DREAM BIG 2026

The fifth edition of DREAM BIG 2026, a flagship event organized by the Department of Computer Engineering, Don Bosco College of Engineering (DBCE), was successfully conducted on 17th April 2026. The event served as a dynamic platform for students to engage with industry professionals, gain valuable insights, and explore emerging technologies beyond traditional classroom learning.

The program commenced with a warm welcome by the host, Ms. Shanaia, who introduced the vision and essence of DREAM BIG 2026. This was followed by a short video presentation showcasing the department’s achievements and the journey of the DREAM BIG series over the years.

Dr. Gaurang Patkar, Head of the Department, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry. She encouraged students to take initiative in their learning and highlighted how strong industry connections can significantly enhance career opportunities. She also appreciated the speakers and organizing team for their efforts in making the event a success. The event was livestreamed and telecast on Goa News Hub.

The event featured distinguished industry leaders who shared their experiences through engaging “Couch Sessions”:

Session 1: Designing the Future & Personal Accountability
Moderator: Mr. Eric Faleiro
Speaker: Mr. Sumukh Kamat (Founder, The Energy Footprint)
Mr. Kamat, a specialist in Product Design, emphasized that personal accountability is the foundation of professional growth. He highlighted the importance of maintaining the right pace in the industry, cultivating good habits, continuous learning, and networking. He stressed that “teaching with the intent of learning” is one of the most effective ways to gain mastery in any domain. He encouraged students to go beyond expectations, stay updated with current trends, and pursue interests across multiple domains to build a versatile skill set.

Session 2: Global to Local – The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Moderator: Ms. Juveriya Shaikh
Speaker: Ms. Asha Arondekar (Entrepreneur & Founder, Global to Local)
Ms. Arondekar shared her entrepreneurial journey, having started her business at the age of 19 and built a successful pharmaceutical and wellness venture. She introduced her platform, Global to Local, which empowers women entrepreneurs. She emphasized the importance of “unlearning and relearning” to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving world and encouraged students to focus on purpose-driven ventures. Addressing audience queries, she noted that stress is often temporary and can be managed with patience. She also highlighted the importance of listening as a leader while maintaining clarity and conviction in decision-making.

Session 3: Resilience & Digital Accessibility
Moderator: Mr. Shrinivas Inamdar
Speaker: Mr. Ankur Kankonkar (Founder, IncluSeer)
Mr. Kankonkar shared his inspiring journey of overcoming vision loss and achieving academic excellence. He spoke about his startup, IncluSeer, which focuses on enhancing digital accessibility. He encouraged students to “fail fast and learn faster,” emphasizing that while talent initiates success, resilience ensures its completion. He also introduced practical productivity techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique and identifying “Most Important Tasks” (MITs) for effective time management. The session concluded with an emphasis on cultivating a consistent reading habit to broaden knowledge and perspective.

The success of the event was made possible through the collective efforts of the department and its partner organizations. Dr. Gaurang Patkar presented mementos to the speakers as a token of appreciation for their valuable contributions.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Janhavi Shet Tilve, who expressed sincere gratitude to the dignitaries, speakers, moderators, and participants. Special appreciation was extended to the organizing team for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the smooth execution of the event. The organizers also acknowledged the support of sponsors—Luarc, Conexao Technology Solutions, Stanza Infotech, and Bodhami.