Anna N Kurian
For Anna N Kurian, studying does not always mean sitting at a desk. Sometimes it means taking printed NPTEL material into the kitchen while her young child is at home. A full-time research scholar at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University in Thiruvananthapuram, she has learned to fit her studies around research, family and work.
Her NPTEL journey began in 2018, during her M.Tech at St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology, Palai. Introduced to NPTEL by a mentor, she enrolled in her first course: ‘Cloud Computing’ by Prof. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, from IIT Kharagpur. “I scored more than 75%,” she recalls with a hint of pride. This initial success was followed by a course on Blockchain Architecture and Use Cases, which gave her access to IBM Cloud, which proved crucial to her M.Tech project. The experience not only added academic credits but also instilled a deep appreciation for learning from leading institutes.
The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by marriage, motherhood and a full-time teaching career, pushed NPTEL into the background. “I enrolled in one course only because there was a limited amount of time,” she explains. Balancing family life and professional responsibilities left little room for multiple courses.
The turning point arrived in December 2023, when she transitioned to a full-time research scholar focusing on quantum-inspired optimization. Recognizing the lack of specialized courses in her immediate academic environment, she turned back to NPTEL. This time, she didn’t just enroll; she committed. With more room to structure her time around research, she took on four courses simultaneously, including ‘Introduction to Quantum Computing: Quantum Algorithms and Qiskit’, from IBM and IITM, taught by Prof. Prabha Mandayam, Prof. Anupama Ray, and Prof. Sheshashayee Raghunathan. She navigated the complex world of Quantum Mechanics from a Computer Science perspective.
Her dedication paid off. In the January-April semester, she achieved the prestigious “Believer Star” title. “I came to know that NPTEL is giving such appreciation for the hard work we have done. I’m very happy and very fortunate,” she shares. Anna’s study routine is pragmatic; with her research hours from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM dedicated to learning, she meticulously watches lectures, takes notes, and prints materials. “In my home, I have a small kid. So it’s not possible for me to open the laptop or phone to study.
If it is printed material, I can study in the kitchen also,”
she says, highlighting the ingenious ways she integrates learning into her daily life.
Her favorite course? ‘Quantum Computing: Algorithms and Limitations through Query Model’ by Prof. Rajat Mittal from IIT Kanpur. She praises the instructor for breaking down complex mathematical models into understandable concepts for computer science students. She has since begun recommending NPTEL to colleagues, friends and even her husband. She is currently preparing for a paper presentation, drawing on the knowledge gained through these courses.
For those hesitating to start, Anna offers simple, actionable advice:
“Just press the ‘join the course’ button.
If you have a starting problem, just enroll. After hearing the content, if you are interested and able to do the assignments properly, register for the exam. Otherwise, just leave it.” Her study spaces may change, from a research lab to a kitchen counter, but the principle remains the same: start, learn, and make the time you have work for you.
~written by Elsa Prasad