Can you provide an overview of the organization you are representing and explain the basic concept of UNIVO?

UNIVO stands as one of the largest online higher education companies in India. Our pursuit revolves around democratizing online higher education and making it accessible to all prospective learners, regardless of their location or time constraints. The surge in demand for online higher education is palpable, with numerous prestigious domestic and international universities stepping into this arena, either independently or through collaborations. In response to the rapid expansion of the category, UNIVO directs its focus towards ensuring sustainable learning outcomes & enhanced employability prospects for learners at its partner universities. Our commitment extends to addressing the prevalent skill gap in India and collaborating with all stakeholders to positively influence the Gross Enrollment Ratio.

1.  What are some major initiatives that UNIVO has already taken in the field of online education, and what are its future plans and intentions?

UNIVO has harnessed its new age program delivery & development methods, technological expertise, and novel GTM approach to

launch several pioneering advancements in the online higher education space.

One of these recent initiatives is the introduction of India’s first AI Professor (Prof. Ami) for one of our partner universities. Prof Ami Is powered by Chat-GPT-4 and open AI-driven technology & has been meticulously designed to deliver a cutting-edge personalized learning encounter to each student, tailored to their strengths, areas for improvement, and preferred learning styles. This virtual professor offers various functionalities, including the delivery of recorded video lectures and the ability to address multiple academic and Learning Management System-related inquiries. Furthermore, it provides students with round-the-clock chat assistance.

Another noteworthy innovation introduced by UNIVO is the implementation of audiobooks. By facilitating learning on the go, this recent launch addresses the need for flexibility in students’ busy schedules.

UNIVO has also pioneered the concept of ‘Metaverse,’ becoming the first online higher education provider to establish a virtual space for open discussions and student interactions. This platform fosters engagement and collaboration among learners in an immersive digital environment.

How has the organization evolved since its inception, and what milestones has it achieved in terms of student enrollment, partnerships, or market presence

UNIVO has undergone significant development in recent years and now stands as one of the most prominent online higher education enterprises in India, experiencing an unparalleled expansion. Over the past 18 months, the company has achieved remarkable progress, providing access to online higher education for over 55,000 learners across 115+ countries, enrolled in 60+ online higher education programmes from top tier universities from India, US, UK & Australia.  By prioritizing sound unit economics, the company is focused for further expansion in the forthcoming years. The team operates from 2 offices in India, at Noida & Bengaluru & has grown by 5X in the last 18 months, touching around 1000 employees.

UNIVO board has entered a long – term partnership through a strategic and financial investment by US-based AVENU Learning, one of the largest emerging market edtech investors. The strategic partnership with AVENU will help UNIVO in expanding university relationships & introducing international degrees for Indian learners.

How does UNIVO position itself as a bigger brand than their key competitors? What unique features or advantages does UNIVO have in terms of its course offerings or learning experience?

UNIVO’s distinct advantage lies in its overarching mission: democratizing online higher education through technology to yield positive outcomes. With a steadfast focus on sustainable results and the augmentation of employability prospects, our endeavor aims to bridge the educational divide in India and amplify the Gross Enrollment Ratio.

Following key factors set UNIVO apart:

1. Uncompromising Quality of Online Education: Collaborating with esteemed universities and industry luminaries, UNIVO places a paramount emphasis on delivering online education of unparalleled quality, adhering to or surpassing accreditation standards.

2. Holistic Student Success: UNIVO is committed to fostering the success of students enrolled in our partner universities.

3. Innovation in Technology: A pioneering stride in the field of online higher education is the introduction of AI Professor, harnessing the prowess of Chat-GPT-4 and OpenAI technology. This innovation is an integral facet of one of our partner universities.

4. Learner-Centric Approach: An additional innovation that sets UNIVO apart is the implementation of Audiobooks, revolutionizing the landscape of online higher education. This new launch caters to the modern student’s need for flexibility, enabling learning on the move.

5. Diverse Array of Online Programs: UNIVO’s partner universities offer an expansive portfolio of 60+ programs for online higher education. Encompassing specialized MBA tracks such as Digital Entrepreneurship and Data Science, as well as cutting-edge courses like MCA in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, our offerings are both comprehensive and tailored.

In essence, UNIVO’s unique position in the field of online higher education is rooted in a commitment to quality, innovation, student success, and a diverse array of programs, all of which work collectively to enhance accessible of higher education and empower learners in India.

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome?

The journey of starting a higher education platform and establishing it as one of the prominent players in this thriving edtech industry has been quite challenging. While trying our best to address all the challenges, we have been devising solutions around following pain points.

• Accessible and Affordable Education: Establishing preference and increasing adoption of online higher education is critical to ensure accessibility to every learner. We have tried to maintain a balance here by leveraging technology & ensure the accessibility & affordability benefits enable inclusion of learners from our every corner of the country.

• Leveraging a brand while working with other brands: While offering white-label solutions to universities for driving online degree programs can be a strategic move, it brings to light the challenge of maintaining differentiation for the original university brand. When multiple institutions use similar technology stack, it becomes crucial to highlight the USPs and value adds that distinguish one university with the offerings of others. To address this challenge, we have ensured that the white-label solutions must be tailored to each partner university’s specific needs and branding.

When it comes to the company, what are you most proud of?

What makes me really proud is the strong energy that’s pushing our growth: our amazing team and the way we work together. UNIVO’s progress has been powered by a culture that focuses on working well together and coming up with new ideas. Our journey has been marked by forming a great team, which is clear as we grew 5 times bigger in the last year and a half. We now have over 1000 employees, and that number is still increasing as we continue to expand.

What are the game-changing decisions you took as a leader for your company?

I consider the most consequential choices I’ve made as a leader at UNIVO is to revolve around the advancement and welfare of our employees, coupled with a keen focus on data analytics. I staunchly believe that a contented workplace translates to a thriving business. To this end, we’ve implemented a range of initiatives encompassing professional growth avenues, scholarships for higher education for employees, and provisions for bolstering employees’ mental well – being. Concurrently, I have endeavored to foster a culture of empowerment and the courage to question established norms through astute data analysis and insights across all divisions, thereby positively influencing the organizational ethos of leadership.

What is the best advice you can give to our readers?

My advice to all your readers would be to practise or patronize the cause of online higher education. The field of higher education bears the responsibility of cultivating graduates prepared for the workforce, capable of seamless integration into employment.

The demographic of higher education learners encompass not only traditional college attendees but also working professionals, homemakers, individuals on sabbatical, and many others who aspire to augment their skills and pursue higher education.

Online learning has permeated every level of education, thus democratizing access to learning across geographical boundaries. India is on its way to becoming a global talent hub, where robust advocacy and widespread adoption of online higher education will play pivotal roles.