The Department of Economics & Banking in collaboration with the FY Certificate Course Committee organized a 30-hour Certificate Course ‘SkillStir’ for the First Year students of the College. The course commenced on 29th August 2023 and concluded on 15th September 2023. The course comprised five types of artistic and culinary skills imparted to the students, viz., crochet-making/knitting, thermocol decoration, decoupage, flower-making, cooking, and baking essentials. Experts in each of the skills were invited to teach and deliver sessions and share their expertise with the students.
- Crochet-making/Knitting – 29th August to 02nd September 2023:
The Resource Person for the crochet-making/knitting skill was Ms. Linette Gomes, a young entrepreneur who owns a start-up called ‘Crochet to Cuddles’. She is an expert in the area of crochet and knitting. Ms. Gomes enriched the students with techniques on various kinds of stitches which can be used to knit different patterns, forming table pieces, bedspreads, outfits, stuffed toys, etc. Students were given daily tasks to be done at home and brought the next day which was assessed by Ms. Gomes.
- Thermocol Decoration – 29th August to 02nd September 2023:
The art of thermocol decoration was skillfully and meticulously taught by Mrs. Maria Lourdes Barreto. Students were taught the basic, essential skills of holding, cutting, carving, and smoothening of thermocol, necessary for the best outcome of the decor. Mrs. Barreto assigned the students a task based on the skills imparted during the sessions.
- Cooking and Baking essentials – 04th, 6th to 09th September 2023:
Mrs. Maria Lourdes Barreto was the Resource Person for the skill in cooking and baking essentials. Mrs. Barreto has a degree in Home Science, with an extremely deep passion for cooking and baking. During her sessions, she imparted skills in the preparation of various dishes and baked items. Her sessions were extremely engaging as they aroused the culinary and gastronomical skills and senses of all students present. Mrs. Barreto provided students with Google links on a daily basis, as a task to be completed, based on which each student was assessed.
- Decoupage – 11h to 12th September 2023:
Mrs. Jemina D’Costa, a veteran in the field of decoupage beautifully imparted her skill of decoupage – the art of decorating any object, usually bottles, plates, boxes, etc., by embossing decorative decoupage tissues in combination with special paint effects and decorative elements. She also shared her knowledge of marketing and profits earned on such items.
- Flower-making – 13h to 15th September 2023:
Mrs. Annet Gomes, the Resource Person for the skill of flower-making, creatively delivered her sessions by teaching the students several types of flowers with different materials like crepe, stockings, ribbon, etc. Students were given daily tasks to be completed and submitted to the Resource Person the following day. Students imbibed the skill of flower-making which is a lucrative avenue for business in today’s times
The 30-hour skill-intensive course ‘SkillStir’ culminated on the 15th of September 2023 with participating students receiving concentrated skills with hands-on knowledge of the skills imparted. 49 students successfully completed the course.
The course was designed and coordinated by Ms. Lizette D’Costa, FY Certificate Course Committee In-charge.
