Panaji: Goa’s first veterinary college in Ponda will begin academic activities on Nov 16, with its inaugural batch of 40 students starting classes even as the formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains uncertain.The college had initially planned to align the start of academic activities with Prime Minister’s visit. Chief minister Pramod Sawant had sent a note to the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services stating that Modi would inaugurate the newly established institution.Modi was expected to visit Goa on Oct 27 for two programmes — inaugurating the existing college building and laying the foundation stone for a new block. However, the proposed visit did not materialise, and the college authorities are yet to receive official communication from Centre on a revised date.The college has now decided not to delay the academic calendar any further.“Academic activities for the inaugural batch of 40 students will commence on Nov 16, without waiting for the formal inauguration. The orientation programme is scheduled for Monday. Classes will commence as scheduled, while the infrastructure will be formally inaugurated at a later date,” said dean Rajkumar Solomon.He said most of the infrastructure was ready, with only some work, including landscaping, construction of the compound wall and beautification, remaining. Around 70 to 80 faculty members and other personnel have also joined the institution.Arrangements have been made to accommodate the first batch at Goa Engineering College (GEC), which has provided blocks for students until the veterinary college’s own hostel facilities become operational.“Located approximately 3km from the college, the temporary accommodation will be connected through a dedicated bus service to transport students daily,” Solomon said.As reported earlier by TOI, all 40 students in the inaugural batch are from Goa, of whom 23 are girls.Separately, the directorate of higher education has announced online admissions to the Goa College of Fisheries Science for the academic year 2026-27. The application process will remain open until Nov 22, and interested candidates can apply through the Samarth e-Gov portal.
