Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship for the Government of India, officially announced the SWAYAM Plus platform on Tuesday, ushering in a new era of employability and professional development programmes. This initiative results from cooperation among prominent industry players such as L&T, Microsoft, and Cisco.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras, a prestigious institution with a proven track record, will be at the helm of the SWAYAM Plus platform. The platform’s mission is to create a digital environment that fosters upskilling and reskilling through mentorship, scholarships, and career opportunities. IIT Madras was a founding member of Swayam-NPTEL, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform that has opened the doors of education to countless students. By the end of 2023, SWAYAM, the largest e-learning platform, is projected to have over 72 lakh students enrolled, a significant increase from 31 lakh in 2017.
Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the significance of SWAYAM Plus, adding that the platform provides “employability, entrepreneurial mode, and job-centric courses, emphasizing practical, hands-on learning.” He stated, “Our goal is to make education industry-fit, providing learners with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed professionally.”
SWAYAM Plus is not just another online learning platform; it is a tool that aligns perfectly with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 objectives. The policy advocates for multiple entry and exit points and encourages individuals to chart their educational journey at a pace that suits them. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for professionals who can choose from various online courses, enabling them to strike the right balance between work and education.
During the launch event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the growing demand for a trained workforce in core sectors such as healthcare, logistics, technology, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
At the launch event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, stated, “With rapid changes in these areas, there is a need to augment certain recent topics for fresh students and upskilling for the already employed. Swayam Plus will be a single window solution serving the above National cause”.
SWAYAM Plus is designed with the user in mind, offering a range of features that cater to diverse needs. It provides bilingual material, promoting inclusivity and appealing to a broad audience. An AI-enabled chatbot is on hand to assist students in selecting courses that align with their specific needs. Moreover, the platform offers credit recognition by establishing credit equivalency for courses provided by industry participants. This unique feature allows students to earn credits towards their degree requirements, offering academic flexibility and practical benefits.
