Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) successfully hosted the much-anticipated ‘NPTEL Stars Event’, a celebration recognising the exceptional achievements of learners through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) platform.

The Stars Event witnessed the participation of over 800 NPTEL Stars - learners who successfully completed and got certified in more than three NPTEL courses in the previous semesters.

The NPTEL Stars event, held at IIT Madras campus on Sunday (9^th Feb 2025), recognisedthe achievements of students who have demonstrated excellence in various online NPTEL courses. Thecoursescover a wide range of technical, non-technical, and interdisciplinary topics. They aim to make IIT-quality education accessible to learners across the country.

Shri Samrat Bandopadhyay, a NPTEL's inaugural "MEGA STAR" Awardee felicitated in IIT Madras, Also seen, Prof Dr Kamakothi, Director IIT Madras.

The NPTEL initiative, a collaborative effort by IITs and IISc, offers a wide variety of online courses across technical, non-technical, and interdisciplinary domains, enabling learners from diverse backgrounds to upskill and enhance their knowledge.

During July to December 2024 semester, 733 courses were offered on NPTEL and over 29 lakh students enrolled for the courses. Of these 9.2 lakh students registered and took exams, making it one of the largest MOOC initiatives across the world.

The event was presided over by Prof V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, in the presence of Prof Andrew Thangaraj, Chair, Center for Outreach and Digital Education (CODE), IIT Madras, Prof.Vignesh Muthuvijayan, Associate Chair, CODE, IIT Madras, other faculty, students and learners.

Addressing the ‘NPTEL Stars’, Prof V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “SWAYAM-NPTEL has been a cornerstone of the Ministry of Education’s mission to make quality education accessible to all and IIT Madras takes the pride of being the coordinating institute. The dedication of learners recognized today is a testament to the transformative potential of online education. We are proud to celebrate their achievements.”

The event also featured insightful speeches from professors who taught various NPTEL courses, as well as inspiring stories from learners about their journeys. The NPTEL Stars were awarded certificates, recognizing their achievement in completing multiple courses with excellence.

Emphasising the importance of technology in learning, Prof Andrew Thangaraj, Chair, CODE, IIT Madras, said, “Digital education platforms like NPTEL are paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible learning environment. Today’s event reaffirms our belief that innovation and education go hand in hand in empowering learners to achieve their fullest potential.”

Event Highlights

• Over 800 NPTEL Stars were felicitated for their outstanding commitment to learning and their accomplishments in various courses.
• Inspiring speeches by distinguished dignitaries on the transformative impact of online education
• An engaging interactive session with course faculty for the learners.
• A special workshop tailored for the learners.
• Insights into the evolving role of technology in education shared by the Chair and Associate Chair of IIT Madras' CODE.

Mr. SadiyaMahee, an NPTEL Star and a student from Osmania University, said,“I had the opportunity to take part in these amazing online courses conducted by NPTEL. The best part about my academic experience is the beautiful combination of theoretical and practical knowledge that I have gained. I am so proud!”

NPTEL courses are not just taken by students. Faculty members of various colleges/universities also take these courses as part of their Faculty Development Program.

Prof. Ashok Kumar (64 years old), participating in the event, proudly said,“I have been recognised as an NPTEL Star for completing multiple courses in a single calendar year and a topper in one of them. My motivation to take up NPTEL courses stems from the desire to stay updated with industry trends and to develop new skills. NPTEL has been an incredible platform offering structured high-quality content that is both accessible and impactful, particularly for the faculty.”

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