NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) serves as the official SWAYAM national coordinator for the engineering section, a significant initiative by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. Launched in 2003, this project was pioneered by seven prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Guwahati, and Roorkee) along with the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Its primary objective was to democratize education by providing high-quality learning resources from these esteemed institutions to anyone keen on learning from the IITs. NPTEL, in collaboration with SWAYAM, actively contributes to the global phenomenon of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), transcending geographical boundaries to offer high-quality educational resources to a global audience.

The core mission of NPTEL was to create comprehensive web and video courses spanning major branches of engineering, physical sciences at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and management courses at the postgraduate level. These courses, now hosted on SWAYAM-NPTEL, are multifaceted, encompassing video lectures, meticulously prepared reading materials, self-assessment tests including quizzes, and an interactive online discussion forum tailored to clarify doubts. To enhance the learning experience, cutting-edge pedagogy, multimedia, and state-of-the-art technology are incorporated into the course structure.

 

One of the remarkable aspects of SWAYAM-NPTEL is its accessibility. Courses are offered free of charge, allowing learners to delve into a wealth of knowledge without financial constraints. However, for learners seeking formal recognition, a SWAYAM certificate can be obtained by registering for the final proctored exams, available at a nominal fee of Rs. 1000 per course. To earn the certificate, learners must meet the eligibility criteria outlined on the course page. The official online platform for NPTEL can be accessed through the web address http://nptel.ac.in.

 

Furthermore, NPTEL has taken proactive steps to promote online education at the grassroots level. It has established SWAYAM-NPTEL Local Chapters within colleges, aiming to encourage greater student participation in these online courses. Each chapter is led by a dedicated faculty member designated as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC). Notably, SREE NARAYANA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, KOLLAM, has been established as a SWAYAM-NPTEL Local Chapter, with Aswathy B R, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, serving as the nominated SPOC. This endeavour signifies a significant step towards democratizing education and empowering learners with high-quality, accessible learning opportunities. For additional information, kindly explore the following link:

https://nptel.ac.in/LocalChapter/statistics/4124/