Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: As part of the ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) and the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) organised the Salcete, Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem cluster interaction of Sankalp Manthan at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
The initiative marks the second phase of a statewide youth empowerment drive aimed at nurturing problem-solving skills, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence (AI) readiness among college students across Goa.
The event was graced by Shri Govind Gaude, Hon’ble MLA for Priol; Shri Ulhas Tuenkar, Hon’ble MLA for Navelim; Shri Bhushan Savaikar, Director, DHE; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; Dr. Niyan Marchon, Programme Director, DHE; and Shri DS Prashant, CEO, SITPC.
Students from colleges across Salcete, Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem gained valuable industry insights during a panel discussion titled ‘Architects of Viksit Bharat 2047: Driving India’s Vision Through Youth Innovation’. Moderated by Smt. Vaibhavi Sawant, Founder of BitMento, the panel featured Shri Shawn Kenneth Fernandes, Founder and CEO of Fluxatic Global and BridgeAura Academy; Smt. Oindrilla Chatterjee, Founder of Women in Tech Goa; Shri Kedar Borkar, Co-Founder of Soul Travelling; Shri Pranay Prabhu Gaonkar, Chairman of the IP & Innovation Committee, ASSOCHAM-Goa; and Dr. Niyan Marchon, Programme Director, Directorate of Higher Education.
The programme also featured an interactive session titled ‘Getting Started with AI’, conducted by Ms. Ujwala Nhivekar, Co-Founder of TAWAI Studio. The session introduced students to the potential of artificial intelligence and its applications, encouraging them to explore emerging technologies and develop future-ready skills. Shri Arman Bankley, President and Co-Founder Trustee of the Vibrant Goa Foundation, delivered the keynote address.
As part of the Sankalp Setu hackathon, shortlisted student teams from the cluster presented their innovative solutions to mentors, receiving hands-on guidance and feedback to refine their projects and develop practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Through Sankalp Manthan, the state continues to provide students with opportunities to engage with industry experts, explore emerging technologies and transform their ideas into actionable solutions, reinforcing the role of youth as key contributors to innovation and nation-building.
