India : The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has introduced a new initiative aimed at expanding access to technology-based education and professional development through free online training programmes for school students, teachers and educators.
The programme has been launched by the institute’s Pravartak Technologies Foundation in collaboration with BodhBridge Education. It is designed to help learners develop practical knowledge and skills in emerging fields while providing educators with opportunities to improve their teaching methods and classroom management abilities.
Applications for the online programmes are open from November 2026 to January 2027. Interested students, teachers and educational professionals can register through the official website, bodhbridge.iitmpravartak.org.in.
The initiative is intended to connect conventional classroom learning with the changing requirements of industry and the modern workplace. By introducing students to subjects such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, entrepreneurship and design thinking, the programme seeks to encourage innovation, creativity and problem-solving from an early stage.
According to the programme details, students studying in Classes 7 to 12 will be eligible to participate in specialised training sessions covering several emerging technology areas.
The initiative also includes separate development programmes for teachers and educators, recognising the importance of strengthening teaching capabilities alongside improvements in student learning.
Students to Learn Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
One of the major components of the initiative focuses on introducing school students to technologies that are increasingly influencing businesses, industries and everyday life.
Students from Classes 7 to 12 will receive training in artificial intelligence fundamentals, electric vehicles and future mobility, entrepreneurship, design thinking and innovation.
The artificial intelligence component is expected to introduce learners to basic concepts and applications of the technology. Early exposure to AI can help students understand how intelligent systems operate and how technology can be used to address practical problems.
Similarly, the programme on electric vehicles and future mobility will familiarise participants with developments in transportation technology and the changing automotive industry.
The inclusion of entrepreneurship is intended to encourage students to explore business ideas, understand innovation and develop an interest in creating solutions to real-world challenges.
Design thinking and innovation will provide another important dimension to the training. These areas encourage learners to identify problems, examine possible solutions and develop creative approaches through practical activities.
Rather than limiting education to theoretical explanations, the programmes will combine live online sessions, case studies and hands-on exercises.
This approach is intended to help students understand how concepts introduced during training can be applied outside the classroom.
Free Live Online Classes to Expand Accessibility
The decision to offer the training through an online platform is expected to make the programmes accessible to students and educators from different geographical locations.
Students who may not have access to specialised technology courses in their schools can participate remotely, subject to the programme’s registration and participation requirements.
Online learning also provides flexibility for participants who want to develop additional skills alongside their regular academic schedules.
The partnership between IIT Madras Pravartak and BodhBridge Education aims to provide structured learning opportunities supported by experts from the technology, academic and startup sectors.
The programmes will be organised through monthly cohorts between November 2026 and January 2027.
This arrangement is expected to provide multiple opportunities for interested participants to join the training during the application period.
The organisers have also highlighted the importance of practical exposure, with activities designed to strengthen creativity, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
These skills are increasingly considered important for students preparing for higher education and professional careers in a technology-driven economy.
Special Training Opportunities for Teachers and Educators
Apart from school students, the initiative includes programmes specifically designed for teachers, school administrators and other education professionals.
The available training areas include career counselling certification, leadership development for educators, classroom management and student engagement.
The career counselling programme is intended to help educators better understand the academic and professional choices available to students.
Teachers frequently play an important role in guiding students towards suitable subjects, higher education opportunities and career pathways. However, changing industry requirements and the emergence of new professional fields have made career guidance increasingly complex.
Training in this area could help educators develop a better understanding of emerging employment opportunities and provide more informed guidance to students.
The leadership development programme will focus on strengthening the capabilities of education professionals responsible for managing institutions and supporting academic development.
Effective educational leadership is important for creating a positive learning environment, coordinating teaching activities and encouraging improvements in institutional performance.
Classroom management and student engagement form another important part of the initiative.
Teachers are increasingly required to adopt interactive teaching approaches that encourage participation rather than depending entirely on traditional lecture-based methods.
Training in classroom management can help educators address different learning requirements, maintain discipline and create an environment in which students feel encouraged to participate.
The student engagement component is expected to introduce approaches that can make classroom activities more interactive and improve communication between teachers and learners.
Industry Experts and IIT Madras Alumni to Lead Training
The programmes will be delivered with support from experts associated with the IIT Madras alumni network, startup ecosystem and industry.
Their involvement is expected to bring practical experience into the learning process and help participants understand how different technologies and professional skills are applied in real-world situations.
Industry-oriented learning is particularly relevant for students who are preparing to enter higher education at a time when technological developments are changing the nature of employment.
Artificial intelligence, automation, electric mobility and digital innovation are creating new opportunities across several sectors.
However, understanding these developments requires more than basic theoretical knowledge. Students also need opportunities to explore applications, develop ideas and learn how to approach practical challenges.
The programme’s combination of live sessions, case studies and interactive exercises is intended to address this requirement.
The organisers have also highlighted the importance of developing communication and creative thinking abilities, which remain valuable across different professional fields.
According to Dhanalakshmi Sampath, Manager of the Digital Skills Academy at IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, the programmes are intended to serve as a bridge between classroom education and industry requirements.
She highlighted the importance of building essential capabilities in artificial intelligence, financial literacy and entrepreneurship while providing students, teachers and institutions with practical learning resources.
Optional Certification from IIT Madras Pravartak
Another feature of the initiative is the availability of an optional certification from IIT Madras Pravartak.
Participants can access the free live online training, while those interested in obtaining certification can explore the additional certification option under the programme’s applicable conditions.
The certification opportunity may provide learners with a way to formally document their participation and training experience.
For school students, exposure to specialised subjects at an early stage can help them identify areas of interest before choosing academic streams or considering future career options.
For teachers, professional development opportunities can support continuous learning and introduce new approaches to classroom instruction.
The availability of optional certification also provides an additional pathway for participants who want to demonstrate their engagement with the training.
Interested applicants should review the programme information on the official registration website for details regarding individual courses, eligibility, schedules and certification requirements.
Building Technology Awareness Among School Students
The initiative comes at a time when the education sector is increasingly focusing on the integration of technology and practical skills into conventional academic learning.
Students are growing up in an environment where digital platforms, artificial intelligence and automation are becoming part of everyday activities.
Introducing these subjects during school education can help learners develop an early understanding of technological developments and their potential applications.
At the same time, teachers need opportunities to update their knowledge and teaching practices to respond to changing student requirements.
Programmes combining student training with educator development can therefore contribute to a broader improvement in the learning environment.
The initiative also highlights the growing role of higher education institutions in extending specialised academic resources beyond university campuses.
By making selected training opportunities available online, IIT Madras Pravartak is seeking to reach a wider group of learners and educators.
According to the programme information, more than 45,000 teachers have already benefited from its free training programmes.
The latest collaboration with BodhBridge Education extends this effort by bringing together technology-focused learning for school students and professional development opportunities for educators.
Registration and Programme Timeline
Students from Classes 7 to 12, along with eligible teachers and education professionals, can apply through the designated online platform.
The application window runs from November 2026 through January 2027, with training organised in monthly batches during this period.
Applicants should check the available programme categories and registration instructions before submitting their details.
The initiative is expected to provide participants with exposure to emerging technologies, entrepreneurial thinking and modern educational practices without charging for the live online training.
With its focus on practical learning, technology awareness and professional development, the collaboration represents an effort to connect school education more closely with the skills required in the coming years.
The success of the programme will depend on student participation, the quality of training and the ability of participants to apply the knowledge gained through the sessions.
For students, the courses could offer an opportunity to explore new academic interests, while teachers can use the training to strengthen their professional capabilities and improve classroom experiences.