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Knowledge Sharing Session

The Faculty Development Programme (FDP) Cell of VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics organized a Knowledge Sharing Session on 17th April 2025 at 12:00 noon in the College Smart Classroom. The session aimed to disseminate the key learnings and experiences of faculty members who participated in various Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs), workshops, and conferences during the academic year 2024–25.

The session began with Dr. Mamta Kane, Ms. Pooja Shanbhag, and Mr. Andre Pacheco who elaborated on their participation in a Two-Day National Level FDP on “Outcome Based Education under NEP 2020”, held on 25th and 26th October 2024. Their session highlighted the significance of aligning curriculum and teaching practices with NEP objectives.

This was followed by Dr. Maithili Naik and Dr. Sheetal Arondekar, who recounted their experience at an Advanced Research Workshop conducted by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Goa, at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Mohali from 9th to 13th December 2024. They focused on advanced research methodologies and scholarly publication strategies.

In the domain of technology and innovation, Mr. Sumit Kumar and Ms. Rama Borkar presented their learnings from a Five-Day FDP on Exploring Deep Learning using TensorFlow organized by DHE from 20th to 24th January 2025. Their session explored neural networks and practical applications of TensorFlow in educational research.

Complementing this, Mr. Sameer Patil discussed insights from an AICTE-sponsored FDP on “Practical Data Science and Advanced Machine Learning using Python”, hosted by IIIT Kottayam, Kerala during the same dates. His session focused on the practical implementation of machine learning algorithms for data-driven.

Ms. Pretty Pereira shared her experience of attending a National Level FDP on “Data Analysis in Social Sciences”, organized by SES’s Sridora Caculo College, Mapusa, from 22nd to 26th October 2024, which provided comprehensive on statistical tools and techniques for analyzing social science data.

Next, Ms. Kalpana Parab and Ms. Akshada Gaonkar provided shared insights of the “Advancement in Modern Accountancy” workshop, held on 4th July 2024 at GVM’s College, Ponda.

Further enhancing research methodology discussions, Dr. Lira M. Gama and Dr. Lizette D’Costa shared insights from a State-Level Workshop on “Research Methodology using JAMOVI” held at Narayan Zantye College of Commerce, Bicholim on 20th and 21st September 2024. They emphasized the software’s utility in simplifying statistical analysis for research purposes useful for faculty as well as students.

Additionally, Ms. Swati Bhat, Dr. Lizette D’Costa, and Ms. Edrea Picardo highlighted key takeaways from the Young Researchers Conference & Workshop on “Academic Writing & Publishing” held at BITS Pilani, Goa from 22nd to 24th January 2025, focusing on effective academic writing, manuscript preparation, and navigating peer-reviewed journals.

Finally, Ms. Valencia Baptista shared her learning from a State-Level Workshop on “Fundamentals of Econometrics in Research”, conducted on 7th March 2025 at DM’s College and Research Centre, Assagao, which offered a foundational understanding of econometric models for empirical research.

The Knowledge Sharing session proved to be an enriching platform for cross-disciplinary learning and emphasized the College’s commitment to continuous professional development, promoting a culture of collaborative learning and academic excellence. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Lizette D’Costa, Assistant Professor and Faculty-in-Charge of the FDP Cell, who acknowledged the active participation of 31 faculty members (5 males, 26 females) and the ongoing support of the management in promoting a collaborative academic environment.

Expected Outcome of the Activity

To disseminate the learnings and experiences of faculty members who actively participated in FDPs, workshops, and conferences during the academic year 2024–25, thereby fostering a culture of shared academic growth and collaboration.

Civil Defence Mock Drill at Indian Oil Corporation

The South Goa District Disaster Management Cell organized a Civil Defence Mock Drill on 7th May 2025 at the Indian Oil Corporation, Vasco. The primary objective of the drill was to train personnel and stakeholders in effective emergency response, particularly within high-risk industrial zones.

A total of 6 cadets from the NCC Naval Wing, comprising 5 Senior Division (SD) and 1 Senior Wing (SW) cadet, actively participated in the event. These cadets were part of a larger group of 40 cadets from the 1 Goa Naval Unit NCC.

The mock drill simulated various emergency scenarios including fires, explosions, evacuation procedures, and first aid response. NCC cadets not only observed but also engaged with fire services, civil defence teams, and local law enforcement, gaining valuable insights into real-time emergency protocols and disaster management strategies.

This hands-on experience emphasized teamwork, communication, coordination, and quick decision-making, skills that are crucial in crisis situations. The cadets showcased discipline and readiness throughout the drill, reinforcing their role as responsible and trained youth in national service.

