Chennai R&D centre to drive Udemy’s growth in India: country head

San Francisco-based online learning platform Udemy is looking at accelerating growth in the India market, both in individual and enterprise user numbers, said Vinay Pradhan, country manager and senior director - India and South Asia at Udemy. Of its 70 million users globally, 15 million are in India.

In an interview to ET’s Saumya Bhattacharya, Pradhan said Udemy’s recently established research and development centre in Chennai will drive its growth by enhancing courses on its platform, leveraging local talent and helping to meet “specific needs of the Indian market.” Edited excerpts:

What are your business drivers in India? How has online learning evolved in the past few years?

We have a combination of individual and enterprise users. Companies are increasingly prioritising specific skills over college degrees when hiring, reflecting a shift towards practical, job-relevant competencies rather than purely academic qualifications. This trend underscores the growing importance of a practitioner-based approach in recruitment, where demonstrable skills are valued over traditional degrees.

The pandemic triggered a significant surge in e-learning consumption, as individuals and companies alike seized the opportunity to acquire new skills. With employees working remotely, companies provided access to e-learning platforms to keep their workforce engaged, driving substantial growth in the digital learning industry. Although this demand dipped post-pandemic as people returned to offices, the necessity of acquiring new skills for job market relevance has endured.

How do you plan to scale up?
In India, the sustained growth in skill acquisition has been particularly noteworthy. Despite a strong and growing economy, the job market has not expanded at the same pace, leading to heightened competition and a greater emphasis on skill differentiation.

Our commitment to India is evident in our recent investments, such as establishing an R&D centre in Chennai. This facility focuses on enhancing our platform offerings and leverages 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 pushing demand in the India market?
We are expanding beyond the traditional technology space because we are seeing an increased demand in areas like ESG. As regulations on sustainability tighten, companies are increasingly attuned to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. This trend spans various industries, including manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, beyond just the tech sector. Consequently, demand for ESG compliance solutions is rising.

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

How is GenAI changing the way learners acquire skills?
We are not just focusing on teaching generative AI skills to learners; we’re also using generative AI to enhance the learning experience, making it more impactful, personalised, and tailored. We are currently upgrading our platform, now called the Intelligent Skills Platform, to align with the shift towards skills-based organisations, moving away from degree-based evaluations to focusing on essential skills.

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

Moreover, we use generative AI to break down industry-required skills into specific competencies for various roles. This helps in creating customised learning paths that meet the precise needs of different industries. As a result, individuals can fit into job roles more effectively, and organisations 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.