 Dear learners, I Dr. Prasanchit Das, from KK Hendrick State Open University, welcome you to the MOOC on Professional Writing in English. Learners, as you know, English has gained the status of a global language which is increasing use in all arenas of professional engagements. This course aims at equipping you with the required knowledge and skill for using English as a medium of communication for diverse professional purposes. Accordingly, the course has been designed to teach you some of the basics of English in professional writing, the different means of professional writing and the important skills and types of professional writing. Professional writing refers to a form of writing or drafting meant to be used for professional communication in a variety of professional, technical and occupational fields. Therefore, for performing professional writing, one needs to acquire the skills of a professional writer whose primary task is to convey information to another person or party as clearly and effectively as possible. As the information to be conveyed may be too complex in a professional setting, the primary task of the professional writer is to analyze the information and present it in a format that is easy to read and understand on the part of the targeted readers or receiver. However, the job of a professional writer may differ depending on the industry and company where they are employed in. They may work with a variety of team members functioning as the mediators between the more technical stuff and less technical readers. They will have to work closely with these teams to develop a communication strategy. Thus, their responsibilities often extend beyond just writing. Hence, if you want to become a good professional writer, you must acquire a strong writing and communication skill. While conveying this intended information through words as a professional writer must, you must be proficient with the English language itself. While commonly associated with the work environment in a 21st century technology-dominated world, professional writing covers a wide range of genres and means of communication. For example, press releases, emails, briefs, memos, business proposals, data sets, product descriptions and specifications, white papers and job applications are but a few examples of documents that are often considered part of professional writing. The course called professional writing in English at certificate level is designed to improve the use of English among the learners who enroll in this program. As communication continues to be the most sought-after skill in the professional workplace, improving your skills while writing complex documents is important. You must learn many skills that employers find desirable, which may help you to secure a job in publishing, marketing, management etc. Some of the skills include the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to edit, review and design professional documents, to analyze, interpret and present data, to present information clearly and creatively and to understand how people use writing to teach, delight and persuade. The MOOC course on professional writing in English, shall help you to explore exactly what a writer in the professional setting does and what they will need to do to become a good professional writer. The course is divided into four modules and the duration of this course is three months. This course is meant for any learner who wants to join a company or any profession where English is mandatory. Thus, the main objectives of this course are to train the learners on the basic principles of the English language, to enable the learners to use English in different academic and professional contexts, to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, to improve the proficiency of the learners in oral and written communication. The learning outcome of this course shall be to develop the ability to use English effectively in their personal as well as professional life, to bring in clarity in the use of English where there is a need to use English language professionally, to help the learners to develop skills and vocabulary, to discuss the broad range of technical and professional issues with colleagues and clients in the business environment. I welcome you to this course and wish you all the very best, thank you.