CONVERGE 3.0 – Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Goa

The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Goa, through its Centralized Training Internship Placement (TIP) Cell, organized the third edition of its flagship event CONVERGE 3.0, themed “Innovate, Integrate, Impact: Building Goa’s Future-Ready
Changemakers.” The grand finale of this prestigious event was held on 24th February 2026. As part of this initiative, the Young Entrepreneur 2026 Award was presented to recognize and encourage student entrepreneurs who have successfully ventured into business while pursuing their academic studies. The award aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and self-reliance among students.

We are proud to announce that Ms. Gretchen Fernandes, a Second Year B.Sc. Microbiology (SYBSc Microbiology) student of our college, was honored with the Young Entrepreneur Award 2026 at the Grand Finale of CONVERGE 3.0.

Ms. Gretchen is the founder of her business venture “Scrumptious”, a growing entrepreneurial initiative specializing in fermented foods and artisanal delicacies. Through her venture, she takes pre-orders for a variety of traditionally fermented and health-focused
products such as:

• Sauerkraut (white and purple cabbage)
• Pineapple Kombucha
• Kvass
• Ginger Wine
• Various homemade wines and Kombucha

In addition to fermented beverages and probiotic-rich foods, she also offers a delightful range of sweet treats and baked delights, catering to a diverse customer base.

Her enterprise reflects scientific understanding, creativity, and innovation—particularly in the field of fermentation, which aligns closely with her academic background in Microbiology. By combining technical knowledge with entrepreneurial vision, she has demonstrated how scientific learning can be translated into sustainable business opportunities.

Her achievement brings immense pride to the Department of Microbiology and the institution as a whole. She has also been an active member of the fermentation kitchen activity of the department of microbiology wherein she has conducted sessions for students on the art of preparing sourdough and other fermented foods. It stands as an inspiration to fellow students to pursue innovation, apply scientific principles in real-world contexts, and develop entrepreneurial competencies alongside academic excellence.

The Faculty and students of the Department of microbiology congratulates Ms. Gretchen Fernandes on her remarkable accomplishment and wishes her continued success in her entrepreneurial journey.