St. Xavier’s College Celebrates International Microorganisms Day
The Department of Microbiology, St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa in collaboration with the Microbiologists Society India (MBSI) organised an all Goa Inter School Microbiology Event ‘Animalcules 2023’ to commemorate International Microorganism Day which is celebrated on 17th September every year. The event that was organized under DBT Star College Scheme received a tremendous response with 33 teams from across the state participating.
At the Inaugural Programme, the Administrator, Fr. Antonio Salema and the Principal, Prof. Blanche Mascarenhas addressed the gathering. Ms. Ursula Barreto, in her address mentioned that the event was organized as part of the Ruby Jubilee celebrations of the Department and highlighted the objectives of hosting the program. Dr. Valerie Gonsalves, the event coordinator proposed the vote of thanks.
Microbes are ubiquitous and so microbiology is important in every sphere of life. To showcase this, the students of the third-year microbiology presented a skit “What would the world be without Microbiology?”.
There were 4 competitions organized – Spelling Bee, Quiz, Poster and Elocution. The objective was to generate awareness and scientific interest on the topic and to showcase their talent through healthy competition.
The winner of the Spelling Bee was Ms. Kelly Lobo of St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim, second place was bagged by Ms. Yadnya Mahalkar of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa and third place by Ms. R. Shamicsha of Green Meadows School, Nagoa.
In the Quiz, the first place was bagged by Ms. Kurt Dias and Ms. Julian Vieira of St. Britto’s High School, Mapusa, second was Mast. Dhananjay Kudnekar and Ms. Diya Salgaonkar of Holy Cross High School, Bastora, Bardez and third place was Ms. Suhani Gaunder and Ms. Rajashree Malik of St. Elizabeth High School, Pomburpa, Bardez.
For the Poster, the first place was bagged by Ms. Aafiya Alam of Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School, Pilerne, second place by was Ms. Ahillya Bhingude of The Rosary High School, Cujira and third place was by Mast. Rajvi Shetye of St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim.
In the elocution competition, the first place was won by Ms. Aalia Botelho of Green Meadows School, Nagoa, the second place by Mast. Aryan D’Souza of St. Britto’s High School, Mapusa and third by was Ms. Cynia Fernandes of St. Mary’s Convent High School, Mapusa.
The overall winners of Animalcules 2023 were Green Meadows School, Nagoa, St. Britto’s High School, Mapusa in second placed and St. Francis Xaviers High School, Siolimin third place.
The students of microbiology made an attempt to unravel the beauty of the world of microbes through a fashion show titled ‘MicroGala – when microbes meet the fashion world’. The fascinating world of Microbes was displayed through a fashion show. On display were a number of models of cells types and an exhibition of microbes viz viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae as seen on petri plates and under the microscope.
The competitions together with performances put up by the college students provided the participants an enjoyable experience of activity-based learning.
