G Sreenivasulu
As an educator, G. Sreenivasulu believes that mastering a subject matters most when that knowledge helps others move forward. For him, learning is not a certificate to frame; it is knowledge waiting to be put into practice.
An Assistant Professor in the CSE Department, and Head of the Training and Placement at Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Kadapa, G. Sreenivasulu also serves as his institution’s NPTEL College SPOC. Between teaching programming and preparing students for industry and GATE examinations, he has made continuous learning a cornerstone of his professional journey.
His NPTEL journey began in 2018 with a clear ambition: “I had set one goal – to become a master in the programming area and core subjects from the Computer Science domain.” He wanted to strengthen his subject knowledge through the expertise of faculty from premier institutions such as the IITs and IISc.
NPTEL’s structured curriculum, assignments, and examinations offered more than academic content: they gave him a way to identify knowledge gaps and measure his progress. Beginning with ‘Database Management Systems’, he went on to complete courses in C, C++, Java, Python and Data Structures. Becoming a Topper in Java and a Domain Scholar in Programming marked milestones in this pursuit.
But the real value lay in the fact that he applied what he learned to design assessments for students in programming and core Computer Science subjects, translating personal expertise into practical academic support.
As an NPTEL College SPOC, Sreenivasulu encourages students to choose courses aligned with their academic ambitions and industry requirements. He particularly recommends courses pertaining to DBMS and Programming subjects, because of their significance in project development and real-world software work. He observed that NPTEL examinations often expose students to unfamiliar problem types, helping them recognise what they know and what they still need to learn. For some of his students, this sharper understanding, combined with sustained preparation, has helped them clear interview rounds.
He fondly recalls the pre-lockdown batches that studied alongside him. They attempted examinations, compared progress, worked through assessments and discussed doubts together. The experience strengthened their preparation and made learning a shared pursuit rather than a solitary task. At the same time, many students struggle with being consistent with the courses. To address this, he has also introduced faculty mentoring for NPTEL learners. A two-hour session per week bringing students together to follow lectures, work towards completing assignments and resolve doubts. The challenge of maintaining momentum is being met with a more structured, supportive approach now.
Sreenivasulu believes NPTEL’s greatest strength lies in combining self-learning with self-assessment. He recommends restoring live programming examinations and incorporating project-development assessments to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and application.
For him, recognition is rewarding, but the real achievement is gaining expertise, identifying gaps and helping students move forward. His advice to learners reflects the same philosophy: stay consistent, remain curious, ask questions and keep pace with assignments.
After all, a strong career is rarely built in a single leap. It is built one lesson, one challenge and one deliberate effort at a time.
~written by Khushi
