Manisha S – NPTEL STAR
Meet Manisha, a Chennai native and an Energy and Environmental Engineering student at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore. She is one of those rare individuals who sees learning as a fun side quest, constantly chasing diverse knowledge and skillfully juggling multiple pursuits. When Manisha started at TNAU, she never imagined she would be juggling architectural models, patents, and sustainable theories. Yet, that’s exactly what happened, and she credits NPTEL for it all.
Manisha has always excelled, consistently topping both academics and co-curriculars. Despite her achievements, she felt a void – a desire for more space to explore, gain knowledge, and be tested and acknowledged for her efforts. “I fell in love with NPTEL the moment I saw it”, she says. “I wouldn’t have the diverse knowledge I have today if it weren’t for NPTEL”.
When a professor suggested NPTEL, M’s “why not” attitude kicked off her journey. She started with just one course to test things out, but quickly found herself immersed in the learning marathon. “At one point, I didn’t really have or need any reason to do more courses; it just became a fun side quest”, she laughs.
Throughout her three years of undergraduate studies, Manisha completed 26 NPTEL courses. These weren’t limited to her core discipline; she explored a wide range of subjects, including environmental engineering, sustainable architecture, and management, even delving into niche areas like patents. The depth and interdisciplinary reach of NPTEL truly impressed her.
She is very passionate about sustainable architecture, a field she explored through courses taught by Professor Vijayalaxmi Kasinath from the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada. These courses gave her a completely new perspective on environmental responsibility. Manisha particularly values the brief interaction she had with Professor Vijaylaxmi, an opportunity made possible through NPTEL.
True to her style as a “last-minute learner,” Manisha often found herself juggling assignments, university deadlines, and late-night study sessions. “I can’t sit and study the whole day, but the NPTEL courses, including the weekly assignments, the neatly packed modules, and deadlines kept me on track and helped me stay consistent”, she shares.
One of her proudest moments was being recognized as an NPTEL STAR. “I wasn’t even aware of what it meant at first”, she says. “When I shared the news with my professor, he was thrilled. I even ended up being featured on the college bulletin board and was asked to speak to juniors about NPTEL, encouraging them to explore it as well”.
Manisha is set to join the NPTEL Pre-Doctoral Fellowship at IIT Madras in July 2025. She’ll be working with Professor Raghavan from the Mechanical Engineering Department, focusing on burners for biofuels and hydrogen energy systems.
“I wouldn’t have landed this opportunity if it weren’t for NPTEL,” she says, crediting her consistent engagement with the platform.
To fellow learners, she says, “I truly believe nothing can stop someone from learning. We often don’t realize the extent of what we don’t know, and every day reveals how much more there is out there. So, why not embrace continuous learning? With platforms like NPTEL offering free access to knowledge, it’s a great opportunity to make the most of it.”
– Written by Asha Thangaraj