Dr. Mohini Naik at Vidnyan Dhara

As part of Vidnyan Dhara 2026, an initiative by the Goa State Higher Education Council and Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, Dr. Mohini Naik was invited as a Resource Person to conduct expert sessions for school students in connection with the National Science Day celebrations.

Dr. Mohini Naik conducted the first session on 19th January 2026 at Government High School, Xeldem on the topic “Smart Cities and IoT: The Future of Connected Living.” The session introduced students to the concept of smart cities and explained how Internet of Things (IoT) technology is transforming modern lifestyles. Various real-life applications such as smart homes, traffic management systems, environmental monitoring, and healthcare technologies were discussed. The session helped students understand how connected devices work together to improve efficiency and sustainability in urban living. The students actively participated and showed enthusiasm during the interactive discussion and question-answer session.

The second and third sessions were conducted on 20th January 2026 at Guardian Angel High School, Curchorem, and 21st January 2026 at Smt. Chandrabhaga Tukoba Naik Higher Secondary School, Curchorem, on the topic “Satellites and Space Technology: Connecting the World from Above.” During these sessions, students were introduced to the basic concepts of satellites, their types, and their importance in communication, weather forecasting, navigation, disaster management, and scientific research. The sessions highlighted India’s achievements in space technology through major ISRO missions such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya-L1, and also discussed the role of the International Space Station (ISS) in supporting global scientific experiments and space research. Students were further familiarized with satellite orbits, remote sensing, and practical applications of satellites in agriculture monitoring, environmental studies, communication systems, and national security. The sessions generated active participation from students, who showed keen interest in understanding space technology and career opportunities in the field of space research.

Overall, the sessions provided valuable exposure to students by presenting emerging technologies in a simple and engaging manner. The programme successfully created awareness about advancements in science and technology and encouraged students to develop interest in STEM-related fields.