The novel initiative by the EdTech company seeks to propel data literacy among future Indians students by offering a comprehensive program in data analytics learning

Indian EdTech company, SmartBridge, announced a project-based learning initiative in collaboration with IBM Global University Programs. The unique initiative seeks to upskill thousands of Indian students in emerging technologies.

The initiative includes access to IBM academic initiative, which provides no-charge e-learning courses, digital skill badges and software tools. Students will be provided with instructor-led online boot camps, expert mentoring and access to the SmartInternz platform for project development.

According to a McKinsey report, India is estimated to have 650-700 million smartphones as the number of internet users will cross 800 million by 2023. Concurrently, the country’s digital economy has the potential to create 60-65 million jobs by 2025. The report also finds that India’s digital surge is well underway on the consumer side, even as its businesses show uneven adoption. It is critical, then, that India’s digital leap matches with growth in data literacy, ensuring that millions of users are not left vulnerable.

As data literacy is becoming one of the biggest priorities in the country, SmartBridge, with a proven track record of over five years in upskilling the next-gen talent pool, collaborates with IBM to an initiative that intends to provide data analytics abilities to MBA / BBA / MCA / BCA / Mpharma / Bpharma / MSc / BSc. / Bcom / Mtech / Btech / BE students. The program offers them six technology tracks to learn and build projects:

●         Applied Data Science

●         Artificial Intelligence

●         Marketing Analytics

●         HR Analytics

●         Finance Analytics

●         Pharma Analytics

“Data-driven decision making has become an essential part of people’s lives in today’s society. Data analytics abilities are required for all jobs, regardless of their type. This build-a-thon assists young graduates in acquiring these skills and understanding the advantages via actual implementation. SmartInternz project-based learning is an outcome-driven method to achieving the goals of this build-a-thon” said Amarender Katkam, Founder & CEO, SmartBridge Educational Services Private Limited.

 “IBM is pleased to partner with SmartBridge to offer a skills-oriented training program based on IBM Academic Initiative, to empower students from various backgrounds with IT skills that are required to excel in today’s high-demand market. Covering latest industry practices, the learning tracks will focus on technologies such as Cloud, analytics and  Data Science.” said Mona Bharadwaj, University Relations Leader, IBM India.

With an aim to build practical and analytical data skills in students, the program will include monthly cohorts starting in October 2021 and ending in March 2022, where each cohort will receive hands-on training and expert mentoring for project development.

Working with data is a highly sought-after professional skill and an increasingly valuable tool for individuals globally. By encouraging and fostering further learning in data analytics through this innovative initiative, students from all over the country now have an opportunity to enroll free of charge and upskill themselves in the subject.