Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant met and felicitated 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 the Chief Minister’s residence, Mahalakshmi, Altinho, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting youth leadership and sustainability-driven initiatives among Goan students. Dr. Sawant warmly congratulated the scholars and highlighted the increasing importance of environmental stewardship, sustainability research and youth-led innovation.
He encouraged them to absorb global best practices during their visit and return with new ideas to support Goa’s development. “Not everyone receives an opportunity like this. Make the most of it, learn deeply, and bring that knowledge back to our community,” he advised.
The PACT Foundation, a Goa-based NGO working to uplift the education sector, organised the PACT Scholar Programme across colleges in September and October, followed by rigorous interviews. From this process, three students were selected to attend the international summit.
The chosen scholars are Ms. Sumaiya Khan (St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa), Ms. Andrea Cardoso (Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim), and Ms. Raisa Mariette Pinto (V. M. Salgaocar College of Law, Panaji).
PACT Foundation Founder, Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, briefed the Chief Minister on the organisation’s broader efforts under the Yuva Shakti movement to cultivate globally aware and socially responsible youth leaders. The Chief Minister presented commemorative certificates to the selected students and wished them success as ambassadors of Goa on the global stage.
The ceremony was also attended by PACT Foundation members Ms. Amelia Ferrao, Co-Founder, and Mr. Darryl Fernandes, Project Executive.
