The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) has unveiled a collaboration with SmartBridge, under the Veranda Learning umbrella, to launch nine cutting-edge courses on SWAYAM Plus. This initiative is part of a broader effort supported by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to diversify and enrich student learning opportunities nationwide.
The courses IIT Madras introduced span various pivotal and emerging fields, including Artificial Intelligence, Applied Data Science, Backend Development (Java Spring Boot), Cyber Security Analyst, and Android Application Development using both Kotlin and Flutter. These programs have been meticulously designed to align with the National Credit Framework (NCRF) levels 5 and 5.5, thereby ensuring that students gain from project-based learning experiences and earn credits that contribute to their academic progress.
SWAYAM Plus, the platform chosen for this venture, is managed by IIT Madras and is set to host programs across several critical sectors, such as energy, manufacturing, computer science and engineering, IT or ITES, management studies, and healthcare. This diverse offering is aimed at meeting the evolving needs of the industry and preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Dharmesh Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, remarked, “The National Education Policy (NEP) is on a roll, marking a historic moment where reputed industrial entities join forces with the UGC, top education departments, and premier institutes like IIT Madras. This partnership ensures that all the courses provided will be accredited, further enhancing their value and recognition across the educational and professional spectrum.”
This initiative by IIT Madras and SmartBridge is a landmark step in implementing the NEP’s vision, offering students nationwide access to high-quality, accredited courses that bridge the gap between academia and industry.