Proposed fisheries science college likely to begin classes from Aug

Panaji: The proposed Goa College of Fisheries Science is expected to begin admissions this year, with the first academic session likely to commence in Aug.Nodal officer for the college, Rishikesh Pawar, said that the proposed intake for the inaugural batch is likely to be either 20 or 40 seats, depending on approvals received during the affiliation formalities with Goa University.“Once the affiliation is completed, the admission process will begin. We will be starting this academic year 2026-27,” he said.The college, which will function under a govt-run society under the agriculture department, is being launched on the same administrative pattern as the Goa College of Agriculture, which has already started functioning under the same setup.Dr. Suresh Kunkalikar, dean of Goa College of Agriculture, is most likely to be associated with Goa College of Fisheries as well.The fisheries college will initially operate from a renovated fisheries training centre facility at Ela, Old Goa, near the Alla Dawji farm area.The existing premises are being modified to meet the infrastructure requirements of a full-fledged degree-granting institution.A permanent campus is also planned near the existing farm premises in Old Goa, though officials said timelines for construction are yet to be finalised.

“The farms spread over around 10 hectares will be used for practical training, demonstrations and student learning activities,” Pawar said.The college will initially function under Goa University affiliation norms. Accreditation from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) can only be sought after the first batch reaches the final year, as the proposed fisheries programme is a four-year degree course.“We will be eligible to apply for ICAR accreditation only after four years,” Pawar said.“The syllabus is standardised at the national level and the same curriculum is followed across India for fisheries education. We have to follow ICAR norms because accreditation later will depend on compliance with those standards,” he added.