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Inaugural Function of Student Bodies

The Inaugural function of the student bodies – Students’ Council, Cultural Council, and Sports Council was held on the 28th July at 11:00 a.m. in Hall No.1, 5th Floor, College Central Block. The Chief Guest for the programme was Prof. Vrinda Borkar, Professor and Principal, Dhempe College of Arts & Science, Panaji, Goa.

The Inaugural programme began with an invocation song by the students, followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp by the dignitaries present. The Principal, Prof. Prita D. Mallya delivered the welcome address and highlighted the essence of the responsibilities that the nominated representatives of the student bodies must shoulder.

Thereafter, the Convenors of all three Councils – Dr. Maithili Naik, Convenor of the Students’ Council, Dr. Sheetal Arondekar, Convenor of the Cultural Council, and Dr. Ajinkya Kudtarkar, Convenor of the Sports Council, introduced their respective council members and shared with the audience student members’ talents and skills.

The GS of each council, Mr. Sathvik Satardekar GS – Students’ Council, Ms. Shambhavi Naik Gaonkar, GS – Cultural Council, and Mr. Siddhivinayak Hadapad, GS – Sports Council, subsequently put forth their plan of activities for the Academic Year 2023-24.

Dr. Shami Pai, Coordinator of the B.Com Programme formally introduced the Chief Guest of the function Prof. Vrinda Borkar, who was then given a green welcome by Dr. Prita D. Mallya, Principal of the College.

Prof. Vrinda Borkar delivered her keynote address, by sharing her knowledgeable experience on various issues. She emphasized that the role of student leaders is not merely confined to the activities at the institution and that students should imbibe a sense of societal concern, especially in recent years. She also stressed the importance of the introduction of NEP and the significance of increasing one’s skills to meet the demand in the job market.

This was followed by the oath-taking ceremony, administered by the Principal, Dr. Prita D. Mallya, to the nominated student leaders in order to instill a sense of responsibility and commitment in them. This was proceeded by the pinning of badges onto the GS and LRs of the Student bodies by the Chief Guest.

As a token of appreciation, the Principal presented the Chief Guest Prof. Vrinda Borkar with a memento. The programme culminated with the Vote of Thanks proposed by the Vice Principal Dr. Edwin Barreto and the singing of the National Anthem.

Dr. Monica Patil, Assistant Professor in English and Ms. Lizette D’Costa, Assistant Professor in Economics were the comperes for the programme.

Documentary Screening

On the occasion of International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, the Green Club (Vasundhara) of the College organized a short documentary screening titled “येजंगलनहींबचा, तोशहरभीनहींबचेगा – The World’s Largest Natural Mangrove Forest, India.” The event aimed to raise awareness and emphasize the critical importance of preserving these unique coastal habitats.

The visually captivating and informative documentary showcased the ecological wonders of mangrove ecosystems, highlighting their ecological, social, and economic significance. The screening took place in Class S205 and Lab 2, with 17 students of FY B.Com attending the event.

Through this event, the Green Club (Vasundhara) sought to educate, engage, and inspire collective action for the conservation of mangroves, emphasizing their role in the well-being of present and future generations.

Kargil Vijay Diwas

The NCC Army Wing and the Cultural Council of the College organized a Poster Competition to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas to pay tribute to India’s historic victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War of 1999. The event took place on 26th July, 2023 in Hall No. 1.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is a significant occasion that honors the bravery and sacrifices of our armed forces who fought valiantly to safeguard our nation’s integrity and sovereignty during the Kargil conflict. To mark this momentous day, the College united 17 enthusiastic students, comprising 9 girls and 8 boys, who participated wholeheartedly in the Poster Competition.

The judging panel for the event was composed of esteemed faculty members, including Ms. Sheryl Sanches – Asst. Professor in Commerce, Mr. Jayant Panvelkar – Asst. Professor in Management, and Ms. Rakshavi Dessai – Asst. Professor in Computer Science.  Mr. Kartik Sanikatta (SY B.Com), Mr. Shreyash Naik (FY B.Com) and Ms. Natisha Borkar (TY B.Com) won the first, second and third places respectively.  The event was coordinated by Lt. Sandesh Gaonkar, NCC Officer.  Overall, the Poster Competition served as a poignant tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War, instilling a sense of patriotism and pride in the hearts of the participants and attendees. It also showcased the creative and artistic talent present among the students of the College. The students in charge of the event were Ms. Lavanya Mhapsekar & Ms. Shambhavi Naik.

Investor Hub Activity 5

The Department of Management Studies organized an activity under Investor Hub on July 22, 2023. The event took place in Room No. F 403.  The event was organized by SY BBA(FS) B class students. The event comprised 12 teams, with each team consisting of 7 members. The main focus of this event was to enhance students’ financial knowledge, logical thinking, memory skills, and teamwork.

The Investor Hub activity was structured in four rounds, each designed to test specific skills and knowledge of the participants.

