Tailor-Made
Business Today|August 25, 2019

Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, could be the most convenient way to upskill or reskill people and drive professional growth.

Sonal Khetarpal
Tailor-Made

CIRCA 2017. Chennai-based Ranganath Kumar Sami was working as the principal research engineer for Modine Thermal Systems. He was a reputed technocrat and reporting to the CXOs. “But when I started climbing the leadership ladder, I felt I should have a better grip on other crucial business aspects such as marketing or finance.” A full-time, on-campus MBA course was ruled out as he was not willing to leave his family (or stay away from his job, for that matter). Then he came across an online programme conducted by the University of Illinois in partnership with Coursera, a provider of massive open online courses, or MOOCs. These short-format video lectures and self-assessment tests can be accessed remotely by all whether they are commuting to work or have managed to snatch some free time when their babies are napping. Now Kumar Sami puts in 10-14 hours a week from the comfort of his home and has finished six semesters over the past two years.

Unlike traditional online courses with limited enrolment opportunities and high tuition fees, MOOCs are the knowledge highways for self-motivated and evolving learners. They have been around since 2008 but became a global phenomenon three years later when Stanford professor Sebastian Thrun and Google’s Director of Research Peter Norvig uploaded on the Internet a free course on artificial intelligence. The aim was to bring the best education to the remotest corners of the planet and help learners expand their professional and intellectual horizons. It was an instant hit and saw thousands of enrolments within the first few weeks.

Esta historia es de la edición August 25, 2019 de Business Today.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August 25, 2019 de Business Today.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE BUSINESS TODAYVer todo
"Moving to cloud helped us grow❞
Business Today India

"Moving to cloud helped us grow❞

What was the problem you were grappling with?

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
She's Got Time
Business Today India

She's Got Time

MORE WOMEN ARE BECOMING WATCH CONNOISSEURS, SEEKING OUT BOTH JEWELLED AND TECHNICAL WATCHES FOR THEIR STYLE AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
RISING STAR
Business Today India

RISING STAR

PARUL GULATI IS a name that's been steadily gaining prominence in the Indian entertainment industry after she appeared on season 2 of Shark Tank in 2023. She has become a multifaceted personality who effortlessly transitions between acting and entrepreneurship.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Building on a Legacy
Business Today India

Building on a Legacy

WHEN ZAHABIYA KHORAKIWALA stepped into her role as Managing Director of Wockhardt Hospitals over a decade ago, she confronted formidable challenges that have since turned into achievements.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
LEADER IN INNOVATION
Business Today India

LEADER IN INNOVATION

AS FEDEX'S PRESIDENT (Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa), Kami Viswanathan has a lot on her plate.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
WAITING IN THE WINGS
Business Today India

WAITING IN THE WINGS

Here are those who missed out as they have not yet completed a year in office; they'll be strong contenders in 2025

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
A DECENT PROPOSAL
Business Today India

A DECENT PROPOSAL

IN TODAY'S WORLD OF TRYING TO CREATE AN EQUITABLE SPACE, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO HAVE THEIR OWN SAVINGS POOL AND INVESTMENT ROUTINE. GIVEN THIS, HOW SHOULD FUTURE BRIDES APPROACH FINANCIAL PLANNING?

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
Women and the STEM Bias
Business Today India

Women and the STEM Bias

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN STEM WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT INDIVIDUALS, BUT ALSO STRENGTHEN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY, DRIVING INNOVATION AND PROGRESS.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
ROCKET WOMEN
Business Today India

ROCKET WOMEN

WOMEN IN INDIA ARE NOT ONLY VENTURING INTO SPACE BUT ARE ALSO STARTING TO SPEARHEAD THE COUNTRY'S EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL SPACE RACE.

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 24, 2024
ONE STEP FORWARD
Business Today India

ONE STEP FORWARD

THE NUMBER OF WOMEN INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS IS GROWING STEADILY, BUT IT'S A LONG WAY FROM GENDER PARITY. MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING IN BOARDROOMS.

time-read
6 minutos  |
November 24, 2024