NEXUS NEWS
Nexus Partners with TalentSprint to Support Lifelong Learners Globally
August 16, 2022
by Cj Pettus
By partnering with ed-tech company TalentSprint, Nexus is expanding global access to high-quality Michigan Engineering education.
Nexus at Michigan Engineering recently finalized a partnership with TalentSprint, a global ed-tech company that has a presence in both the U.S. and India. The two organizations share a common goal to offer high-quality education to lifelong learners. With this partnership, professionals abroad will now have access to Michigan Engineering courses.
In 2020, Nexus and TalentSprint initiated conversations about a potential partnership. TalentSprint Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Santanu Paul is a University of Michigan alumnus, and he wanted to connect TalentSprint’s learners with the world-class educational opportunities from his alma mater. His vision aligned closely with Nexus’ mission to support continuing education for professionals around the world.
Dr. Paul shared, “Now more than ever, globally, industries are facing a huge shortage of talent with new-age skills. The onus lies with leading educational institutes and serious edtech companies like us to collaborate and create relevant educational programs and learning opportunities. Our prestigious partnership with Nexus at University of Michigan Engineering is forward-looking and will aim to address these gaps through high-impact online education. We are committed to continue adding meaningful value to all our stakeholders across the globe and this alliance is an important milestone in our mission to bring best-in-class education and career opportunities to our learners.”
Although the pandemic slowed the work on the partnership, both sides were still fully committed to the prospect. TalentSprint was seeking technology-focused education that would progress the careers of professionals in the automotive industry. Nexus had recently launched two online certificate programs that focused on relevant topics: the Certificate in Current and Emerging Technologies and Foundations of Mobility. Both courses are fully online and comprise modules taught by leading researchers from Michigan Engineering.
TalentSprint and Nexus collaborated to design the perfect custom program for the professionals TalentSprints serves. From CCET, TalentSprint selected the Connected & Automated Vehicles and Hybrid & Electric Vehicles specializations. The two specializations allow learners to dive deep into the technology behind emerging trends. Because new technology can only be successfully launched if it’s integrated into society, TalentSprint sought a third module focused on the social and behavioral implications of new technologies. Nexus connected the team with UMTRI director Dr. Jim Sayer, who explained the focus of the Foundations of Mobility courses. With multiple modules focused on social issues, urban design, and more, the program was a great fit for the third specialization that TalentSprint wanted.
On Friday, July 22, 2022, TalentSprint representatives Dr. Paul, Abhilash Misra, and Debjani Mukherji traveled from India to Ann Arbor to meet with Nexus team members and to sign the official agreement. While in Ann Arbor, the team had the opportunity to tour some of the U-M North Campus, including the new Ford Robotics Building, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, and even Dr. Paul’s former stomping grounds in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building. The day was productive and set the tone for a bright future for the partnership.
After the trip, Mukherji, Vice President, Strategic Alliances at TalentSprint, said, “I am excited about our esteemed partnership with Nexus at Michigan Engineering. Partnerships like these play a pivotal role in developing the workforce with in-demand new-age skills thereby empowering the learners, who want to stay ahead of the curve in their professional journey. This association has enormous potential to offer learners across the globe with opportunities and resources that will help them fulfill their academic dreams. We are confident this partnership will be hugely successful and mutually rewarding.”
Nexus Director of Marketing, Business Development, & Professional Education Andrea Schuitman shared her enthusiasm as well. She said, “This partnership allows us to provide University of Michigan learning opportunities to even more people around the world. Our team at Nexus is proud to work with TalentSprint, and we are excited for the future of this partnership and the expansion of professional education globally.”
With the contract officially signed, the first cohort is tentatively scheduled to begin their program in 2023. Nexus looks forward to supporting lifelong learners globally and to continuing to work closely with TalentSprint.