The initiative successfully highlighted the significance of youth involvement in civil defence and disaster preparedness. It served as an eye-opener for the cadets, enriching their understanding of emergency response systems and cultivating a sense of civic responsibility.

The Civil Defence Mock Drill proved to be an impactful and educational event for the participating NCC cadets. It not only strengthened their practical knowledge of disaster management but also enhanced their preparedness to serve the nation in times of need.

Session on “Understanding of Service Conditions for College Educators”

The Faculty Development Programme (FDP) Cell of VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics organized an informative and interactive session titled “Understanding of Service Conditions for College Educators” on 03rd May 2025 in the College Smart Classroom. The session was held from 08:15 a.m. to 09:00 a.m. and was attended by 21 faculty members (6 males, 15 females).

The primary objective of the session was to enhance faculty awareness of service conditions as stipulated under the statutes and ordinances of Goa University, in alignment with UGC guidelines. The session was facilitated by Prof. (CA) Subrahmanya Bhat, Associate Professor in Commerce & Management, who brought clarity to many complex administrative and service-related aspects.

Prof. Bhat elaborated on crucial components such as:

Appointment and recruitment procedures
Promotion policies under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS)
Leave entitlements and rules
Retirement benefits
Code of conduct for faculty members

The interactive Q&A segment allowed faculty to voice their queries and receive guidance on real-world scenarios they encounter in academic service. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the session, suggesting further workshops to stay updated on evolving policies and procedures.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Lizette D’Costa, faculty in-charge of the FDP Cell, expressed sincere gratitude to Prof. Bhat for his comprehensive and engaging presentation. She also thanked the participants for their active involvement, which contributed to making the session both enriching and impactful.

Expected Outcome of the Activity

To enhance faculty awareness and understanding of service conditions as per the statutes and ordinances of Goa University, thereby empowering them to navigate institutional policies more effectively.

Farewell Fusion – The Final Chapter for TY students

The Students’ Council of VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics organized a heartfelt farewell event titled “Farewell Fusion – The Final Chapter” on 10th April 2025 in Hall No. 1. The event was dedicated to celebrating and bidding farewell to the outgoing final-year students of B.Com, BBA, BCA, and BBA (Financial Services) programs.

The program commenced with a warm welcome, setting the tone for an emotional and joyful afternoon. A vibrant group dance performance and an engaging game of “Head & Shoulder” added fun and excitement to the celebration. Heartfelt speeches were delivered by three final-year students – Miss Abha Naik (TY B.Com), Miss Aifa (TY BCA), and Mr. Prajwalit Gaonkar (TY BBA FS) – who reminisced about their college journey and expressed gratitude for the experiences and friendships formed. A slideshow presentation featuring memories and farewell messages from faculty members evoked emotions across the room.

To add to the joy, spot prizes were distributed throughout the event. Each TY student was gifted a rose and a chocolate as a token of love and appreciation. The celebration concluded with a lively DJ session, allowing students to unwind and dance with their peers one last time as college students.

Faculty members including Mr. Sumit Kumar, Dr. Anjali Sajilal, Dr. Subrahmanya Bhat, Dr. Lira Menezes Gama, and Ms. Ashwini Devari also addressed the gathering, sharing words of encouragement and wishing the students success in their future endeavors.

Expected Outcomes of the Activity
The event aimed to offer a memorable conclusion to the academic journey of the outgoing batch, strengthen the emotional bond between students and faculty, and recognize the contributions of the graduating students to college life. It served as a meaningful opportunity for students to reflect, express gratitude, and celebrate their achievements.

Preparatory Sessions titled “Boost Your Brain: Logical Reasoning & Maths Essentials”

As part of the preparatory support for students aspiring to join the BBA(Financial Services) program, a two-day online session titled “Boost Your Brain: Logical Reasoning & Maths Essentials” was conducted on the 9th and 10th of April 2025 via Google Meet. The sessions were facilitated by Ms. Yugandhara Joshi, Assistant Professor in Mathematics, with the objective of strengthening students’ analytical thinking and quantitative aptitude – both critical components of the entrance examination.

Spanning two hours each day, the sessions introduced students to a variety of logical reasoning topics such as patterns, puzzles, syllogisms, and number series. Key mathematical concepts including percentages, ratios, averages, and basic data interpretation were also covered in detail.

