[Exclusive Interview] Find Out How This Edtech Startup Grew By 150% In Last Three Years Via Applied Experiential Learning

Recently we interacted with Mr. Rajesh Panda, Founder, Corporate Gurukul, and asked him about how his ed-tech startup is bringing in fresh ideas and concepts to empower professionals.

Here are the highlights from interview..

Could you tell us about Corporate Gurukul?

We are a leading ed-tech company based in Singapore, and our mission is to develop Asia’s youth through applied experiential learning. We started in 2007 and have grown at a CAGR of 150 percent in the last three years. In Southeast Asia, South Asia, India, and the Middle East, we have established a presence in 21 countries. In the fiscal year 2022, we plan to expand our presence. Offline teaching is the best option for both tutors and students, according to Corporate Gurukul. As a result, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, the company’s business came to a halt because it had no online offerings.

What types of learnings is the company putting in place to assist students?

We provide certified short-term online/on-campus internships as well as research interventions with top universities and corporate partners. For schools and universities, we use AI to help with research and innovation, as well as internships. Undergraduates can participate in academic internships in Data Analytics, Machine Learning, or Deep Learning. To provide our students with curated and powerful learning experiences, we seamlessly combine applied learning, research, and a project-based approach in a real-world setting.

What is the relationship between the gurukul system and modern globalised management training?

The gurukula system can be compared to modern globalised management training, particularly in terms of self-awareness and self-management. The entire gurukula system is based on self-awareness and the ability to manage one’s own life. The majority of managers believe they are self-aware, but this is not the case. Managers who are self-aware not only introspect and understand themselves clearly, but also make it a point to understand how others see them, which is a truly rare quality to possess. That is where the transformation journey begins. And when we are self-aware as managers, we are more likely to be confident, creative, and better at managing ourselves and others. We effectively manage people and work, make better decisions, strengthen relationships, and communicate clearly.

Has the New Education Policy 2020 benefited training providers like Corporate Gurukul?

Yes, we have For the past seven years, we’ve focused on artificial intelligence and design thinking research and internships. These are not only 21st-century skills, but they also align with the NEP 2020, which emphasises research, internships, artificial intelligence, and design thinking as critical areas for applied learning and skill development. 

Who are your trainers and training providers? Who is in charge of certifications?

We’ve collaborated  with two world-class universities: the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) (NTU). The universities provide the content, training, and certifications, and everything is focused on research interventions and academic internships. Our goal is to expose students to the industry as well. As a result, we’ve partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Amazon to provide hands-on industry experience, and both companies offer certifications for their respective programmes.

How is Corporate Gurukul utilising an interactive method to enhance education digitally?

We are currently focusing on live online and interactive learning with the best professors and industry experts in the world. The content, faculty, and experience of an ed-tech company are its differentiators. With our world-renowned partners – National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Hewlett Packard, and Amazon – we check all three boxes. We have a competitive advantage in the market because we focus on interactive experiential learning (on-campus experiences in Singapore).

What are the plans for expansion?

Corporate Gurukul is now looking to expand its market, which will entail entering the United States and other African countries. It’s also strengthening ties with Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as exploring similar collaborations with Cambridge and Oxford. Every year, about 2,000 students graduate from its various courses, with the goal of increasing this number to 5,000. Its own screening process, however, has been strengthened, and Rajesh claims that only one student out of every 35 applicants is chosen.