SmartBridge, a Veranda Learning firm, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SWAYAM PLUS, an esteemed initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. This strategic partnership marks a transformative moment for SmartBridge, demonstrating the company’s dedication to bridging the gap between academic learning and the dynamic demands of the industry.
Under this collaboration, SmartBridge will offer a diverse range of courses, including Artificial Intelligence, Applied Data Science, Backend Development (Java Spring Boot), Cyber Security Analyst, Android Application Development (with Kotlin), and Android Application Development (with Flutter). Out of the nine courses offered on Swayam Plus, six fall under SmartBridge’s umbrella. All courses are aligned with the National Credit Framework (NCRF) levels 5 and 5.5, providing students with project-based learning opportunities and making them credit-eligible.
The SWAYAM Plus platform, operated by IIT Madras, will offer programmes in crucial sectors such as energy, manufacturing, computer science and engineering, IT or ITES, management studies, and healthcare. It is user-friendly and has a variety of features to meet a wide range of requirements. It offers bilingual content, which promotes inclusivity and appeals to a broad audience. An AI-enabled chatbot is available to assist students in selecting courses that meet their individual needs.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, expressed his enthusiasm for the alliance, saying:
The National Education Policy (NEP) is on a roll and for the first time, reputed industrial houses will be coming with their academy, partnering with the UGC, esteemed education departments, and prestigious institutes like IIT Madras. All these courses will be accredited.
The SWAYAM Plus platform’s noteworthy features include multilingual content, an AI-enabled chatbot to assist students and credit recognition. IIT Madras will operate the SWAYAM Plus platform, drawing on its significant experience as the founding institution of Swayam-NPTEL and the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform.
SmartBridge is developing a future-ready workforce pool competent at emerging market dynamics and in-demand technology. Through “project-based learning” in partnership with global tech leaders, the platform fosters a collaborative bridge between industry and academia, preparing students for the job market. The SmartInternz platform enables students to engage in virtual internships with top-tier companies at the forefront of groundbreaking technologies.
Amarender Katkam, CEO of SmartBridge, stated:
Our courses on the SWAYAM PLUS platform are meticulously designed to align with the most pressing industry needs. Emphasizing project-based learning, these courses offer practical experience and are tailored to specific roles, ensuring they meet the industry’s requirements and are eligible for credits.
Veranda Learning Solutions, founded in 2018 by the Kalpathi AGS Group, is a publicly listed education company that provides a wide range of training courses for competitive exams such as State Public Service Commission, Banking, Insurance, Railways, IAS, and CA, as well as a slew of professional skilling and upskilling programmes. The platform integrates technology, processes, and methodologies to deliver high-quality, in-depth, personalized learning opportunities and content to students nationwide. The company offers services under several brands, including SmartBridge, Veranda RACE, Veranda IAS, Edureka, Six Phrase, Veranda HigherEd, Edureka Learning Centre, BAssure Solutions, Talent Academy and Publications, Sreedhar’s CCE, Educare Infra, and PHIRE.
