ONE DAY STATE LEVEL SYMPOSIUM HELD
The Government College of Arts, Science, and Commerce, Sanquelim, in collaboration with Pradnya Shakti, Goa, organized a one-day state-level symposium titled “Women in Science, Technology, and Innovations in the Amrut-Kal of Bharat”on October 10 , 2024. The welcome address was delivered by the college’s Principal, Prof. (Dr.) Namdev Gawas.
Dr. Suphala Pujari, Convener of the Research and Development Cell, introduced the keynote speaker, Prof. Savita Kerkar, former Dean of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology at Goa University. Prof. Kerkar captivated the audience with her lecture, sharing her personal research journey and offering insights into overcoming challenges faced by women in academia and research. She emphasized the disparity between male and female researchers in various fields, stressing the urgent need to bridge this gender gap. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Shubha Kauthankar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany and a member of the Research and Development Cell.
The first panelist, Prof. Seema Rath, Vice Principal (Post-Graduation) of the college and an Economics faculty member, spoke about Nobel laureates in Economics and highlighted the future prospects of the field. Prof. Purnakala Samant, Principal of Khandola College and President of Pradnya Shakti, discussed the evolution of
chemistry research over the years, emphasizing its breakthroughs and the opportunities it has created. Another panelist, Ms. Asha Arondekar, an entrepreneur and businesswoman, shared her experiences in establishing small-scale businesses and encouraged young women to develop entrepreneurial skills.
Dr. Sambhavi Gadgil, a practitioner of Ayurveda, spoke on the challenges and opportunities for women in the field of Ayurveda. She discussed emerging opportunities for women to lead innovations and research in holistic health. She called for greater support for women professionals through education and mentorship. Her talk inspired the audience to explore new possibilities in the evolving landscape of Ayurveda. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Uma Masur, Associate Professor in Botanyand Secretary of Pradnya Shakti, Goa.
Students from various departments, including Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Economics and English, actively participated in the event, alongside members of the Research and Development Cell. The session was compered by Dr. Ambika Kamat, Assistant Professor in the Department of English. Following the panel discussion, a brief valedictory function was held, where certificates and mementos were distributed to the participants. In total, 50 students and 19 teachers attended the event, making it a successful and enriching experience for all involved.