Ms. Joshi’s interactive and student-friendly teaching approach incorporated practical tips, problem-solving strategies, and shortcut techniques, which helped maintain student engagement and encouraged active participation. The focus remained on developing conceptual clarity, enhancing problem-solving speed, and improving accuracy. A total of 46 students (18 males, 28 females) attended the sessions.

Expected Outcome of the Activity

Students demonstrated increased confidence in applying logical reasoning techniques and solving quantitative problems. The sessions significantly boosted their preparedness for the entrance exam by reinforcing foundational concepts and promoting efficient problem-solving methods.

Session on “Dissertation Writing: Structure, Format & Key Guidelines”

The Post Graduate Department of Commerce organized a session on ‘Dissertation Writing: Structure, Format & Key Guidelines’ for M.Com Part II students on 8th April 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in Classroom T-302. The session aimed to provide students with a clear understanding of the structure, formatting requirements, and key components essential for writing a well-organized and academically robust dissertation.

The session was conducted by Assistant Professor and Exam In-charge, Ms. Valencia Baptista, who offered detailed guidance on organizing the dissertation effectively. She explained the standard sequence of chapters, the purpose and content of each section, and the academic expectations for dissertation writing. Particular emphasis was laid on the Research Methodology section, especially the incorporation of reliability and validity tables. Ms. Baptista also highlighted the significance of including practical recommendations and identifying the scope for future research.

Additionally, she guided students on articulating research objectives within the Analysis chapter, ensuring clarity and coherence. She explained the correct formatting of tables, appropriate headings, and the significance of consistency throughout the report. Formatting elements such as font size, paragraph spacing, margin settings, and proper page numbering for the preliminary pages, main content, and appendices were also covered in detail.

The guidance session proved to be exceptionally beneficial, particularly for students who were previously uncertain about the correct format for their dissertation reports. Ma’am Valencia ensured thorough clarity by addressing every aspect of the report writing process in detail. She also fostered an interactive environment by patiently answering all questions raised by the students. A total of 38 students (12 males, 26 females) attended the session and gained valuable insights into dissertation writing.

Expected Outcomes of the Activity

The students are expected to demonstrate a clearer understanding of the dissertation structure, appropriate academic writing conventions, and formatting standards. The session aimed to reduce errors, enhance consistency, and instill confidence among students in preparing their final reports. With the guidelines shared, students are better prepared to draft well-organized, professionally formatted, and academically sound dissertations in line with institutional expectations.

Session titled “Computation of Income Tax under Old and New Regimes”

The Faculty Development Programme (FDP) Cell of VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics organized an insightful session titled “Computation of Income Tax under Old and New Regimes” on 15th April 2025 at 11:00 AM in the College Smart Classroom. The primary objective of the session was to enhance the understanding of income tax computation among 22 teaching faculty (03 males, 19 females) and 1 non-teaching faculty (1 male) members, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions regarding tax planning under both regimes.

The session was conducted by Prof. (CA) Subrahmanya Bhat, Associate Professor in Commerce & Management. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Prof. Bhat delivered a comprehensive and comparative overview of the old and new tax regimes. Key topics included the applicable tax slab structures, deductions available under sections such as 80C and 80D in the old regime, and the simplified slab system with limited exemptions in the new regime.

Using practical illustrations and real-life examples, Prof. Bhat explained how individuals can evaluate which regime may be more financially beneficial based on their income levels and eligible deductions. The session was highly interactive, with active participation from faculty members who posed thoughtful questions on topics related to exemptions, tax planning, and filing procedures.

The session concluded with a Q&A segment, further enriching the discussion and enhancing participant understanding. Assistant Professor Dr. Lizette D’Costa, Faculty-in-Charge of the FDP Cell, concluded the session by expressing her appreciation to the resource person and participants for making the event a successful and engaging learning experience.

Expected Outcome of the Activity

Faculty members were equipped with practical knowledge and techniques to compute income tax under both the old and new regimes, enabling better financial decision-making and tax planning.

TY BCA Project Demo for SY BCA Students

On 7th April 2025, the Department of Computer Science organized a Project Demonstration session wherein Third Year BCA students presented their final-year projects to the Second Year BCA students. The session was held in Classroom S207 from 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM and was coordinated by Asst. Prof. Shruti Kunkolienkar, BCA Project Coordinator. The purpose of the session was to offer SY BCA students a practical overview of the final-year project expectations and processes.

The event began with a brief orientation by Ms. Shruti Kunkolienkar, who explained the importance of the BCA project in the curriculum and how it serves as a bridge between academic learning and industry-relevant skills. Following the orientation, 09 TY BCA project groups presented their projects. Each group highlighted their project’s objectives, technologies and platforms used, development methodologies adopted, challenges encountered during implementation, and final outcomes.

