The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with Vertiv, a US-based multinational known for providing infrastructure and services for data centres, and IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to develop a skilled digital workforce in India. The collaboration, announced on October 6, aims to upskill engineering students and professionals in data centre operations and maintenance, an area witnessing growing demand due to the rapid digital expansion across industries.
I am writing about this because this partnership reflects an important shift in India’s education and technology landscape. As more organisations move towards cloud computing, AI, and digital transformation, the need for trained professionals in data infrastructure management has become crucial. This collaboration bridges academia and industry, ensuring that students not only learn theoretical concepts but also gain hands-on exposure to technologies shaping the future. For India to become a global leader in digital infrastructure, initiatives like these are essential in creating a workforce ready for next-generation challenges.
Building a digital talent pool for the future
The partnership between IIT Madras and Vertiv focuses on building a sustainable and industry-relevant talent pipeline for the fast-growing data centre ecosystem in India. Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, will work closely with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation to design and deliver training modules covering various aspects of data centre operations, maintenance, and management.
This initiative will help students develop practical skills in:
- Thermal and power management systems for data centres
- Critical infrastructure maintenance and reliability
- Automation and monitoring technologies
- Energy-efficient design and sustainability practices
- Safety and risk management in data environments
The course modules will combine classroom instruction, virtual training, and hands-on experience using real-world case studies and equipment.
Why data centre skills matter today
India’s data centre industry is expanding at a record pace. According to recent reports, the country’s data centre capacity is expected to double by 2026, driven by rising data consumption, cloud adoption, and government-led digitalisation projects. With new investments from global tech firms and local enterprises, the sector requires tens of thousands of skilled professionals who understand both the technical and operational aspects of running these facilities.
However, one of the major challenges has been the shortage of trained manpower. While engineering and IT education in India produces millions of graduates, few are trained specifically for data centre management — a multidisciplinary field that blends electrical, mechanical, and IT expertise. This collaboration aims to fill that gap and make India self-reliant in one of the most critical segments of the digital economy.
The role of IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation
The IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, an innovation hub set up under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), will play a central role in implementing this programme. The foundation will facilitate training workshops, research collaborations, and curriculum design in consultation with Vertiv’s experts.
By integrating real-world industry challenges into academic learning, Pravartak will ensure that students gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies such as:
- Data centre design and simulation tools
- AI and IoT in predictive maintenance
- Energy management systems
- Cloud infrastructure integration
This collaboration is a continuation of IIT Madras’s broader vision to make engineering education more practical, multidisciplinary, and industry-linked.
Vertiv’s perspective on the partnership
Vertiv has long been associated with innovations in critical digital infrastructure, serving sectors like telecommunications, finance, and industrial automation. The company’s leadership in power and thermal management solutions makes it an ideal partner for IIT Madras in developing future-ready talent.
A spokesperson for Vertiv said that the initiative is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to “furthering critical digital infrastructure transformation education and skills development in India.” The collaboration also aligns with Vertiv’s mission to contribute to global sustainability by training engineers to manage energy-efficient and resilient data ecosystems.
Through this partnership, Vertiv plans to conduct guest lectures, technical workshops, and internship opportunities for students pursuing courses in electrical engineering, computer science, and information technology.
Bridging academia and industry
This partnership represents a growing trend where academic institutions are collaborating directly with global industry leaders to ensure that education stays relevant to market needs. IIT Madras has been at the forefront of such initiatives, collaborating with companies like Google, IBM, and Larsen & Toubro in recent years.
For Vertiv, working with IIT Madras provides access to some of India’s brightest minds and a chance to influence how future engineers understand digital infrastructure challenges. For students, it means learning from professionals who manage large-scale data centres across the world.
By integrating academic research with industry practice, the partnership also opens up opportunities for innovation in areas such as:
- Green data centres and sustainable cooling technologies
- AI-driven predictive maintenance
- Resilient infrastructure for 5G networks
- Data security and automation systems
India’s growing need for skilled data professionals
The demand for data centre specialists is expected to rise exponentially as India becomes a major hub for cloud services, digital payments, and AI-driven applications. A recent NASSCOM report estimated that India will need over 2 lakh professionals trained in digital infrastructure by 2028.
Vocational training and university-level courses often fail to cover this niche area, leaving a significant skills gap. Programmes like the IIT Madras–Vertiv collaboration are crucial in bridging this divide by introducing structured, high-quality, and industry-endorsed education.
Moreover, the partnership contributes to the Government of India’s “Digital India” and “Skill India” missions, which aim to create a digitally skilled and globally competitive workforce.
