EdTech leader and Asia’s largest higher education company, upGrad, has announced a giant step in offline higher education with the launch of its new brand ‘UGDX’, with the ‘X’ factor being the recently acquired Data Science, AI, ML-focused offline institute – INSOFE.
With an investment of $30 Million, UGDX will open 10 institutes in the next year; three in the US, of which the San Francisco unit goes live in January 2023, five in India across Delhi and Chennai to add to its existing facilities in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, and one each in Singapore and the Middle East.
With an investment of $30 Million, UGDX will open 10 institutes in the next year
UGDX is slated to reach operational break-even in five quarters from its launch. The plan is also to have faculty recruitments in various geographies and use technology to seamlessly integrate campuses, faculty, and corporates within one ecosystem. UGDX will specialise in AI, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, Connected Devices, IOT, Quantum Computing, Digital Management, Leadership courses, and the Cloud, and will offer Certificates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programmes in these areas.
“As part of our goal to be the world’s first and largest fully integrated Higher EdTech company spanning college learners and working professionals from the age of 18 to 60+ years, this is a natural extension as we move to a very scaled and blended offline and online model under our upGrad brand,” said Ronnie Screwvala Co-founder and Chairperson at upGrad.
“UGDX’s work-integrated education programme is unique and sets it apart from traditional universities”
“UGDX’s work-integrated education programme is unique and sets it apart from traditional universities. Our DNA will be industry-centric, and we are creating programmes that will prepare students to help corporates transform. Rich engagements with industry connections will also enable our learners with real-world experience from day one. All our programmes have at least twice the number of capstones and project work compared to traditional programmes,” said Dr Dakshinamurthy Kolluru, Founder and CEO, upGrad INSOFE, who will also be heading the UGDX. “Every UGDX will have an incubation unit, to invest in IPs and foster budding entrepreneurs to formulate ideas and build patents which will be developed and nurtured inside the institute itself,” he further clarified.
Dr Sridhar Pappu, President of UGDX said: “As a premier institution, the impact on our learners and society at large, is extremely important to us. Hence, the faculty at UGDX shall work with multiple colleges in the nearby areas, and design free faculty development programmes, bootcamps, and summer schools for socially and economically less-privileged students. We’re committed to creating digital transformation at all levels.”