The demonstration offered SY students’ valuable insights into selecting feasible and impactful project topics, applying suitable technologies, and adhering to project timelines. TY students also shared their experiences, best practices, and common pitfalls, encouraging peer learning and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Atotal of 73 students (48 males, 25 females) participated in the activity.

Expected Outcomes of the Activity

The project demo session significantly enhanced the understanding of SY BCA students regarding the expectations and structure of final-year projects. It helped them gain practical exposure to project planning, execution, and presentation. The interactive nature of the session clarified doubts, boosted the confidence of the participants, and provided a roadmap for their own project journey. The initiative successfully promoted peer-to-peer learning and encouraged innovation, teamwork, and early project preparedness among SY students.

VVM’s Shree Damodar College Annual Awards Day 2025

VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics, Margao, Goa, celebrated its Annual Awards Day Function on 5th April 2025 at the Ganesh Daivajna Auditorium, G.R. Kare College of Law, Margao. The event served as a tribute to student excellence across academics, cultural activities, sports, Students’ Council, NCC, and NSS. Students who had cleared professional qualifying examinations such as CA Foundation and CFA were also felicitated.

The Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr. Shantanu Sheorey, Director of Knowmagin Eduverse and Founder of One School Goa. The function was graced by other esteemed dignitaries, including:

Nitin Kuncolienkar, President, Vidya Vikas Mandal
Uttam Bene, Chairman, Vidya Vikas Mandal
Prita Mallya, Campus Director, Vidya Vikas Mandal
Dr. Sanjay Sawant Dessai, Principal, VVM’s Shree Damodar College
Shami Pai and Dr. Sheetal Arondekar, Vice Principals of the College

The event commenced with a soulful invocation song performed by the students, followed by the garlanding of the portrait of Lord Damodar by the dignitaries.

Mr. Nitin Kuncolienkar delivered the welcome address, in which he acknowledged the presence of all dignitaries and reiterated the vision of the Mandal to position Damodar College at the forefront of technological advancement in India. He concluded his speech by extending his best wishes to all the awardees. A potted plant was then presented to the Chief Guest as a token of appreciation and goodwill.

Principal Prof. Dr. Sanjay Sawant Dessai presented the Annual Report for the academic year 2024–25, highlighting the achievements of various departments, faculty members, and student bodies.

This was followed by the presentation of council reports by representatives of the Students’ Council, Cultural Council, and Sports Council, summarizing their respective contributions and activities over the year.

Vice Principal Dr. Sheetal Arondekar introduced the Chief Guest to the audience. In his keynote address, Mr. Shantanu Sheorey quoted the Prime Minister’s emphasis under the National Education Policy (NEP) on the importance of imagination and creativity. He challenged the myth that creativity is exclusive to artists, sharing his own journey from a graphic designer to a photographer and eventually a director of ad films. He encouraged students to aspire to become job creators rather than job seekers, advocating for an entrepreneurial mindset and a never-give-up attitude. He also cautioned against relying on the “jugaad” mindset and urged students to think innovatively for personal growth and the development of society.

A special moment of the event was the release of the E-book titled “Damodar Dreamscape”, commemorating the Golden Jubilee Year of the College. The release was done at the hands of the Chief Guest.

The highlight of the event was the Prize Distribution Ceremony, where deserving students were honored for their exceptional performances and achievements.

As the function drew to a close, Mr. Nitin Kuncolienkar presented a memento to the Chief Guest as a token of appreciation. Dr. Shami Pai, Vice Principal, proposed the Vote of Thanks. The event was seamlessly conducted and compered by Dr. Mamata Kane and Dr. Lira Menezes Gama.

Participation at Business Plan Competition

A team comprising TY B.Com students Mr. Harsh Kalal and Mr. Mayur Naik represented VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics at the intercollegiate business plan competition, organized by GVM’s Gopal Govind Poy Raiturcar College of ‘The Next Unicorn’ Commerce and Economics on 4th April 2025 from 10:00 AM onwards.

The competition aimed to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking among undergraduate students. The team presented a business plan titled ‘ThetaEdge: Revolutionizing Options Trading in India’, which proposed a consolidated software platform designed to analyze and execute options trading strategies effectively.

Their innovative approach and practical solution earned them 2nd place in the competition. The students were mentored and guided by Asst. Prof. Sheryl Sanches throughout the preparation phase. The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge in a competitive, real-world setting while enhancing their entrepreneurial and presentation skills.