Dr. Swagata Sarkar – NPTEL STAR
For Dr. Swagata Sarkar, learning is a lifelong pursuit, not something you finish. She currently serves as the Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at Sri Sairam Engineering College in Chennai, bringing over 25 years of experience to her role – seven in the industry and the rest in academia, shaping young minds.
Hailing from Kolkata, Dr. Sarkar’s academic path is as diverse as her interests. It began with a diploma in West Bengal, followed by an undergraduate degree in AI&M, where she was a gold medallist. She went on to complete two master’s degrees in Mobile Communication and Instrumentation and Control. After moving to Chennai for her PhD, she also earned an MBA and a degree in Psychology. Not stopping there, she completed a certification course in Quantum Mechanics through IIT Madras’ CODE program.
Dr. Sarkar’s association with NPTEL began in 2017, quite by chance. At that time, she wasn’t aware that faculty members could enroll for courses offered by India’s premier institutes through NPTEL. It was a student who pointed her to the platform, sparking a truly transformative journey.
Today, Dr. Sarkar has completed an impressive 66 NPTEL courses across many subjects. She has earned 19 STAR certificates, missing only three. She has also secured three Domain Certifications for completing curated courses that lead to specialization. These include a certification in Data Science, as well as both the Fundamental and Advanced certificates in the Faculty Domain.
She also has two more certifications in the pipeline, with only a couple of courses left in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Looking ahead, she’s also interested in pursuing the Intellectual Property Rights domain.
Despite all these accomplishments, she modestly shares, “I never began this journey with ostentatious goals or a hunger for recognition. I simply believed in learning to teach better. That is what drives me.”
Dr. Sarkar’s teaching philosophy is both simple and profound: you cannot teach well unless you keep learning. Her daily routine is meticulously structured around this belief. Mornings are dedicated to her college duties, while her evenings are reserved for her own education – NPTEL lectures and assignments. For her, it’s not about the numbers. “I never sign up for courses just to finish them,” she says. “I choose what I love, and I only finish what I can do with quality.”
Dr. Sarkar’s favourite courses include Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning, and AI Fundamentals. She speaks with fondness about Prof. Balaram and Prof. Khemani whom she considers are both brilliant and deeply committed to learner success. “I’ve met Balaram sir in person, and he is such an inspiring human being. But truly, every faculty member brings something exceptional to the table”.
Beyond the content, Dr. Sarkar is most excited by NPTEL’s evolving ecosystem. “The platform keeps evolving, which shows the quality IITs maintain. It keeps us on our toes,” she shares. She envisions a future with mini-projects, hands-on modules, and region-wise learner meetups to enhance networking.
“Even school students are taking exams now. The volume has increased tremendously, but the quality has remained intact. That’s not easy to maintain,” she adds.
Her advice to fellow learners is to start reskilling now, not later. “The time to plan your next 15 years is today,” she says. “That’s how you stay relevant and fulfilled. Platforms like NPTEL offer a great window of opportunities to explore; so make good use of them.”
Dr. Sarkar isn’t a solo achiever; she believes in “growing together.” Whether she is mentoring students or encouraging her peers, she insists on building a culture of learning. As an NPTEL translator, she has also contributed to making knowledge more accessible. “Knowledge and behavior are the only things you carry forward,” she says. “So, why not share them while you can?”
Dr. Sarkar’s incredible journey shows that passion for learning, combined with platforms like NPTEL, can create a powerful legacy of both personal and collective growth. Her story is a testament to the fact that continuous learning isn’t just about professional development – it’s about building a better community through shared knowledge and mentorship.
– written by Asha Thangaraj