Union Minister launches 'Swayam Plus' platform operated by IIT Madras
The unveiling of the 'SWAYAM Plus' platform by Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi marks a significant initiative. This platform introduces courses jointly crafted with industry leaders like L&T, Microsoft, and CISCO, aimed at enhancing employability and fostering professional development. According to a statement from IIT-Madras, these programs aim to provide learners with valuable insights and skills through collaborative efforts with industry experts.
Operating the 'SWAYAM Plus' Platform will be the responsibility of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). As one of the founding institutions of Swayam-NPTEL, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, IIT Madras has played a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities to a wide audience. SWAYAM, recognized as a popular e-learning platform, currently boasts the largest enrollment base, surpassing 31 lakh in 2017 and exceeding 72 lakh by the conclusion of 2023.
The introduction of SWAYAM Plus is poised to elevate the employability prospects of both university students and lifelong learners. This collaboration between industry and academia will merge the academic depth of SWAYAM's educational platform with the practical expertise and contemporary relevance provided by industry collaborators. SWAYAM Plus will feature programs across various sectors including Manufacturing, Energy, Computer Science and Engineering/IT/ITES, Management Studies, Healthcare, Hospitality and Tourism, as well as Indian Knowledge Systems, among numerous others.
Launching the ‘SWAYAM Plus’ portal, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The National Education Policy (NEP) is on roll and for the first time, reputed industrial houses will be coming with their own academy, partnering with the UGC, esteemed education departments, and prestigious institutes like IIT Madras. All these courses will be accredited". Elaborating he said, “SWAYAM Plus offers employability, entrepreneurial mode, and job-centric courses, emphasizing practical, hands-on learning. Our goal is to make education industry-fit, providing learners with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the professional world".
“Higher education is no longer limited to the traditional student. It is now accessible to the working population as well. The NEP 2020’s provision for multiple entry and exit points allows individuals to pursue education at their own pace. This concept is embodied in SWAYAM Plus, a vehicle that enables working professionals to balance their work and studies by offering a plethora of online courses. With SWAYAM Plus, we are empowering individuals to upskill and reskill, enhancing their career prospects and contributing to India’s knowledge economy”, he added.
Reskilling and upskilling initiatives are crucial in bridging skill gaps, securing employability, and promoting continuous learning. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to cultivate a workforce equipped to tackle the demands of contemporary society and excel across various industries. This is achieved through cooperative endeavors involving academia, industry, and government, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.
Speaking during the launch event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “There is an exponentially growing demand for trained manpower in core areas spanning across not restricted to health care, logistics, technology, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing. 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".
