Rizwan Ahamed – NPTEL STAR
Rizwan Ahamed, a Biotechnology graduate, is currently a Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow at IIT Kharagpur, supported by an NPTEL-funded program. He is conducting research focused on developing transparent biomaterials for wound healing under the guidance of Dr. Shubamoy Mondal.
Growing up, Rizwan didn’t see himself as a bright student, but he always possessed a strong curiosity to learn. “I’ve always been interested in research, even during college. While others waited till final year to find labs, I started hunting them early on”, he says. By the end of his fourth semester, he secured a lab position, working on a DBT-BIRAC funded project focused on bone fracture healing using plant-derived scaffolds. This experience solidified his passion for research.
Rizwan’s introduction to NPTEL happened in college, thanks to Professor Valli Nachiyar, who he affectionately calls NPTEL’s ambassador there. Initially, it was just a curricular requirement—two 8-week courses for credit. But Rizwan saw something more. He found that many of the core biology concepts he needed to brush up on were clearly explained in NPTEL lectures. The structured format just worked for him. “I mean, where else do you get to relearn things at your own pace like that?” he remarked.
What started as a requirement and a doubt-clearing session soon became a habit. Rizwan dove into NPTEL’s course offerings and completed about 20 courses. His favourite instructors so far include Prof. Mukesh Doble from IIT Madras, Prof. Gopinath from IIT Roorkee, and Prof. Biplab Bose from IIT Guwahati. Their teaching styles left a deep impression on him.
Rizwan had a structured approach to learning, reserving Wednesdays exclusively for NPTEL. Before final exams, he would rewatch lectures, take handwritten notes, and prepare diligently. The value added was immediate, he says.
The courses he took not only enhanced his project work but also helped him plan his academic future.
Rizwan is currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Science and Technology at the University of Malaya in Malaysia. After his NPTEL-funded one year research fellowship at IIT Kharagpur concludes this August, he’ll be heading to Malaysia to pursue his Master’s. He also hopes to pursue a PhD at IIT Madras in a few years. Despite juggling multiple roles – his current research, writing pursuits, and involvement in a startup – he ensures that learning never takes a back seat.
NPTEL hasn’t just added to his academic repertoire, but has also directly impacted his trajectory so far. “I wouldn’t be in IIT Kharagpur right now without NPTEL. It funds my current position and gives me credibility in research and conferences”, he says.
In fact, he shares that he was awarded the Best Outgoing Student Award at his college, in part due to his consistent involvement with NPTEL.
However, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. He acknowledges one recurring problem – the distance to exam centers. “Time management is my biggest issue”, he laughs. But all the logistical and other issues aside, Rizwan is grateful to NPTEL for its structured, accessible, and high-quality learning.
On advice to fellow learners: “Plan your semesters in advance, choose courses that align with your goals – whether it is getting domain certification, getting a STAR Badge, or a research internship. Treat Wednesdays as sacred for assignments and use the forums wisely. Just make sure you take full advantage of everything that NPTEL has to offer,” he says.
Rizwan’s story reflects what happens when passion meets discipline and how the right platforms can empower driven individuals to shape their journeys.
– Written by Asha Thangaraj