Swayam brings to you free online courses to catapult your career!

In the paradigm shift that has occurred in Indian education due to COVID-19, we have seen many schools, colleges and institutes resort to online classes and examinations. However, there continue to be large sects of students to whom the digital revolution continues to be an alien concept. MHRD, keeping that in mind launched SWAYAM in 2017 to give free entry to a variety of free online courses pertaining to advanced education. SWAYAM, which stands for Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds, is an initiative to bring the best teaching-learning resources to all, including the most disadvantaged. It hosts the free online courses through its online platform, taught in classrooms from class 9 up to post-graduation.

The courses are hosted in 4 quadrants:

• video lecture

• specially prepared reading material that can be downloaded/printed

• self-assessment tests through tests and quizzes

• an online discussion forum for clearing the doubts.

Online platforms are not a new introduction to our education system. But their use has seen a rise only recently because of the need for social distancing. Online courses, if planned and executed in the correct manner can prove to be very beneficial. Online courses are free of cost on the portal, however, learners who wish to procure a certificate would be taking exams that require a fee. These exams also require in-person attendance at specified centres on pre-determined dates.

Nine national co-ordinators which include IGNOU, NCERT, AICTE, NPTEL amongst others are appointed to ensure the best quality content is delivered to the students.

SWAYAM offers courses under several categories such as:

• Architecture and planning

• Education

• Engineering and Technology

• Humanities and Arts

• Law

• Management and Commerce

• Maths and Sciences

The duration of these courses also varies, from a minimum of 4 weeks to maximum, 24 weeks.

Online courses offered:

Under each category, several advanced study free online courses are offered, each following a carefully put together lesson plan by chosen faculty and teachers from all across the country. Here, we have listed some of the most in-demand courses available on SWAYAM:

Engineering and Technology:

Animation:

Organisation: BHU

Duration: 15 weeks

This course gives an opportunity to students who are looking for a career in design engineering, animation, and visual effects. They will get to explore design histories and develop technical, analytical, and creative skills in animation film production. It can prove to be essential for students majoring in Animation, Design engineering and Game technology.

Advanced Fluid Mechanics:

Organisation: IIT Kharagpur

Duration: 12 weeks

Fluid Mechanics has a wide scope and is a part of several fields of engineering and science. This course focuses on underlying fluid mechanical principles and the application of these to real-life problems. As a well-balanced course, it covers physical concepts, mathematical operations with examples of practical importance.

Advanced Machining Processes:

Organisation: IIT Guwahati

Duration: 8 weeks

This course recognizes the need for machine tools and processes in today’s world. It aims at bringing the students up-to-date with the technological developments and research trends in the field of machining processes. It is intended for UG and PG students planning to pursue the subject in the future.

Advanced Concrete Technology:

Organisation: IIT Madras

Duration: 12 weeks

This online course is for final year undergraduates and post-graduate students. It explores the understanding of concrete from a fundamental perspective. It can be beneficial in careers focusing on concrete contracting firms, cement companies, material research labs, etc.

An Introduction to Coding Theory:

Organisation: IIT Kanpur

Duration: 8 weeks

Intended for final year UG and PG students as well as faculty from electronics and communications engineering, this course discusses coding as an indispensable part of any digital communication system.

Maths and Sciences:

A basic course in number theory:

Organisation: IIT Bombay

Duration: 12 weeks

This course touches upon the basics of number theory such as prime number theorem, Gauss’ theorem, etc. It is a basic level course, intended to build a base for postgraduate level students who wish to pursue an education in the field of mathematics.

Introduction to Polymer Science:

Organisation: IIT Kharagpur

Duration: 8 weeks

This course is for chemistry, chemical engineering; material science, and polymer science and tech students. It comprises of the fundamentals of synthesis, characterization, as well as challenges pertaining to contemporary polymer research.

Biophysical Chemistry:

Organisation: IIT Delhi

Duration: 12 weeks

This course is for PG students and discusses the fundamentals of the field of biochemistry. It covers basics and requires a pre-requisite knowledge of basic physical chemistry. It involves discussion of various topics that are popular in the field of protein and biology.

Organic Chemistry:

Organisation: JNU

Duration: 15 weeks

This is a 4-credit course for M.Sc. students. It is designed to improve the factual and conceptual knowledge along with training them in the procedures. It uses modules, presentations, and 3D animations to help students understand the instructional designs by various theories.

Database and Content Organisation:

Organisation: IGNOU

Duration: 15 weeks

This course teaches database concepts, elements on DBMS, fundamentals of database design and use of WINISIS, MySQL, etc. It helps prepare students to understand the current database management technologies and the creation of efficient databases.

Law

Constitutional Studies:

Organisation: NLSIU

Duration: 12 weeks

This course introduces the constitutional law of India to students. It helps understand the constitutional principles as applied and understood in everyday life. Designed to be a simple course, it familiarises students with our constitution by way of questions instead of pure theory. It has great benefits for students looking for a future in public law, human resources, and think tanks.

Patent Search for engineers and Lawyers:

Organisation: IIT Kharagpur

Duration: 8 weeks

This online course aims to develop skills to conduct a patent search and analysis. It also enables the students to understand the techno-legal aspects of patenting. It is not only a beneficial course for law students but also for those entering into technical industries.

Indian Judicial System: Legal Aid and Environmental Protection:

Organisation: The English and Foreign Languages University

Duration: 12 weeks

This course not only focuses on understanding the history and development of the judicial system in India but also taxes the various laws protecting the environment. It aims to provide the students with an understanding of judicial activism, its need, and limitations, especially with respect to the environment.

Management and Commerce

Advanced corporate strategy:

Organisation: IIM Bangalore

Duration: 6 weeks

This course is focused on strategic issues faced by firms operating in complex, multi-dimensional environments. It provides students with knowledge of the analytical and conceptual skills required to grapple with problems surrounding corporate strategy.

Banking and Financial Markets: A Risk Management Perspective:

Organisation: IIM Bangalore

Duration: 6 weeks

This course covers a number of points about banking and financial markets such as measuring and managing credit risk, liquidity, and solvency in financial institutions, regulation, and monetary policy, etc.

Custom Relationship Management:

Organisation: IIM Bangalore

Duration: 6 weeks

CRM is an important tool for the successful implementation of business strategies, practices, and technologies that aim at retaining customers and gaining profit. This course aims to equip students with a sound understanding of CRM concepts and practices that can help with long-term profitability.

Cost Accounting:

Organisation: IIT Bombay

Duration: 4 weeks

This online course teaches the basic concepts of cost accounting and control. It is aimed at entrepreneurs, students, and even employees. It helps the students to understand and effectively use cost information for planning and budgeting.

Humanities and Arts

Human Resource Development:

Organisation: IIT Kharagpur

Duration: 12 weeks

Human Resource Development is a tool used in all industries. This course aims to teach students to develop skills as capable HRD practitioners and managers. It explains the contribution of HRD in any organization and addresses the role of HRD in the business goals of various organizations.

Consumer Psychology:

Organisation: IIT Guwahati

Duration: 8 weeks

True to its name, this course studies the consumer behaviour patterns and its consequences. It also explores the psychological factors that may have shaped these patterns and actions of the consumer in the global market.

Classical Sociological Theory:

Organisation: IIT Madras

Duration: 12 weeks

This course follows the in-depth analysis of classical sociological theories by Karl Marx, Durkheim, Weber, etc. It aims at developing a sociological perspective and gaining insights through an analysis of the key theories in sociology.

Development Research Methods:

Organisation: IIT Guwahati

Duration: 8 weeks

Intended for students interested in the R&D sector, this course will take up training in methodological approaches that can be applied in dissertations or project evaluations. Professionals in the development sector can also benefit from this course.

Multidisciplinary Courses

Advanced C++

Organisation: IIT Bombay

Duration: 4 weeks

A computer language is never an unnecessary skill in this digital era. This online course on Advanced C++ is for any student who wants to learn advanced programming. It uses the medium of audio-video tutorials that can be used to self learn.

Access to Justice:

Organisation: NLU, Delhi

Duration: 15 weeks

The online course is designed to cover the legal dimensions of equal access to justice. Students pursuing law, social sciences can benefit from this course but it is open to individuals from any discipline. It covers basic rights, promoting equal access and mode of realizations of such rights. It is a beneficial course for students aiming for competitive exams as well.

SWAYAM offers a number of inter-disciplinary online courses for free and each one of them is presided over by experienced faculty members. Apart from the courses listed here, the portal has many more online courses available and open for enrollment.

Here are some more resources that will help you prepare for the post Covid19 world:

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• These government internships are here to help you build your career

• Skillsets that will complement MBA specialisations in the post-COVID world