Aswini B – NPTEL STAR
Aswini’s NPTEL journey began modestly in 2019 with an enrollment in three courses. Yet, this quickly became a defining force in both her academic and personal life. Hailing from the Tiruvallur district in Tamil Nadu, Aswini holds a BA in English Literature, and a Master’s from the University of Madras.
She first encountered NPTEL during her postgraduate studies, introduced to it by Professor Armstrong. Initially, the process was unfamiliar; she admits, “I struggled to even register for the first course.” However, within a single semester, she was captivated. “I started with three courses. I used to listen to the lectures and take notes during my train commutes.”
Since then, Aswini has completed an astounding 67 NPTEL courses, primarily in English and literature. For her, NPTEL was more than just coursework; she describes it as a lifeline during her toughest times. “NPTEL became my solace,” she recalls. “For six months, I would wake up, watch lectures, and do assignments. It gave me a sense of purpose.” It was during this period that she earned her domain certificate in English, proudly noting that she was the first person to achieve this distinction.
Her favorite courses include “Victorian Gothic Short Fiction,” “Feminist Writings,” “World Literature,” and “Literature and Life.” She credits the teaching styles of Professors Dr. Divya, Dr. Avishek Parui, Dr. Merin Simi Raj, and Dr. S.P. Dhanavel for reshaping how she approaches both learning and teaching.
Aswini’s dedication to NPTEL extends beyond lectures; she enjoys every step of the process, rather than approaching it as a duty. During exam times, she would wake up at dawn , pack food, and travel across the city to exam centers. “It always felt like a small picnic”, she laughs. “I’ve in fact discovered so many colleges in and around Chennai just by going to give my NPTEL exams!”
“Receiving that first STAR certificate felt like winning a major award. I shared it with everyone I knew,” she says. “Little did I know, a much greater reward was waiting for me.”
Aswini is now set to begin a prestigious NPTEL-funded Pre-Doctoral Fellowship at IIT Roorkee starting July 2025 – a significant stepping stone toward her long-term dream of pursuing a PhD.
NPTEL not only equipped her with research insights and provided a Pre-Doctoral fellowship opportunity, but it also helped her crack the UGC NET exam. “The lectures and methodologies helped me structure my research and discover gaps I could work on,” she explains. “Also, I didn’t study separately for NET; the NPTEL course content prepared me.”
On advice to learners, she says – “Do it out of curiosity, not compulsion. Colleges should explain the value of NPTEL, and not make it mandatory. And learners should treat it as a chance to grow intellectually and personally.”
Aswini’s story is a testament to the resilience, passion, and enthusiasm of self-motivated learners. It also shows the transformative power of accessible education. In her words, “NPTEL is not just a platform- it’s a part of me now”.
– Written by Asha Thangaraj