How UNIVO is democratising online higher education through technology

UNIVO Education, an online program management company, has been working as a strategic partner for top-tier education institutes and universities from India, the US, Australia, and the UK, offering services like program development and delivery, market development & growth, student success & support. It is also a leader in the market of student acquisition through digital and offline marketing.

In an interaction with Adgully, Abhishek Ajmera, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, UNIVO Education, talks about the how the company is making waves in the Edtech industry and about the marketing and partnership plan.

What makes UNIVO stand out in the market in terms of their unique offerings like certification, UG and PG programs?

UNIVO stands out from the rest due to its distinctive mission – which is democratising online higher education through technology to achieve positive outcomes. We are laser-focused on sustainability and enhancing learners’ employability prospects to bridge the learning gap in India and boost the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER).

Several key factors set UNIVO apart:

1. High-quality online education: UNIVO collaborates with renowned universities worldwide and industry experts to facilitate top-notch education that meets and exceeds accreditation standards.
2. Student Success: UNIVO is deeply committed to the success of its partner universities' students, offering comprehensive career services that span from job readiness to placement assistance.
3. Focus on Technology: UNIVO’s mission revolves around harnessing technology for positive outcomes and constantly pushes the boundaries of growth to improve learning results. A pioneering advancement in online higher education is the introduction of India's first AI Professor, powered by Chat-GPT-4 and OpenAI-driven technology, at one of our partner universities.
4. Learner-centric approach: Every effort and advancement at UNIVO is centered around the learners. A remarkable innovation that sets us apart from competitors is the implementation of Audiobooks, revolutionizing the online higher education landscape. This recent launch enables flexible learning on the go, addressing the needs of students with busy schedules.
5. Diverse Online Higher Education Programs: UNIVO’s partner universities offer an extensive range of 60+ programs for online higher education. These programs include specialised MBA programs like Digital Entrepreneurship & Data Science, as well as MCA in ML and AI learning, catering to a broad spectrum of learners’ interests and career goals.

Please tell us about UNIVO’s partnership with domestic and international universities.

UNIVO has established strategic partnerships with renowned universities, both Indian and international, to fulfill its mission of democratising online higher education in India. Our collaboration with AVENU Learning, a leading online program management company in the US, has expanded the horizons for Indian learners on the global stage. Notable international institutions such as South New Hampshire University and Saint Leo University from the US, as well as Victoria University from Australia, now offer online higher education programs through UNIVO.

Within India, our strong associations with esteemed institutions like Amity University Online, Kalasalingam Academy of Research & Education, and Sardar Patel University have played a pivotal role in driving our mission to success. Together, these partnerships have enabled UNIVO to provide a diverse and comprehensive range of online educational opportunities to learners, making quality higher education accessible to a broader audience in India.

How does UNIVO play a leading role in the upskilling market for learners?

UNIVO offers a range of upskilling courses, from short-term certificate programs to full-time degree programs, that cover a variety of subjects, including management, business, technology, and finance. It also offers programs and skill-building workshops to help elevate one’s professional profile and reach their maximum potential. UNIVO also offers personalised mentorship to all learners comprising the finest industry pioneers and subject matter experts.

The programs offered by UNIVO include conventionally in-demand programs and trending new-age programs. In-demand programs could include popular options like MBA (Master of Business Administration) while trending new-age programs might cover emerging fields such as AI (Artificial Intelligence).

Additionally, UNIVO provides career services that encompass job readiness and placement assistance. Job readiness services aim to enable learners to enhance their employability prospects through sessions on resume building, interview handling, expert opinions on trending topics, etc. Placement assistance focuses on helping learners secure suitable placements across 300+ hiring partners.

By combining these two aspects – programs and career services – UNIVO offers learners a holistic upskilling experience that begins with learning and culminates in placement support. This approach allows learners to acquire relevant skills and receive guidance throughout their upskilling journey, ultimately increasing their chances of successful career advancement.

How is UNIVO making waves in the Edtech sector?

UNIVO has evolved as one of the largest online higher education companies in India. The company has recorded 3x revenue growth in last 18 months, enabling over 50k learners to pursue online higher education. Strategic collaborations with top tier universities across the globe and expanding employee base of 1,000+ demonstrate its success in the edtech sector. With a sharp focus on unit economics, the company is well poised for positive EBITDA trajectory with further scale up in coming years.

Fuelling this momentum at UNIVO is a culture which thrives on positive and growth-oriented values of unity, collaborative thinking, and innovation. The team operates from two offices in India – at Noida and Bengaluru – and has grown by 5X in the last 18 months, touching over 1,000 employees. This intensification of hiring efforts reflects UNIVO’s commitment to scaling its operations and catering to the growing demands of its learner base.

It is worth noting that UNIVO’s hiring spree comes at a time when several prominent edtech companies have faced challenges and implemented cost-cutting measures, including layoffs, due to funding constraints. UNIVO’s ability to continue expanding its team sets it apart in the industry.

UNIVO’s significant growth, strategic collaborations, expanding employee base, and extensive program offerings demonstrate their success in the Edtech sector and their commitment to substantially impacting education and learners.

What is the growth expected in the edtech industry following the launch of 5G technology?

Internet penetration has been increasing rapidly over the years and has now become ubiquitous, thanks to advancements in technology. The widespread availability of high-speed internet and the proliferation of smartphones and other connected devices have led to an increase in the number of people who have access to the internet.

With the launch of 5G technology, the growth expected in the edtech industry is substantial. The higher speeds and lower latency of 5G will enable seamless streaming of high-quality educational content, making online learning more accessible and engaging for learners. This is particularly relevant in the post-pandemic era, where the shift towards remote learning has accelerated.

Additionally, the use of virtual and augmented reality in education is set to become more widespread with 5G, as these technologies require a high-speed internet connection to function properly. This will enable learners to experience immersive learning environments that are more engaging and interactive than traditional classroom-based teaching methods.

How is UNIVO enabling students to be job ready?

UNIVO places a strong emphasis on job readiness and provides comprehensive career services to ensure learners are well-prepared for the job market. The pivotal role of Student Success Managers at UNIVO is to assist learners in identifying suitable career paths based on their unique skill sets and goals.

UNIVO’s Career Services team goes above and beyond traditional education excellence by offering ongoing support and guidance for job readiness. The institution is committed to enhancing employability by providing extensive assistance to learners from partner universities, helping them become job-ready and connecting them with suitable job opportunities based on their skill sets.

Through various Career services, such as Effective Resume Building sessions, Interview Handling Skills workshops, and interactions with industry experts on current trends, UNIVO prepares its learners for their future careers.

In the pursuit of even greater employability, UNIVO empowers universities to offer placement assistance, which includes resume-building workshops, interview handling skills sessions, and placement drives. Learners gain access to a pool of over 3,000 job openings from 300+ hiring partners. UNIVO’s ultimate goal is to equip learners with the essential skills and resources needed to excel in the competitive job market.