The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is partnering with Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) and IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to develop a digital talent pool in India. This partnership, according to an official statement, was announced on October 6, as part of Vertiv’s efforts in furthering critical digital infrastructure transformation education and skills development in India. Vertiv is an American multinational provider of critical infrastructure and services for data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. As part of the initiative, over 2,000 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students will be trained with a 35-hour self-paced online program in data center operations and maintenance (O&M). From the initial pool of students, a select 160 students will get an opportunity to attend a five-day immersive program at the IIT Madras campus. These students will be recognised with a Certified Intelligent Data Centre-Operations and Maintenance (CIDC-O&M) five-day programme completion from IIT Madras, a certification widely recognised for data-driven, AI-powered data centers. The curriculum is designed to equip participants with industry-relevant skills, combining theoretical knowledge and hands-on training aligned with the growing demands of India’s digital economy. The programme's design and content aim to supplement and further the students' employability as they enter the job market. The statement further added that this programme comes at a time when India’s digital infrastructure is rapidly expanding, leading to a growing need for skilled professionals in O&M of the data center and critical digital infrastructure ecosystem. The training programme covers critical topics, including data center infrastructure, thermal and power management, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance strategies essential for maintaining uptime and operational efficiency in today’s always-on environments. Participants will also gain exposure to emerging technologies and best practices through industry case studies and practical demonstrations. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, a Section 8 company funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS).