Round 1 was Riddleland Revelry: In this round, logical riddles were presented to all the teams. The participants had to apply critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to decipher and respond to the riddles effectively.

Round 2 was Financial Quiz: The second round focused on financial knowledge and understanding. Teams answered questions related to financial concepts, theories, and practical scenarios. Based on their performance in the first two rounds, some teams were eliminated, while the remaining teams advanced to the next round.

Round 3 was Rapid Fire: During this round, one member from each team faced a rapid-fire session where a series of questions were asked within a limited time frame. The ability to think quickly and accurately was crucial to scoring well in this round. The number of correct answers provided by each participant was tallied, and the teams with the highest scores qualified for the final round.

Round 4 was a Memory Game: The final round required two teams, which qualified from the previous round, to demonstrate their memory and teamwork. Several items were placed on a table, and one member from each team was given a brief period to observe and memorize their arrangement. Afterward, the items were reshuffled, and the teams had to recreate the original arrangement based on their memory. The team leaders were not allowed to touch any objects or speak but had to quietly guide their team members through actions. The team with the most accurate recreation of the original arrangement emerged as the winner of the Investor Hub activity.

The event provided a platform for students to showcase their financial knowledge, logical reasoning, and memory skills. Additionally, it promoted teamwork and collaboration among the participants. The engaging and competitive nature of the activity ensured an enjoyable and enriching experience for all involved.

Farewell/Felicitation Function of Mrs. Sharmila Kunde

The Staff Recreation Club of the College organized a farewell function for Mrs. Sharmila Kunde on 22nd July 2023 at 12:30 p.m. in Hall No. 2 of the Central Block. The Principal welcomed the gathering and expressed her heartfelt emotions and gratitude towards Mrs. Sharmila Kunde for her dedicated service to the Institution. This was followed by students sharing their cherished memories of Sharmila Ma’am. A special video presentation was showcased, which highlighted the beautiful memories created by Ms. Sharmila during her tenure at the Institution. Faculty members, Dr. Anjali Sajilal and Dr. Sheetal Arondekar expressed their appreciation and admiration for Mrs. Sharmila Kunde’s dedication, knowledge, and contribution to the Department and the Institution as a whole.

As a token of gratitude and appreciation, a special memento along with a citation was presented to Mrs. Sharmila Kunde by the Chairman of the College Governing Council and Treasurer of VVM, CA. Uttam Bene. This was followed by farewell cake cutting ceremony. Mrs. Sharmila Kunde then took the stage to express her gratitude for the love and support she received throughout her journey at the Institution. She shared some heartfelt words and fond memories of her time at the Institution. Asst. Professor Lizette D’Costa and Asst. Professor Marjina Shaikh were the comperes for the farewell function. The function ended with a few photographs clicked with Mrs. Sharmila Kunde. Refreshments were served at the end of the function.

“Magic of Vedic Mathematics: A hands-on training session for efficient calculations”

The Department of Management Studies organized a session titled “Magic of Vedic Mathematics: A hands-on training session for efficient calculations” on 18th July 2023 from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm. The event took place in Hall No. 1, College Central Block and was open to all the students of the College. The primary objective of this session was to equip students with valuable mental math skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and foster a positive attitude towards Mathematics by introducing them to the fascinating world of Vedic Mathematics.

Ms. Naychell Miranda, a FY BBA student compered the session. Ms. Glace D’Souza, a student of FY BBA introduced the Resource Person to the audience. The esteemed Resource Person for the session was Mr. Sagar Ram Sakordekar, a highly accomplished individual holding degrees in B.E, M.C.A, and A.M.I.E. He is also the Founder of SRS Vedic Mathematics Academy, known for his expertise in Vedic Mathematics.

Mr. Sagar passionately explained various Vedic techniques in detail, demonstrating their practical application through real-life examples. With his expertise in Vedic Mathematics, he showcased how these techniques enable individuals to perform complex calculations mentally, without the need for calculators or pen and paper. Engaging the audience effectively, he provided a substantial number of practice problems to the students, encouraging them to actively participate in solving the exercises. The students responded with great enthusiasm, eagerly taking on the challenges and showcasing their improved problem-solving skills.

The session proved to be a valuable learning experience, equipping students with powerful mental math skills and instilling in them a newfound interest and positive attitude towards Mathematics. 67 students attended the session, at the end of which, the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Ms. Delilah Vaz, a student of FYBBA.

Counseling Cell Orientation

The Counseling Cell of the College organized an orientation program for newly admitted students of all the programmes from 11th to 27th July 2023. The objective of the orientation was to create awareness on mental health problems and inform students about Counseling services provided to them by the College. The speaker for the orientation was Ms. Eshani Bakhle, College Counselor.

The speaker began the session by imparting knowledge to the students about the indicators of good mental health, the various professions involved in the field of mental health, and providing a brief overview of mental illnesses. In an effort to raise awareness about mental health, the speaker also debunked common myths associated with mental health problems. During the session, the common mental health problems faced by students were discussed, allowing the students to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they or their peers might encounter.  The speaker proceeded to inform the students about the array of services provided by the Counseling Cell, which encompassed individual counseling sessions, joint sessions, career guidance, and various mental health-related activities organized by the Cell.  The Counselor emphasized the significance of confidentiality and autonomy in the Counseling process.

