Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Ansys, a leader in engineering simulation software has announced a tieup for supporting new courses in emergent fields to  build industry-relevant skills for NPTEL learners.

The program would be implemented through National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), a joint initiative of the IITs and IISc, Bengaluru.

So far, more than 1.4 lakh students have been supported through NPTEL exam fee waiver support.

The fee is cut down to 50 percent with this fee waiver support. 

The program will focus on emerging technologies such as Electrification, 5G, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Healthcare, among others.

Ansys will also make available its speakers for the Tech Talk lecture series conducted by NPTEL.

They will be able to leverage Ansys simulation for the same. Ansys will additionally support NPTEL in a hands-on workshop on fundamental engineering simulations.

Ansys' CSR funding will enable a certification fee waiver to hundreds of students from underprivileged backgrounds and particularly women candidates.

This can increase the employability of students undertaking these certifications.

Prof. Ramkrishna Pasumarthy, NPTEL Coordinator, IIT Madras, said, “NPTEL is the world’s largest online repository of courses in engineering, basic sciences, selected humanities and management subjects".

The much sought-after courses will improve employability, he added. "This partnership with Ansys will further expose our learners to emerging technology areas.”

NPTEL currently works closely with more than 5,000 colleges across India in various disciplines including engineering, arts, commerce, science and management.

Many students and faculty take these certification examinations to improve their employability and upskill themselves with the latest skills in their area.

Mr. Rafiq Somani, Area Vice President - India and South Asia Pacific, Ansys, said, “Breakthroughs like autonomous vehicles, 5G, cloud computing, the Industrial Internet of Things, and electrification are poised to transform our world".

Simulation is the best way to support and gain a strong understanding of these technology trends.

The joint Tech Talk series by NPTEL and Ansys will help students learn current and ever-evolving technological themes of Electrification, 5G, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Healthcare.

Furthermore, the selectively tailored courses, certification fee waiver and dedicated workshops will equip more students with advanced engineering simulation knowledge and help them become industry-ready to support the Skill India Mission.”

More than 2.31 crore learners have joined NPTEL courses to date and NPTEL videos have received more than 1.6 billion views.

The process of identifying the students is through the network of Local Chapters or the colleges with whom NPTEL partners.

The Principals of the Local Chapters in Tier2 and Tier3 towns do the verification on their side and attest to the student's requirements.