TeamLease EdTech, India’s leading online learning and employability solution company, has recently announced the launch of Digivarsity, a tech-first platform that aims to integrate academic learning with real-world experience for higher education learners. According to an official statement, the platform aims to revolutionise higher education in India and empower students with the workplace skills and academic knowledge necessary for long-term career success.
Digivarsity has partnered with the country’s top 10 universities and over 150 leading employers to offer innovative work-linked degree programmes, bridging the gap between education and employment. It enables students to make informed choices about their education and gain practical work experience alongside their college studies. Digivarsity is a true manifestation of the vision of the future of Higher Education in India as envisaged by NEP2020, the statement further mentioned.
The company has also collaborated with several PSUs for furthering the cause and reach of these Work Integrated Degree Programmes; Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT-WR), CSC Academy, Assam Electronics Development Corporation (AMTRON), the government of Telangana, APSCHE (AP State Council of Higher Education) are some of the PSUs who have partnered with the company.
Speaking about the latest development, Founder & CEO of TeamLease EdTech, Shantanu Rooj, said:
Digivarsity is set to herald a transformational change in the higher education landscape in India. Over the next five years, we will invest Rs 100 crore to scale the platform and reach over 10 lakh students. We recognise that the skills employers demand today can be best acquired in situated learning environments in partnership with employers. The goal is to equip students with the skills the job market requires and shape the future workforce.
The launch of Digivarsity addresses critical challenges faced by employers and universities alike. Most employers complain that they have been unable to hire and retain skilled talent. On the other hand, Universities struggle to offer academic excellence and skill-building for their students leading them to become employable at the end of their curriculum. A partnership between the University and the Employer can bring the two worlds together and be a boon for the learner. Digivarsity catalyses change by enabling work-integrated degree programs, creating a talent supply chain for the future, and helping universities expand their reach and impact. The platform shall play an important role in improving India’s GER in the future. The programs on Digivarsity are unique as they embody three important attributes –
- Earning while Learning
- Learning by Doing
- Learning with Higher Signalling Value
Neeti Sharma, President & Co-founder of TeamLease EdTech, added:
Every student enrolling on the Work-Integrated Degree Programs of the partnering Universities shall be provided with an On-job internship/apprenticeship opportunity with an employer. The student shall graduate with real-world work experience and have a significant advantage over college freshers without experience. Moreover, every learner shall also get a monthly stipend to support their education and other costs, thus enabling the vision of ‘Earn while you Learn’.
The company aims to offer diverse educational programmes, including campus-based, distance learning, and online courses. The platform is set to expand further, with plans to onboard more universities and expects to reach 3,000 to 5,000 participating employers in the next two years.
In addition, employers have pledged Rs 25 crore in sponsorships for the current academic year for deserving and eligible students. These scholarships are awarded based on merit and are open to all students. Sponsorship amounts range from 10 to 100 per cent of the program fees, providing significant financial assistance to deserving learners.
Jaideep Kewalramani, COO and Head of Employability Business, TeamLease EdTech, commented:
At Digivarsity, we believe in leveraging technology to personalise education. Our AI-driven platform is designed to meet the specific needs of students and employers. We consider subjective and objective variables such as location, interests, academic background, and aptitude, providing a truly personalised experience. It matches higher education programs with relevant employer opportunities, ensuring students receive targeted guidance. Additionally, the platform utilises progressive Aptitude Tests, Visual Cues, and Digital Video CVs to enhance the candidate assessment process. This sets us apart from traditional education platforms.
TeamLease helps universities launch, run and manage their own Online/ODL Programs, improve the employability of their students through its apprenticeship programs and helps corporations build talent supply chains and improve employee productivity. Through its cloud-hosted, mobile-first, managed services platform, the company provides a wide range of services – enrollment, learning, upskilling, apprenticeships, student support and assessment – helping customers improve access and learning outcomes. The startup has exclusive partnerships with 40 of India’s largest Universities across 16 Indian states. It trains 5 Lakh students on its platform through 9 Indian languages, works with 5000 corporates in their upskilling/skilling initiatives and manages over 200 degree, diploma, and certificate programs.
