In a world where the dynamics of education and employment continually evolve, the necessity for innovative approaches in higher education has never been more critical. At the 28th World Education Summit in Dubai, Sumesh Nair, Co-Founder of Board Infinity, shared insights into the pioneering strategies his organisation is implementing to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional success. With a focus predominantly on India, comprising 90% of its portfolio, Board Infinity’s mission is to closely collaborate with higher education institutions across Asia to enhance student career outcomes through unique upskilling methods.
Collaboration is key to Board Infinity’s strategy, as evidenced by their partnerships with about 25 NF 100 institutions in India and plans to extend their innovative educational model to the UAE. Creating an Intellectual Property (IP), their skill taxonomy marks a significant step forward. This framework maps out over 40 job roles, guiding the development of mini-modules and skill modules within curriculums to equip students for various professions. “We customise our approach based on the institution’s input, ensuring a tailored solution rather than a one-size-fits-all approach,” he emphasised, showcasing their flexible and adaptive educational model.
With a track record of assisting around 40,000 students across 30 cities in India and embarking on international collaborations, including with a European business school and a prestigious institution in Dubai, Board Infinity’s impact is wide-reaching and profound. Their role extends beyond traditional education, partnering with global tech platforms like Coursera for content production, thus broadening their educational influence.
Central to Board Infinity’s philosophy is creating personalised career pathways for students, aligning educational experiences with the realities of the job market. This focus addresses long-standing employment challenges and is particularly relevant in competitive job markets like the UAE. “Skills like development, data science, and business development are in high demand,” he noted, underscoring the importance of aligning educational offerings with market needs.
The comprehensive approach adopted by Board Infinity also includes deploying an enterprise-grade Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate training and career development. This digital tool integrates seamlessly with curriculums, offering students guidance on potential career paths and relevant skill development. Moreover, their venture into digital course production, with over 100 courses for Coursera, signifies a commitment to accessible and quality online education.
Exploring the frontiers of technology, Board Infinity is also delving into generative AI with a product named VERA, envisioned as an AI-powered career coach. This innovative tool offers personalised teaching and career planning, embodying the digital-first approach essential for engaging today’s digitally native students.
He encapsulated Board Infinity’s mission “Our work revolves around customising educational pathways, enhancing career outcomes, and leveraging technology to meet the evolving needs of students and the job market.” His presentation highlighted the transformative work Board Infinity is undertaking and sparked a broader conversation on the future of education and employment.
