upGrad Expands Presence to Pacific Region with Medical Institute Launch in Vanuatu
- ByStartupStory | June 14, 2023
upGrad, an edtech company, has recently expanded its operations into the Pacific region by establishing the Republic of Vanuatu’s first offline medical institute. This venture involves an initial investment of $10 million and aims to establish three medical institutes in the area.
Ronnie Screwvala, the Co-founder and Chairperson of upGrad, highlighted Vanuatu’s position as a focal point for the educational revolution, making it a favorable geography for business opportunities.Vanuatu, an Oceania country, is a collection of approximately 80 islands located in the South Pacific Ocean.
“We have a strong presence in Australia, and this move in Vanuatu, which shares proximity with Australia and New Zealand, will be a critical piece in strengthening our South Pacific footprints,” Screwvala said.
According to a statement by upGrad, the Institute of Medical Sciences (UIMS) in Vanuatu is a fully offline campus that aims to attract and train global talent, equipping them with modern clinical competencies to become skilled medical practitioners. The company has announced that UIMS will start accepting enrolments from the second half of June this year.
“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,” upGrad’s Head of corporate development and M&As Gaurav Kumar said in a statement.
According to the statement, UIMS in Vanuatu will also promote talent mobility within the region. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-point development agenda for Pacific Island nations, which emphasizes healthcare, renewable energy, and cyber-security as key areas of focus for development.
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