The edtech company upGrad has entered the Pacific region by opening the first-ever entirely offline medical institute in the Republic of Vanuatu with a USD 10 million initial investment. Three medical institutions will be built by the corporation in the area.
Vanuatu is in the epicentre of the educational revolution, which also makes it a business-ready geography for us, according to upGrad Co-Founder and Chairperson Ronnie Screwvala.
Vanuatu is a nation in Oceania made up of almost 80 islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
In addition to extending our South Pacific footprints, this move in Vanuatu, which is close to both Australia and New Zealand, will be a crucial component, according to Screwvala.
According to a statement from the company, upGrad’s Institute of Medical Sciences (UIMS), a wholly offline campus in Vanuatu, aspires to draw in and develop global talent with current clinical capabilities and produce the next generation of qualified medical professionals.
The company said UIMS is expected to invite enrolments from the second half of June this year. UIMS will also encourage talent mobility in the region.
According to Gaurav Kumar, Head of Corporate Development and M&A, upGrad, “this initiative is a part of our multi-campus strategy where we aim to set up at least 3 medical schools in the Pacific region along with a few more in select geographies.”
The move is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-point development programme for the Pacific Island countries, according to a release, and prioritises development in the areas of healthcare, renewable energy, and cyber-security.
