Micro Conversations: Exploring Choices and Crafting Futures
As part of the Ruby Jubilee celebrations, the Department of Microbiology of St. Xavier’s College, organized a panel discussion titled ‘Micro Conversations: Exploring Choices and Crafting Futures’ on 9th September 2023. The objective was to acquaint the participants with career options in microbiology through life experiences shared by professionals in the field. The panelists, all alumni of the Department of Microbiology of the College, comprised of Dr. Dilecta D’Costa (Associate Professor, Government College Khandola), Dr. Lakshangy Charya (Coordinator Department of Microbiology, Goa University), Ms. Nina Figueiredo (Nutritionist), Ms. Cristabelle Lobo (Teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Valpoi), Mr. Adarsh Shettigar (Scientific Assistant, Goa Forensic Department), Ms. Natasha Barnes (Research Assistant, NIO, Dona Paula) and Ms. Ana Pereira (Medical Lab Technologist, Panaji).
The event started off with an invocation seeking blessings of the almighty. Rev. Dr. Ramiro Luis welcomed the gathering on behalf of the management of the college. The Head of the Department and Vice Principal Ms Ursula Barreto spoke about the Ruby Jubilee celebration of the Department and recalled the valuable contribution made by the former principals and teachers. She attributed the success of the department to their foresight, dedication and hardwork along with the students and alumni of the department. She also gave a brief overview of the program. The Chief Guest Dr. Dilecta D’Costa in her address congratulated the department on achieving this milestone and encouraged the students to continue to aim high and do their best.
The panel discussion took off with the moderators Ms. Ruella D’Souza and Mr. Siddhesh Menon, both faculty members of the Department, introducing the panelists and inviting them to speak about their journey from St. Xavier’s College to their present position. Each of the Speakers shared their success stories which captured the attention of the audience. The participants were exposed to first hand information with respect to various jobs in different areas of microbiology and its allied fields as research guides, college & university professors, high school teachers, nutritionists, forensic scientists, researchers and laboratory technicians.
The session was surely inspiring and the participants interest was evident through the many questions they posed to the members of the panel which were ably answered. A total of 151 students of TY, SY and FY benefitted from the program.
