivered an engaging session titled “Million Dollar Presence,” emphasizing effective communication, warmth, and capability in creating a strong educator presence.

The final two days were facilitated by Prof. Santhosh Kumar G of Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala, and Prof. S. Senthilnathan, Director (In-charge), UGC-MMTTC, Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu. Prof. Santhosh focused on student-centered learning, demonstrating tools like Vids, QuestionWell, Notebook LM, and AI Studio, along with hands-on activities for lesson planning and quizzes. Prof. Senthilnathan introduced faculty to OER platforms including LOC, NDLI, SWAYAM, MIT OCW, MOOCs, Virtual Labs, Khan Academy, podcasts, and blogs.

The valedictory session was graced by Joshua D’Souza, Deputy Speaker and alumnus, who praised the FDP as a game-changer for educators. The programme received positive feedback from both internal and external participants, reflecting the college’s commitment to equipping faculty with modern pedagogical tools to enhance teaching, learning, and research.

EduConnect

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce Hosts Inter Higher Secondary Elocution Competition on “AI and the Changing World”

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce, Bori-Ponda, successfully organized an Inter Higher Secondary Elocution Competition at the Ponda Taluka level on November 13, 2025, held on the college campus with the thought-provoking theme, “AI and the Changing World.” The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of various higher secondary schools across Ponda Taluka, who delved into multiple aspects of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on society.

In his inaugural address, Principal Professor Achut P. Pednekar congratulated all participants and emphasized the increasing relevance of AI in education and professional life. He encouraged students to leverage AI as a tool for personal and academic growth while cautioning against over-reliance to preserve human creativity, critical thinking, and independent judgment.

The competition was judged by Ms. Savari Sainekar, Computer Teacher at M.F.S’s Higher Secondary School, and Mrs. Sonia Desai, Librarian of the host college. Both judges praised participants for their confidence, well-researched speeches, and eloquent delivery. Ms. Sainekar highlighted that “AI is not something to be feared but a valuable asset that can help us achieve our best potential,” while Mrs. Desai encouraged students to embrace learning as a lifelong journey.

Following a series of compelling speeches, the winners were announced. Mast. Lysander Dias from Smt. Prabhavati Ankush Shirodkar Higher Secondary School secured the First Prize, while Miss Honey Priya from Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s Higher Secondary School was awarded the Second Prize. Miss Isha Borkar, also from Smt. Prabhavati Ankush Shirodkar Higher Secondary School, won the Third Prize, and Mast. Adil Hassan Momin from Dr. K.B. Hedgewar Higher Secondary School received a Consolation Prize. All participants were recognized with certificates of participation for their efforts and enthusiasm.

The programme concluded with Principal Prof. Pednekar once again congratulating winners and participants, reinforcing the importance of using technology wisely. The event was anchored skillfully by Ms. Florencia Souza, College Counsellor, and concluded with a formal vote of thanks and a group photograph, marking the end of an intellectually stimulating and successful event that ignited critical dialogue about the future of AI.

TechPulse

Google’s Quadratic Equation Doodle Turns Maths into Art and Discovery

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Google’s homepage has become an unexpected classroom, thanks to a new animated Doodle celebrating one of mathematics’ most iconic formulas: the quadratic equation. The familiar equation, ax² + bx + c = 0, has been brought to life through a vibrant animation that turns the world’s most-used search engine into an interactive lesson on algebra and creativity.

The Doodle begins with the Google logo transforming into parabolas that gracefully shift and move, showing how different values of a, b, and c shape the curve of the quadratic function. Within seconds, it highlights the equation’s roots — the points where the curve crosses the x-axis — illustrating one of maths’ most fundamental problem-solving processes in an elegant, visual form.

This Doodle is more than just a nod to school maths. It serves as a friendly reminder for students and lifelong learners that the quadratic formula is not only useful but also deeply beautiful in its symmetry and logic. Its timing aligns with the academic calendar, as October and November mark the period when many students worldwide tackle quadratic equations. Google’s own data supports this — searches for “how to solve quadratic equations” spike globally around this time each year.

By placing the quadratic equation at the heart of a global Doodle, Google is merging education, technology, and design. The animation links directly to Google’s interactive learning tools — where users can type, scan, or even speak equations into Search and receive instant, step-by-step explanations with visual aids and practice problems. This integration turns what could have been a nostalgic moment into a dynamic educational resource.

The quadratic formula itself — x = [-b ± √(b² – 4ac)] / (2a) — is one of the most recognisable equations in history. Its discriminant (Δ = b² – 4ac) determines the number and nature of its solutions, whether real or complex. Far beyond the classroom, this principle explains phenomena in physics, engineering, economics, and even computer graphics. Through this Doodle, Google connects the abstract beauty of mathematics to the real world, showing how equations underpin everything from projectile motion to digital animation.

This initiative aligns with Google’s broader mission to make learning more accessible through technology. The company has invested in AI-powered study aids and tools that allow students to interact with subjects more intuitively. By turning its homepage into a space of exploration and discovery, Google is reframing maths as something exciting and inclusive, not intimidating.

Ultimately, this Doodle is a celebration of curiosity. For some, it may bring back memories of late-night study sessions; for others, it could spark a renewed interest in the beauty of mathematics. Either way, Google has once again proven that learning can start anywhere — even with a simple search box.

The quadratic equation Doodle reminds the world that maths is not just about numbers and symbols, but about patterns, beauty, and understanding how the universe works. And for millions of users, that little animation may inspire a moment of wonder — or perhaps even a smile — as they rediscover the joy of learning.