Udemy: Chennai R&D centre to boost Udemy’s growth in India, says country manager

San Francisco-based online learning platform Udemy is seeking to accelerate growth in the India market, both in terms of the number of individual and business users, he said. Vinay PradhanCountry Manager and Senior Director for India and South Asia at Udemy. Of its 70 million users worldwide, 15 million are in India.

In an interview with ET’s Saumya Bhattacharya, Pradhan said that Udemy’s newly established research and development center in Chennai It will boost its growth by improving courses on its platform, leveraging local talent and helping meet the “specific needs of the Indian market.” Edited excerpts:

What are the drivers of your business in India? How has online learning evolved in recent years?
We have a mix of individual and business users. Companies are increasingly prioritising specific skills over university degrees when recruiting staff, reflecting a shift towards practical, job-relevant competencies rather than purely academic qualifications. This trend underlines the growing importance of a practice-based approach to recruitment, where demonstrable skills are valued over traditional qualifications.

The pandemic triggered a significant increase in e-learning consumption as individuals and businesses alike seized the opportunity to acquire new skills. As employees worked remotely, businesses provided access to e-learning platforms to keep their workforce engaged, driving substantial growth in the digital learning industry. While this demand declined post-pandemic as people returned to offices, the need to acquire new skills to be relevant in the job market has endured.

How do you plan to scale up?

In India, the sustained growth in skills acquisition has been particularly notable. Despite a strong and growing economy, the labour market has not expanded at the same pace, leading to increased competition and a greater emphasis on skills differentiation.

Our commitment to India is evident in our recent investments, such as the establishment of a research and development center in Chennai. This facility is focused on enhancing our platform offering and leveraging local talent in software engineering and data analytics, reinforcing our strategy to meet the specific needs of the Indian market.

What are the key areas driving demand in the Indian market?
We are expanding beyond the traditional technology space because we are seeing increased demand in areas such as ESG. As sustainability regulations tighten, companies are increasingly paying attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. This trend spans several industries, including manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, beyond the technology sector. Consequently, the demand for ESG Compliance solutions are on the rise.

From an Indian perspective, we are not only investing in our R&D centre but also striving to work more closely with Indian businesses to understand and support their specific needs. This approach ensures that our efforts are tailored to India’s unique requirements, fostering a more sustainable and compliant business environment.

How is GenAI changing the way students acquire skills?
We don’t just focus on teaching learners generative AI skills; we also use generative AI to enhance the learning experience, making it more impactful, personalized, and tailored. We are currently updating our platform, now called the Intelligent Skills Platform, to align with the shift towards skills-based organizations, moving away from degree-based assessments to focus on essential skills.

Generative AI plays a crucial role in this transition. For example, we have integrated a generative AI-based learning assistant to offer real-time guidance, thereby addressing the problem of learners feeling neglected in e-learning environments. This assistant acts as a companion, advising on the best ways to learn and recommending resources tailored to individual needs and time constraints.

Furthermore, we use generative AI to break down industry-required skills into specific competencies for various roles. This helps create personalized learning paths that meet the precise needs of different industries. As a result, people can fit into job roles more effectively and organizations can reduce the time and cost associated with training and onboarding new employees. Generative AI, therefore, is a significant investment that helps bridge the gap between available job opportunities and qualified candidates.