NPTEL announces 11 new online courses

After the success of the massive online certification courses (MOOCs) launched in September, NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning) at IIT Madras has introduced 11 new courses.  These courses cover a wider range of disciplines - humanities, physics, management, chemical engineering etc.

" Over 850 courses in more than 20 disciplines, created by the 7 IITs, IISc and partner institutes are available on our website for anyone to access for free, but these are meant for self-study and do not involve a certification process. NOC ensures student involvement and continued participation during the running of the online course. This is followed by a proctored certification exam with e-verifiable scores that attests the learning of the student and adds value to the resume. Doing an NOC course provides the student with a close-to-complete classroom-like learning experience," says Prof. Andrew Thangaraj, Coordinator, NPTEL, IIT Madras. 

The course platform that is powered by Google Coursebuilder has an array of new features - improved interface, matrix entry for answers, upload for essays and images. The number of cities where exams are held has been increased from 10 to 100 and the reach extended to J&K and the north-eastern states. 

Physical certificates will be awarded whose digital versions along with the student scores which can be verified online by prospective employers. Enrollment is free and is now open for the following courses at https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in :

Course 

• Programming & Data Structures                
• Design and Analysis of Algorithms 
• Introduction to Information Security - I     
• Digital Circuits and Systems  
• Introduction to Operations Research Strategy: An Introduction to Game Theory Introduction to Electromagnetism 
• Literary Theory and Literary Criticism Language and Mind
• BioMEMS and Microsystems Introduction to Time-Frequency Analysis and Wavelet Transforms  

Enrollment is open until January 16, 2015

• Course duration 05th January 5 to February 27, 2015
• Exam dates are March 22/29, 2015

 For more information on IIT Madras: www.iitm.ac.in/

Rajasthan Institute of Engineering & Technology signs MoU with TSSC

Rajasthan Institute of Engineering & Technology (RIET) Jaipur, has become the first technical institute to provide soft skill training in association with Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC). In this regard, RIET has signed an exclusive MoU with TSSC, a society registered under the Societies Registrations act, based in New Delhi.  

These technical courses will create ample job opportunities for all potential aspirants from Rajasthan and other parts of the country. The courses will provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge about every aspect of the telecom industry and make them eligible through their certification, to face all challenges in future. 

TSSC will provide the necessary support through guest lectures and arranging mid-term and extended internship projects for the students to gain experience on real-time data, projects and research papers at TSSC. RIET will also use TSSC MOOCs platform for delivery of courses offered in TSSC's LMS. 

Entries invited for youth summit

Essay applications from students for participating in second Youth Ag-Summit in Canberra are being accepted online through January 30, 2015 at www.youthagsummit.com. Bayer Crop Science in collaboration with Future Farmers Network Australia (FFN) will host this summit from August 24th to 28th, 2015. Approximately 100 young thought leaders from around the world are invited to secure their attendance by submitting an essay outlining their position on the underlying causes of food security and the effect it can have on a population. Joerg Rehbein, Head of Bayer Crop Science, Indian Subcontinent, said, "Agriculture continues to play an important part in the Indian economy, and it is the youth who will help drive growth in this industry through innovation. By 2050, the world's population is estimated to be more than 9 billion, supported by less farmland and resources than ever before. This Summit challenges youth to address what is arguably the biggest issue facing the world today, how do we feed ourselves?"

The summit is a unique forum for youth leaders to bring their fresh and innovative thinking to these big challenges, providing a global platform to allow youth to engage with current and future agricultural leaders.  — TNS