Chennai: SmartBridge, an entity of Veranda Learning, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SWAYAM PLUS, an initiative led by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. 

Within this partnership, SmartBridge will provide a diverse array of courses, encompassing Artificial Intelligence, Applied Data Science, Backend Development (Java Spring Boot), Cyber Security Analysis, Android Application Development (utilizing Kotlin), and Android Application Development (using Flutter). Of the 9 courses available on Swayam Plus, six will be offered under SmartBridge’s purview. These courses adhere to the National Credit Framework (NCRF) levels 5 and 5.5, granting students access to project-based learning experiences and ensuring their eligibility for credits.

As a result of this partnership, SmartBridge will incorporate six courses from Swayam Plus’s current lineup of nine into its offerings. These include Artificial Intelligence, Applied Data Science, Backend Development using Java Spring Boot, Cyber Security Analyst training, and two tracks for Android Application Development, one using Kotlin and the other using Flutter.

Operated by IIT Madras, the SWAYAM Plus platform will offer programs across vital sectors such as energy, manufacturing, computer science and engineering, IT or ITES, management studies, and healthcare, among others.

Shri Dharmesh Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship said, “The National Education Policy (NEP) is on roll and for the first time, reputed industrial houses will be coming with their own academy, partnering with the UGC, esteemed education departments, and prestigious institutes like IIT Madras. All these courses will be accredited.”

Amarender Katkam, CEO, SmartBridge, emphasized “Our courses on the SWAYAM PLUS platform are meticulously designed to align with the most pressing industry needs. Emphasizing project-based learning, these courses offer practical experience and are tailored to specific roles, ensuring they meet the industry’s requirements and are eligible for credits.”

The SWAYAM Plus platform stands out for its multilingual content, an AI-powered chatbot for student support, and its credit recognition system. IIT Madras will manage the SWAYAM Plus platform, drawing on its wealth of experience as a founding institution of Swayam-NPTEL and the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform.