Goa University celebrated its 38th Foundation Day today. At a function held at the Goa University in Taleigao, the Chief Guest, Governor and Chancellor of Goa University, Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, said that the day was an important day for stakeholders to review GU’s work and plan for a brighter future.
The Governor while delivering a lecture, ‘Endless Journey to Achieve the Goal’, said that GU has grown steadily since its inception, expanding its reach both in terms of number of affiliated colleges-professional and general education, as well as the diversity of courses offered.
Calling National Education Policy (NEP) a landmark document, the Governor said it lays the foundation for New India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. He said that GU is committed to implement the NEP in higher education and has taken initiatives like amalgamation of various teaching departments into Ten Schools of Studies to make it flexible and provide a multi-disciplinary and holistic education. He informed that three more schools are planned to be established under GU.
He further informed that GU is developing programmes and courses that will help in Open Distance Learning and is also planning to initiate dual degree programs in collaboration with foreign universities. Congratulating the GU for successfully implementing the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan under which GU has adopted 5 villages, the Governor urged the University to undertake more such projects that will reach out to the grass root level of villages and make a difference in the lives of people.
On the occasion, Governor released book ‘Varsal’, a collection of stories in Konkani written by Associate Professor of Konkani, Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature, Dr Prakash Parienkar’s. He said stories in this book offer students, research scholars and avid readers of Konkani literature an opportunity to explore new critical perspectives which have not been discovered till now. In this context of language, Governor also said that he was happy to know that Goa University is making a lot of efforts to set up a Centre for Studies in Konkani in Cochin which will be beneficial to Konkani speaking population in Southern states of Kerala and Karnataka.
Also, present on occasion were ViceChancellor, Prof Harilal Menon, Registrar Prof V.S. Nadkarni and noted Konkani writer and Jnanpith awardee (India’s highest literary honour), Shri Damodar Mauzo.
Earlier, Shri Mauzo while highlighting the features of the book said that
‘Varsal’ is a documentation of rural life in Goa and the cultural transformation occurring in rural Goa.