Zoho marks 20 years of Schools of Learning with two new campuses and a growing focus on future-ready skills

New campuses in Tamil Nadu reflect Zoho’s long-term investment in hands-on skills training and workforce readiness

Zoho, a global technology firm known for its suite of business software tools, has announced the expansion of its Zoho Schools of Learning (ZSL) programme in India, with new campuses set to open in Tharuvai and Kumbakonam, both located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

The move marks the 20th anniversary of the initiative, which was launched as an alternative to traditional college education.

The company introduced ZSL in 2005 with the aim of offering hands-on, skills-based training to young people. The programme began with six students and two teachers and has since trained more than 2,000 graduates, who now account for over 10 percent of Zoho’s workforce.

New campuses and broader reach

The new locations will add to ZSL’s existing campuses in Chennai and Tenkasi. The Tharuvai campus will house both the School of Technology and the School of Business, while Kumbakonam will launch with the School of Technology. Both campuses will start with an initial cohort of 15 to 20 students.

Each school provides a two-year training programme, including a one-year internship at Zoho. The programme is free of charge and includes a stipend, designed to reduce financial barriers for students.

Rajendran Dandapani, Director of Technology at Zoho and President of ZSL, said: “We started Zoho Schools of Learning with a belief: traditional college education was not preparing the students for the workforce. What began as a modest experiment with just a few students has now evolved into a sought-after alternative to college for students across the country.”

“We are seeing results of this effort, as our alumni contribute meaningfully in various roles at Zoho—from taking up leadership positions to getting involved in deep-tech R&D projects and leading product development.”

Skills-based learning and curriculum evolution

ZSL’s curriculum is regularly updated to reflect changing industry needs. The School of Technology now includes contemporary languages such as Go, Swift and Kotlin, and incorporates open-source tools, design thinking and user experience principles.

Alongside its core schools, ZSL also runs a parallel initiative called Marupadi, aimed at supporting women returning to work after career breaks. Since launching in 2022, the programme has trained 60 women in areas such as software development, software testing, and technical writing. Fifty of these graduates have been placed at Zoho.

In response to shifts in technology, ZSL is also adapting its approach to AI. “AI technology is advancing at such a fast pace that we can neither be proactive nor reactive,” said Dandapani. “Instead, we are focussing on developing critical skills such as learning to ask the right questions and assessing the quality and validity of the answers AI generates.”

Hybrid teaching and peer-led learning

The teaching approach at ZSL combines faculty-led lectures with group discussions and peer-supported learning. Students are encouraged to explore self-learning through a flipped classroom model. Exam-free assessment options are also available, and recent years have seen alumni return to provide one-on-one mentorship to current learners.

Reflecting on his experience, Kumaresan M., now a Member Technical Staff at Zoho Desk, said: “I grew up in a small town. As the son of a daily wage worker, supporting our family of three—my father, sister, and myself—was our primary concern. After graduating from the Government Higher Secondary School in Pullukattuvalasai, I enrolled in Zoho Schools in 2015, and that became a turning point for me.”

“During the training, I not only learned programming and logical thinking but also realised the immense possibilities that existed for me. What might have been a future in local jobs transformed into a career at Zoho Desk that has sustained me since 2016. Through the mentorship of teachers, managers, and colleagues, I have gained not just technical skills but also the confidence to reimagine my life. Today, I own a home, support my family financially, and fund my sister's education. Zoho Schools didn't just change my career trajectory; it gave me financial stability, a capacity for self-learning, and a belief that I could accomplish anything.”