She explained the step-by-step process of Counseling, which involved exploring the client’s case history, assisting the students in coping with their difficulties, employing action or thought-based techniques, developing an action plan, and determining the number of sessions required for effective support. Notably, the students were informed that all Counseling sessions provided by the College are offered free of cost, ensuring accessibility to the necessary help and guidance.

At the end, the students were guided on recognizing when to seek help for mental health concerns.

World Youth Skill Day

The Directorate of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Panaji, and Government ITI Margao jointly organized the “World Youth Skill Day” program on 15th July 2023 at Ravindra Bhavan Margao. The event aimed to offer apprenticeship contracts to selected candidates under the Chief Minister’s Apprenticeship Policy. 39 NSS volunteers attended the program.

The program commenced with a warm welcome address delivered by Shri. Rama Naik, the Principal of Government ITI Margao. He also introduced the esteemed Chief Guests for the occasion, Shri. Subhash Uttam Phal Dessai, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare, and Shri. Ulhas Yeshwant Tuenkar, Hon’ble MLA of Navelim Constituency.

Following the introduction of the Chief Guests, the ceremony proceeded with the presentation of apprenticeship contracts to the selected candidates who had registered for various posts. The distribution of these contracts marked a significant step in providing valuable opportunities to the young aspirants.

A notable highlight of the event was the live online session with the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant. In his inspiring speech, he emphasized the immense importance of apprenticeship in honing the skills and abilities of the youth. He encouraged all the participants to seize every opportunity available to them and strive for excellence in their chosen fields.

Shri. Subhash Phal Dessai shared valuable insights, stressing the need to shift the mindset of people regarding public and private sector jobs. He also conveyed the Government’s commitment to conducting all future recruitments through the Staff Selection Commission and based on merit.

At the end, faculty in-charge of Government ITI Margao proposed the Vote of Thanks.

Orientation Session on MOOCs – SWAYAM

The Post Graduate Department of Commerce organized an Orientation on MOOCs – SWAYAM on 15th July 2023 between 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m in classroom T-304. The session was delivered by Ms. Twinkle Fernandes, Programme Coordinator. The main objective of the session was to give insights to students on SWAYAM, a platform for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) initiated by Government of India.

Ms. Twinkle initiated the session by providing a concise overview of SWAYAM, which stands for ‘Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds.’ She emphasized the three fundamental principles of SWAYAM, namely Access, Equity, and Quality, highlighting how this platform aims to ensure equal access to quality education for all, bridging the digital divide. She also briefly explained the term SWAYAM PRABHA. During the session, Ms. Twinkle delved into the regulatory frameworks governing SWAYAM, as well as the roles of National Coordinators and Sectors involved in managing and facilitating the platform’s operations. She elaborated on the different agencies involved in this initiative and emphasized SWAYAM’s holistic approach, which is based on a four-quadrant model.

Ms. Twinkle then went on to explain the SWAYAM certification process, offering insights into how learners can earn certifications upon completing courses. She demonstrated the functioning of the SWAYAM Portal on-screen, giving students a glimpse of the user interface and its interactive features. In terms of course duration, Ms. Twinkle informed the students that courses on SWAYAM typically span from 3 to 12 weeks, accommodating various levels of engagement based on the learners’ preferences and time commitments.

Furthermore, she highlighted the availability of both Credit and Non-Credit course certificates for participants. Students who achieve a minimum score of 75% can opt for certification by paying a nominal fee, adding value to their academic accomplishments.

In the end, the students cleared their doubts on various aspects of SWAYAM platform. 40 PG students attended the session.

The report is contributed by Ms. Gauravi Kasar, M.Com-II

Investor Hub Activity 4

The Department of Management Studies organized an Investor Hub activity for the students of BBA and BBA(FS) on July 15, 2023. The purpose of this activity was to promote teamwork and enhance knowledge related to finance and the stock market.

The activity began with Round 1, where each team, consisting of students, was asked finance and stock market-related questions. The questions were designed to test their understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply financial knowledge. Teams that answered correctly and scored the most points qualified for the next round.

In Round 2, qualified teams participated in a team-based challenge. Each team was asked to draw lots, which had points mentioned on them. Based on the number on the lots, the teams were instructed to stand at a designated place and hit a target from a specific distance.

The objective was for the teams to work together and coordinate their efforts to hit the target accurately. This activity aimed to promote collaboration, communication, and strategic thinking among the participants.

Throughout the event, the teams engaged in friendly competition, showcasing their knowledge, teamwork skills, and ability to handle pressure.

The Investor Hub activity provided an interactive and engaging platform for BBA and BBA(FS) students to apply their finance and stock market knowledge while fostering teamwork and enhancing their overall learning experience.