Context: Recently, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship,, launched the SWAYAM Plus Platform in New Delhi.

About SWAYAM Plus Platform

• It is a progressive extension aligned with NEP 2020, integrates industry-relevant courses to bolster learners' employability, fostered through collaborations with industry giants like L&T, Microsoft, and CISCO.

It will offer programmes in sectors such as:

• Manufacturing, Energy, Computer Science and Engineering/IT/ITES,

• Management Studies, Healthcare, Hospitality and Tourism besides Indian Knowledge Systems and others.

It will be operated by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

• It also envisions bringing in features such as access to mentorship, scholarships, and job placements as value-added services in due course of time.?

SWAYAM: Initiated by the Ministry of Education in 2017, emerged as a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, democratizing educational access for learners nationwide.

• Key Objectives: Establishing an inclusive ecosystem for professional development, encompassing learners, providers, industry, academia, and strategic partners.

• Implementing a credit recognition system for esteemed certifications and courses, bridging the gap between academia and industry standards.

• Integration with NEP 2020: SWAYAM offers a flexible learning avenue for working professionals, aligning with the NEP 2020's ethos of multiple-entry-multiple-exit options, facilitating continuous skill enhancement.

• Expanding Educational Horizons: With the inclusion of 43 million higher education students and professionals, SWAYAM extends the boundaries of traditional classrooms, catering to diverse learning needs and aspirations.

• Fostering Industry-Relevant Education: SWAYAM Plus emphasizes futuristic courses like semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence, and other job-centric training modules, fortifying youth's readiness for the evolving job market.

• Empowerment through Local Languages: SWAYAM integrates courses in local languages, empowering every student and fostering innovation, irrespective of linguistic backgrounds.

• Promoting Holistic Development: Beyond STEM education, SWAYAM incorporates diverse disciplines such as music, painting, humanities, and liberal arts, nurturing holistic development and creativity among the youth.