PANAJI: The new state-of-the-art premises of S S Dempo College of Commerce and Economics at the integrated educational complex, Cujira was inaugurated at the hands of Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar in presence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, St Cruz MLA Antonio ‘Tony’ Fernandes and Vice Chancellor of Goa University Varun Sahni.
“The complex that has been created, can be called as Vidyanagari, the educational town,” said Javadekar while praising Parrikar for his vision to create the educational hub at Cujira.
Stating that S S Dempo College of Commerce and Economics is the first college of Goa after Liberation, Javadekar said, “During those days the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was not introduced wherein one had to spend two per cent of the earnings on social work. This shows that the Dempo family had inspiration and interest to contribute to the society, and this is how the community supported education through all ages.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that Goa spends 3.8 per cent of its GDP on education, and projected that it would turn to 6 per cent in next five years.
“Government intends to spend Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crore on the Cujira education complex,” said Parrikar.
“It’s a half-century-old institution with wonderful facilities within ‘A Grade’ with Goa University backing it fully; I think this college should go for an autonomous status, its next step, creating opportunity for innovation and rejuvenating the academics. I think once you are awarded with ‘A + Grade,’ autonomy will be your next milestone,” said Goa University Vice Chancellor Varun Sahni.
Speaking on the occasion, the chaiman of Dempo Charities Trust Shrinivas Dempo said, “The college has been making non-stop progress since its inception in such a manner that one shall find across Goa and beyond, thousands of its products in the form of leading enterprise makers, lawyers, professional accountants, teachers, and business executives, all in the position of the authority.”
The state-of-the-art college has 61 lecture halls, one research centre, library with E-browsing section, and one reading room with 150 seating capacity.
It also has four computer laboratories, an audio-visual room, auditorium, gymnasium, and food court with 150 seating capacity.
The entire premises is disabled-friendly and under the CCTV surveillance. It also has elevators including those for the lecture halls.
The trustees of the DCT Pallavi Dempo and Yatish Dempo, the administrator of the Trust, Sunil Prabhudesai and the college principal Radhika Naik were also present at the inaugural function.