1)Firstly, congratulations on your recent appointment as the CEO. You have been working with Jaro for the last few years. How have you seen Jaro’s performance evolve over the years that you have been with the company? And what is your outlook for the coming years?
Jaro has grown by leaps and bounds over last 14 years. Having started from one program, currently we are offering more than 15 programs for varied target segments; right from Bachelors to Doctorates from Top Indian Universities to Global partners.
Jaro Education is offering programs to all age groups from graduates, to mid-level, to managers, to CXO’s.
I believe that the, future of Jaro is very bright. We have been dealing majorly into Management programs over these years; and we’ve realised that the demand of techno-functional programs has raised over these years. We are getting into the market of techno-functional programs, as well as introducing programs from Top QS Ranked universities globally.
2) What are the key success factors of Jaro Education?
Jaro Education’s vision and strong focussed Leadership pool are the key success factors. In my opinion, it’s a process-driven organisation with high ethics and value system.
We, at Jaro Education, nurturing the talent of every employee, believe in strong and open communication with our employees. Keeping their health and family in our best interests, we encourage a calm and productive working atmosphere. At Jaro, each individual is allowed to perform and participate to the best of their abilities.
Through the integrity, respect, recognition, productivity, and discipline of its employees. Jaro Education has climbed multiple ladders of success.
3)How do you account for EdTech as a booming market? How do you think it will reshape the Indian Education Sector?
Due to the pandemic, adoption of online education saw a large scale surge from Kindergartens to K12, going up the ladder till professional and management education.
In the last two months, above 400 Ed-tech institutions were established. Almost all the institutions are now offering new apps to all age-groups of students! So, the more people embrace the new normal, the more choices the consumer has, the more investment it draws and it further becomes more profitable for the Ed-tech companies.
The sooner we go global and compete with the larger players in the industry, the better it is. Indian Edtech market is not exposed to global markets. Exposure being the primary factor, it also takes lot of effort, re-inventing the process, and self-improvement for any company to bring in the change which is required for global footprint.
4) What are the biggest bottlenecks in your view for the edu-preneurs in India to compete at global level?
One of the biggest bottlenecks for the Edu-preneurs in India has been creating an organisation. With that said, it needs to have a team that does the networking, brings innovative changes, and enhances productivity.
Another issue is finding out a way to monetize the organisation which is followed by similar start-ups. The longer gestation period remains a major concern, which has restricted the growth of the Edu-preneurs. Now, due to the pandemic, there are a lot of investors who are willing to invest in the Ed-tech sector, which will definitely lead to Indian Edu-preneurs having a chance to compete in the global market!
5) Over the years, Jaro has built collaborations with some of the big players in the higher education sector. How these tie-ups helped to sustain the frontier position you have in the industry?
Jaro Education has been associated with esteemed Universities including IMT Ghaziabad, IIM Trichy, IIM Nagpur, Welingkar Institute of Management, KPMG, American Business Management and Technology College (ABMTC) etc. With 2+ Lakh alumni working in some of the biggest corporations around the globe, we understand and place the interests of the professionals at the top of our list.
Similarly, the needs and demands of professionals keep changing according to the need and demand of the industry. It is very important for all EdTech, especially in executive education to be industry oriented.
Considering the industrial needs and the skill gap, we always aim to bring best of the courses from Top institutions to provide industry relevant education and lead in the market space.
I believe that’s the only mantra!
6) Being the pioneer in the executive education space in India, how do you see the impact of the pandemic playing out on remote learning arena?
Large scale acceptance for digital learning hadn’t been realized before COVID. During the pandemic, leading institutions to schools, and colleges, started delivering studies via online mediums this in turn captured the interest of the larger community.
This impacted the entire mindset of the people looking at online learning; resulting to positive acceptance in the market and this is a new normal.
7) What are your observations on the recent Union Budget?
Recent Union Budget offers opportunity to untapped segments. The govt. initiative of setting up a foundation for Innovation and R&D will ensure strong research ecosystem for our country. The budget also focuses on Inclusive Development for Aspirational India, which will strengthen the financial infrastructure.
The budget announcement highlighted the opening of 100 new Sainik school, 750 Eklavya model residential schools. New ‘10+2’ structure will be replaced with ‘5+3+3+4’ structure. It means that the students will be eligible for a 4-year multi-disciplinary bachelor’s degree in an undergraduate programme with multiple exit options, this is a great move! This gives the opportunity to pursue the dreams and interests along with the professional education.
8) How do you see NEP impacting the EdTech market?
The digital age in India, has led to a growth in the Edtech sector. The pandemic has left us with the only choice of digital learning. Tier-1 cities being the leaders, already have access to the quality online education. That’s where the expansion to Tier 2 & 3 cities begins and they hold the promise of the future as they are underpenetrated.
With the newly set up autonomous body of the Govt. “NETF”, enhanced learning, assessment, planning, and administration in India will be possible.
The technology and advancements offered by us can now fill the education and skill gap. Thanks to the NEP, it realises and focuses on the value of technology.
Jaro Education is thrilled to embrace the NEP . We’re sure that this will have truly, a positive impact on the education system of this country.
9) What are the specific challenges you are facing? How are you coping up with it?
Like every woman’s career growth, my journey has been no different. Something that differed for me was; these phases empowered me. I never really felt that I was coping up with anything.
I am of the opinion, that maintaining a balance is easy when you have a passion that drives you. Your ambitions should always win over challenges. This is the only mantra that kept me determined and motivated.
Besides, being in the right organization plays a major role in providing an equal and fair platform to women. I have had some of the best colleagues that helped me through every stage.
10) As a Woman Edu-preneur, what are your thoughts on ‘Women Empowerment via Education’?
I believe that education in our society would only accelerate when more women are given access to education. Women are the pillars of our society and not restricted to just an organization or home. At work, women at the top positions inspire the culture and the structure of the organization. I strongly believe that women are born empowered. When given a chance, with the right education, they can achieve anything they want!