Coursera, Inc., in partnership with the National Association of Software and Service Companies, has announced that ten Professional Certificates from Google and IBM have been aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) exclusively on Coursera. This initiative establishes a framework for universities and employers to offer credit recognition for industry content, thereby creating additional pathways for learners to pursue career opportunities based on their skills in the country.
The National Credit Framework (NCrF) under the National Education Policy allows students to earn credits for various forms of learning, facilitating transitions between academic studies and skill-based education. By aligning Google and IBM Professional Certificates with the NSQF, this initiative further encourages a move from traditional education to competency-based learning. This alignment enables higher education institutions and students to transfer credits for eligible Professional Certificates on Coursera, promoting the development of job-ready, digitally skilled graduates. According to Coursera’s Learner Outcome Report 2023, 21% of Indian learners have secured new jobs and 32% have experienced salary increases after completing entry-level Professional Certificates.
“This collaboration with Coursera to align Google and IBM Professional Certificates with the NSQF framework is a wonderful demonstration of the flexibility and relevance that is coming into play through the national credit framework under the NEP. When giants like Google, IBM and Coursera come on board, it’s a powerful signal how good policy leads to powerful outcomes. Learners will have access to industry-relevant courses in cutting-edge technologies and make their credits count towards their degrees. As SSC Nasscom, we are committed to building a strong ecosystem and empowering all the industry and training partners that take the time to understand how powerful this construct and weave it into their skilling strategies – benefiting the learner, the potential employer and of course, making business sense”, said Kirti Seth, CEO, IT-ITeS Sector Skill Council nasscom.
“The NSQF alignment of these Professional Certificates from Google and IBM supports India’s education reform, facilitating credit transfer across academic and skill-based learning, while increasing student mobility and employability”, said Raghav Gupta, Managing Director, India and APAC, Coursera. “We’re excited to partner with nasscom in this transformative initiative, aligned with India’s vision to become the skills capital of the world”.
“Technology is an incredible force that has democratized information, and therefore opportunity, to anyone with curiosity and drive. Google’s skilling programs on Coursera are an extension of that ethos, where anyone who wishes to engage with tech not just as a user but as a practitioner – be it UX, digital marketing or any other domain – can do so without being constrained by prior education or experience. More power to Coursera in making these opportunities widely available,” Shekar Khosla, VP – Marketing, Google India.
“Achieving NSQF alignment for IBM’s Professional Certificates on Coursera marks a crucial step in bridging the technology sector’s skills gap and underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality education that meets the evolving demands of the industry. We’re excited about the positive impact these certificates will have on learners’ job readiness and their careers”, said Rav Ahuja, CCO & Global Program Director, IBM Skills Network.
Coursera has recently unveiled new genAI-powered features designed to streamline assessment creation and grading, strengthen academic integrity, and enhance learning and evaluation processes. These innovations greatly boost the credibility and recognition of online learning, making it easier for universities and employers to accept online courses for academic credit and professional qualifications.
