Kshitij 2023 Report

Inaugural of Kshitij 2023 – Annual Science Project Expo

Don Bosco College of Engineering inaugurated the 6^th Edition of the Annual Science Project Expo – Kshitij 2023, on  August 17, 2023 at the college campus. The Chief guest for the event was Mr Anup Kumar Burman, Ex-Corporate Director, Operations, Blue Cross Laboratories Ltd. Mr Burman was accompanied by the Director – Fr. Kinley D’Cruz, Principal – Dr Neena Panandikar, Administrator – Fr.  Leo Pereira, Kshitij 2023 Faculty Conveners – Dr Suraj Marathe and Mr. Satyesh Kakodkar.

The inaugural ceremony began with a projection of an AV of the College and a teaser of Kshitij 2023. This was followed by lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the dignitaries. Dr Neena Panandikar, in the welcome address extended her gratitude to all the participants of the various schools and higher secondaries. She highlighted the purpose of Kshitij as a “platform for young minds to showcase their talents.”Fr Kinley D’cruz drew attention to the 50 Years Celebration of Don Bosco in Fatorda and reiterated its essence, “Guiding Youth, Creating Impact”. He spoke about the mission of Kshitij 2023, being in line with this celebration, which promotes students’ talents and helps them come up “with solutions that make life easier”.

The Chief Guest, Mr Anup Kumar Burman was introduced by Ms Manisha Fal Dessai, followed by his addressal in which he deliberated on focusing on one’s unique talents, which leads them towards a God-defined path. By giving insights to students on how to achieve their goals, he ended with a message to the participants which said, “sustainability is the need of the hour” and one should actively try to practice it. Mr Burman was presented with a token of appreciation by Fr Kinley D’Cruz. Mr Satyesh Kakodkar in his thank you note extended gratitude to all the dignitaries, organisers, coordinators, presenters, and participants from various educational institutions. The inaugural concluded with Kshitij 2023 being declared open by the Chief Guest with the cutting of a ribbon.

Valedictory function of Kshitij 2023

The Annual Science Project Expo – Kshitij 2023 concluded its two-day event on August 18, 2023 at the college campus. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr Pravin Kakode, Executive Director, Upgrade Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., and Managing Partner at Kakode Trading. Joining Mr Kakode on the dais were dignitaries: Director – Fr Kinley D’Cruz, Principal – Dr Neena Panandikar, Kshitij Convenors – Dr Suraj Marathe, and Satyesh Kakodkar.

The programme began with a projection of a video capturing the essence of Kshitij 2023. Kimberly Morais introduced the Chief Guest for the event which was followed by his addressal to the gathering. Mr Kakode spoke about India’s 30^th standing on the leading Innovative Countries’ list. He focused his advice, to the young crowd, on customer behaviour. He said that one should “look at a customer, evaluate his problems and see his needs.” Focusing on individual innovators, he advised the students to evaluate “how I can be better than I was yesterday”. The Director presented a token of gratitude to the Chief Guest.

This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony. The Departmental winners for Civil, Mechanical, ETC/ECS and Computer Engineering were declared by Nadia Baracho, Avil D’sa, Anisha Cotta and Amey Kerker respectively. The high school and higher secondary science project winners were announced by Natasha Jaques. Harrison Cota announced the winners of the mini projects by First Year Engineering Students.

The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Mr Satyesh Kakodkar, who extended his gratitude to the Chief Guest, other dignitaries, the organisers, presenters and participants from various colleges. In all there were 101 projects from over 40 high schools and higher secondaries, and 37 projects from the host college were on display too.

Teachers’ Workshop on “Advanced Technologies for Sustainability” during Kshitij 2023

Don Bosco College of Engineering (DBCE), in association with The State Council of Educational Research and Training  (SCERT), Government of Goa, conducted a workshop on “Advanced Technologies for Sustainability”, for teachers from different educational institutions, on August 18, 2023, in the institute. The workshop for teachers was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Mr. Shailesh Zingde, Director of Education in the presence of Director, DBCE – Fr Kinley D’Cruz, and Principal, DBCE – Dr. Neena Panandikar. A virtual tour of the college was displayed, followed by the address of the Principal in which she drew attention to how “learning is a continuous process” and appreciated everyone’s participation. The Director echoed similar thoughts and welcomed all teachers to the campus.

The Chief Guest, in his addressal, spoke about the importance of holding workshops, and its appropriate impact on the participants which can in turn “circulate the knowledge provided by the experience”. This marked the end of the inaugural function and the beginning of the first seminar on “Mindful Thoughts” by Mrs. Suvarna Salunke, Primary School Teacher, Navy Children School, Vasco. The next session was given by Mr. Ajit Salunke, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, DBCE Fatorda, on “Smart Agriculture” focusing on innovative ways of agricultural practice.

The session after the tea break was given by Dr. Shwetha Prassana, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, DBCE Fatorda, on “GIS and Remote Sensing.” This was followed by a college tour of the Prototyping laboratory, CNC Facility and Automobile Laboratory, guided by Mr Tanay Rege and Mr Yeshudas Muttu.

Post lunch, Mr Abhinav Apte, Certified Energy Auditor, Founder of “Energy Efficient Goa” Track Change, gave a session on “Advanced Technologies for Energy Security”. The workshop ended with the certificates being distributed to all the participants of the day. 110 teachers across various educational institutions participated in the workshop.