Srinadh Unnava
While teaching Java to his students, Srinadh Unnava is also pursuing a Java course through NPTEL. An Associate Professor in the Department of Information Technology at Sasi Institute of Technology and Engineering, Andhra Pradesh, he believes that learning cannot stop at teaching. For him, the two go hand in hand.
Having taught students since 2008, Srinadh began his NPTEL journey in 2019. He was looking for ways to enrich his knowledge and explore emerging trends. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching, too, moved online, making it essential for him to strengthen his skills and adapt to new ways of engaging with students. With limited access to other opportunities at the time, this search for better teaching methodologies led him to NPTEL, which ended up adding immensely to his professional journey.
His first courses were ‘Human-Computer Interaction’ and ‘Software Testing’. He earned his first certificate for the latter based on his performance in the assessments during the lockdown. When he began his PhD in 2020, he also explored courses like ‘Introduction to Machine Learning’ and ‘Research Methodology’ through NPTEL as part of his pre-PhD learning. Through credit transfer, these courses helped him fulfil his part of the PhD requirements.
Over the years, his interests have extended across several areas of computing. He particularly enjoyed the ‘Python in Data Science’ course for its emphasis on problem-solving. ‘Deep Learning’, ‘Data Analytics Using Python’, and ‘Machine Learning’ were among his other favourites. He now holds nine NPTEL certificates and has recently been recognised as an NPTEL Discipline Star. Altogether, the recognition is more than a credential – it reinforces his identity as an educator who continues to learn.
For Srinadh, the real value of these courses lies in what he can bring back to his classroom.
NPTEL Discipline Star in Humanities and Social Sciences, with 9 completed courses and more than 4 Elite Certificates.
“Sometimes, tutoring can become limited to preparing students for examinations. They need exposure to industry requirements, real-world scenarios, and the practical applications of what they are taught”. NPTEL helps him explore these perspectives and incorporate fresh learning into his teaching.
His current Java course is a deliberate choice. Learning the subject alongside teaching it, he can strengthen his understanding while encouraging his students to explore the course themselves and earn certification. This additional learning will help them polish their skills, while building a stronger profile for their professional careers.
“Teaching is a way of guiding society towards a positive direction and that responsibility comes with a need to keep learning”., Srinadh says.
Despite his schedule filled with classes, he continues to engage with course assessments. He estimates that around 70-80 per cent of the material covered in these courses relates to what he teaches. Even though covering every component is not always possible, he makes an effort to remain involved in the learning process through assignments and exams.
Teaching and learning should never be separate journeys. As Srinadh continues to explore new subjects, he brings that experience back to his classroom, encouraging his students to look beyond what is taught to them. Perhaps that is what makes his NPTEL journey meaningful: not just the knowledge he gains along the way, but the example he sets for those who learn from him.
~written by Khushi
