Parikrama Knowledge Terminus is organising its fifth Academic Forum on January 6 and 7, hosting students, educators, and professionals to explore career guidance and awareness
RAMANDEEP KAUR| NT
Parikrama Knowledge Terminus was formally established in 2017 by a group of young professionals from academia, industry, media and other fields, to create quality educational resources
“We identified the need to develop focused programmes that would aid the professional growth of youth and generate knowledge through participation. The creation of knowledge cannot be restricted to the formal educational ecosystem. Knowledge creation and development of art needs to be participatory as well as interventionist. Parikrama has provided new expressions for the youth for the past seven years,” says president of Parikrama Knowledge Terminus and assistant professor, Goa University, Yugank Naik.
Considering its serious outlook, Yugank says they were unsure about how Parikrama would be received. “It was the only multi-disciplinary and multi-faceted initiative in Goa that engaged the masses in knowledge creation. However, participants have carried out Parikrama’s promise vigorously. From Pernem to Canacona, Parikrama has generated immense interest in developing art, literature and intellectualism. Our programmes have remained uninterrupted even during COVID-19, which is a testimony to the fact that Parikrama has become a part of youth culture,” says Yugank, adding that its ‘Artiste Collective’ was chosen to perform as the opening act before the Prime Minister at the Opening Ceremony of the 37th National Games held in Goa.
The first Academic Forum by Parikrama was organised in 2018 at PES Shri. Ravi Sitaram Naik College of Arts & Science, Farmagudi. “The advent of globalisation and change in the economy has expanded horizons but also created fierce competition. Academic Forum is an attempt to decode the emerging changes. It attempts to sensitise the students to prepare their career paths and recognise their aptitudes,” he says.
The fifth edition of the Academic Forum will be held on January 6 and 7, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, Ponda.
The first day will be for higher secondary students and educators, focusing on the theme ‘Careers at Crossroads’. Invitations have been extended to all higher secondaries in Goa to nominate two student delegates and one supervising teacher.
The day will begin with a keynote address by Ashutosh Teli Pednekar, a Goan serving in the Indian Administrative Services posted in Jaipur. A Grade One teacher from PES Shri Ravi Sitaram Naik Higher Secondary, Francisco Cardoz, will lead an ice-breaking session, followed by a panel discussion on ‘Aptitude & Challenges’. The panel includes professor from Goa University Rahul Tripathi, assistant professor of VM Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, Meghna Kapdi, assistant director of the Directorate of Higher Education Bhakti Naik, director of the Directorate of Higher Education and chief officer of Ponda Municipal Council Shubham Naik. The session will be chaired by principal of Kala Academy Theatre Art College, Rajay Pawar.
The ‘Zerologues’ session will feature five young achievers sharing their journeys. These include gold medalist windsurfer Katya Coelho (sports career), CEO Wakao Foods Sairaj Dhond (entrepreneurship), archivist Balaji Shenoy (careers in archives), brand growth head of Better India Tanvi Raut Dessai (digital journalism), and founder of Asier Sunaya Shirodkar (robotics). “One of the strengths of Parikrama is its collectivism. Young people craft it for young people. So, we feature young achievers who tell their journey and struggle to the students,” says Yugank.
The valedictory address will be delivered by the principal of Ameya Higher Secondary School Shubhash Jan. The programme is organised in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture, the Office of Commissioner of Labour & Employment, and the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir.
Day 2 of the Academic Forum is targeted at colleges and general institutions and will focus on orientation sessions for the Parikrama 0.6 competitions. The speakers will include Uday Chari (radio jockey), Suraj Pinge (folk researcher), Kaustubh Naik (writer and researcher), Kalanand Bambolkar (artist and teacher), Shubham Khandeparkar (model and artist), Yugank Naik (assistant professor, Goa University), Suvidha Naik (Bharatnatyam exponent), and Rohit Khandekar (actor).
So far, the response to the forum has been very encouraging. There have been registrations from 25 higher secondaries, and around 40 from educational and general institutions.
And this year, says Yugank, they have focused on publications of literature that have been generated all these years.
“We are publishing our magazine on the issue of ‘Climate Change’. We plan to publish a focused research journal and create value for the contributions. Every activity of Parikrama is documented,” he says. Apart from this, Parikrama will also be organising the Zero Fest on January 20 and 21 at Khandola, Marcel.
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Anisha’s Nurture Nest will be organising a 10-day summer camp on important life skills for children aged seven to 13 years, from April 20 to May 1 (excluding weekends) at Samarth Krupa Hall, Margao. Details: 9225570471.
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