Empowering Education: University of Hyderabad hosts UGC SWAYAM Workshop

 

On 1st February, 2025, University of Hyderabad organised a one-day SWAYAM Outreach Workshop on “Integration and Implementation of SWAYAM Courses in Universities and their Affiliated Colleges” for the states and union territories of “Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andaman & Nicobar”.

 

The inauguration session, held at the Savitribai Phule Auditorium, witnessed esteemed dignitaries addressing the gathering. The workshop commenced with a warm welcome address by Prof. Vaibhav Vindal, Nodal Officer, SWAYAM Outreach Workshop, who emphasized the significance of online teaching in revolutionizing education. “It’s a pleasure to have everyone here, taking out their precious time to discuss the future of education,” he said.

Prof. B.J. Rao, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the crucial role of educators in shaping the country’s future. “You hold the reins of the country in your hands,” he told the gathering. “The only learning that stays is active learning, and SWAYAM promotes that.”

 

Prof. Rao also highlighted the importance of universities contributing to the country’s growth. “Until universities contribute, India won’t prosper,” he stressed. “We need to maintain a healthy ratio between technical and classical subjects.”

Prof. P. Uma Maheswari Devi, Vice-Chairperson, Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, discussed the state’s initiatives in following UGC guidelines and implementing SWAYAM courses. “We’re looking forward to learning how to implement SWAYAM and SWAYAM Plus courses effectively,” she said.

Dr. Diksha Rajput, Joint Secretary, UGC, emphasized the significance of the outreach program in promoting SWAYAM courses and addressing issues faced by students. “Your presence here is a testimony to your commitment to promoting SWAYAM,” she said.

Shri Rohit Tripathi, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, in a virtual presentation highlighted SWAYAM’s coverage of subjects beyond science and technology, enabling students to learn freely and interactively. “We’ve seen a 40% increase in total enrollment, and 61% increase in enrollment since 2020,” he revealed.

During the first session of the SWAYAM Outreach Workshop, Dr. Diksha Rajput, Joint Secretary, UGC, highlighted the initiatives taken by the UGC to address the questions, suggestions, and issues raised by stakeholders. She emphasized the flexibility offered by SWAYAM, allowing institutions to choose courses based on their students’ requirements. “Up to 40% credits can be availed by a student in one semester,” she noted. Dr. Rajput also provided an overview of the SWAYAM Advisory Committee, student registration process, mentorship, and course examination process, as well as credit transfer mechanisms.

 

Prof. R. Sarathi, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, presented on SWAYAM Plus, highlighting the diversity of courses offered on the platform. “No course on SWAYAM is limited to one particular field,” he said. Prof. Sarathi emphasized the importance of data-related courses, including data curation and data technology, in addition to Artificial Intelligence courses. He also noted that SWAYAM Plus is offered by the industry, with the ultimate goal of making IIT Madras accessible to all. Prof. Sarathi expressed happiness over SWAYAM’s first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh.

In the second session, Dr. Jayakrishnan M., Senior Scientist, NPTEL, IIT Madras, presented on the SWAYAM University Dashboard, addressing various issues faced by academicians from several universities. Dr. Jayakrishnan highlighted the benefits of SWAYAM for tier 2 and tier 3 colleges, which often face challenges in providing courses due to limited faculty. “The tier 2 and tier 3 colleges don’t have a sufficient number of professors to teach several courses, then SWAYAM helps the students in such places,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of external regulation when self-learning is absent, ensuring that students stay on track with their coursework.

Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Professor and Chairperson of Digital Learning at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, delivered an online presentation highlighting the institute’s contributions to the SWAYAM platform. “We have developed 95 unique courses from IIM Bangalore over the years,” she said, showcasing the institute’s commitment to providing high-quality digital content.

 

As the national coordinator, Prof. Srinivasan noted that they have curated over 400 courses to date, spanning a wide range of fields. This diverse portfolio is designed to cater to the varied needs of students and working professionals alike. Interestingly, Prof. Srinivasan revealed that 40% of their students are also working professionals, underscoring the importance of flexible and accessible learning opportunities. Prof. Srinivasan also emphasized the significance of faculty capability enhancement programs, which she believes are essential for India’s growth. By investing in faculty development, institutions can enhance the quality of education and better equip students for the challenges of the modern workforce.

The sessions concluded with a positive note, as participants expressed their sincere appreciation to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the University of Hyderabad for organizing the event. They acknowledged the immense value of the workshop, citing that it would enable them to effectively address existing challenges, better support their students, and successfully integrate SWAYAM courses into their academic frameworks. The participants left with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped with the knowledge and insights necessary to leverage SWAYAM’s resources and enhance the learning experience for their students.

The workshop culminated in a felicitation ceremony, where dignitaries and esteemed guests were formally acknowledged and honored for their contributions.

Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar, University of Hyderabad, delivered the Vote of Thanks, expressing sincere appreciation to all individuals and organizations involved in the successful organization of the workshop. He underscored the significance of the workshop, emphasizing its potential to contribute meaningfully to the realization of a Viksit Bharat, a developed and prosperous India.

The workshop provided a platform for educators and officials to discuss challenges, share experiences, and explore ways to promote SWAYAM courses. With a focus on increasing accessibility and quality, the workshop aimed to strengthen the integration of SWAYAM courses in universities and affiliated colleges.

 

• By Mahi Sharma, MA Communication (Media Studies)

Link for the photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H0Cv4S6locY-b3PE2aWTNBxDGWEgJSF_

 

Link for the workshop video: https://www.youtube.com/live/7EuryXK17f4