*Students across Bicholim & Sattari engage in AI and youth innovation at Sankalp Manthan*
*Bicholim, October 9, 2026*: Continuing the momentum of the statewide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) and the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) successfully hosted the Bicholim & Sattari cluster interaction for Sankalp Manthan at Narayan Zantye College of Commerce, Bicholim. Marking the fourth successful cluster rollout, following Tiswadi, Bardez & Pernem and Ponda & Dharbandora, the initiative forms the crucial second phase of a statewide drive designed to foster entrepreneurship and AI readiness among Goa’s students.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Chandrakant Shetye, Hon’ble MLA for Bicholim, alongside Shri. Bhushan Savaikar, Director, Directorate of Higher Education; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; Shri. DS Prashant, CEO, SITPC; Dr. Rajesh Amonkar, Vice Principal, Narayan Zantye College of Commerce and Shri. Mahesh Majik, Professor, DHE. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Chandrakant Shetye urged students to embrace hard work, leverage technology and actively position themselves as key drivers for the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The programme featured an interactive session titled ‘Getting Started with AI’ delivered by Ms. Ujwala Nhivekar, Co-Founder of TAWAI Studio, providing students with foundational knowledge on leveraging emerging technologies.
Students also gained valuable insights through a panel discussion themed ‘Architects of Viksit Bharat 2047: Driving India’s Vision Through Youth Innovation.’ Moderated by Ms. Vaibhavi Sawant (Founder & CEO, BitMento), the panel consisted of Smt. Shalini Sitaraman Menezes (Senior Partner, Menezes Gaonkar and Associates), Shri. Bhushan Savaikar (Director, DHE), Ms. Tanvi Vartak (Program Director, Venture Builder – build3), Shri. Mohiet Hastwala (Founder, MH Institute of Learning) and Shri. DS Prashant (CEO, SITPC). Delivering a keynote address on innovation, Shri. Shawn Kenneth Fernandes, Founder & CEO of Fluxatic Global & BridgeAura Academy, inspired the students by sharing five essential habits for young innovators: questioning how things are done, spending time understanding problems before solutions, building small to test fast, seeking cross-industry ideas and taking personal ownership of innovation.
As part of the preceding Sankalp Setu hackathon, shortlisted college teams from across Bicholim and Sattari pitched their project ideas to industry mentors, receiving hands-on guidance to refine their solutions. The Sankalp Manthan series will next move to the remaining clusters in South Goa.
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