IIT Madras and Vertiv Join Hands to Upskill 2,000 STEM Students in Data Centre Operations and Maintenance

In a move aimed at strengthening India’s digital infrastructure talent pool, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has partnered with Vertiv, a global leader in critical infrastructure and data center solutions, to train over 2,000 STEM students in data centre operations and maintenance (O&M). The initiative, implemented in collaboration with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), addresses the rising demand for skilled professionals in India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

Program Overview
The partnership introduces a comprehensive training program designed to equip students with both theoretical and practical knowledge in managing modern data centers. The initiative will begin with a 35-hour self-paced online program, accessible to over 2,000 STEM students across India. This online module focuses on developing a foundational understanding of data center operations, making it suitable for students who are early in their careers or pursuing internships.

From this initial pool, 160 high-performing students will be selected to attend a five-day immersive, on-campus program at IIT Madras, culminating in the award of the Certified Intelligent Data Centre-Operations and Maintenance (CIDC-O&M) certification. This credential is widely recognized for its focus on AI-powered, data-driven operations and reflects current industry standards.

Curriculum and Skill Development
The curriculum is carefully designed to combine academic learning with hands-on training, ensuring that participants acquire skills relevant to the needs of India’s digital economy. Key topics covered include:

• Data center infrastructure design and management – Understanding the layout and operational workflows of modern data centers.
• Thermal and power management – Learning techniques to optimize energy efficiency and maintain stable operational environments.
• Remote monitoring systems – Gaining proficiency in managing critical infrastructure from distributed locations.
• Predictive maintenance strategies – Using data analytics to anticipate potential system failures and reduce downtime.

In addition, the program exposes students to emerging technologies and industry best practices through practical demonstrations, case studies, and real-world applications. Participants will also learn how to integrate AI and digital tools into the operations of intelligent data centers, enhancing both performance and reliability.

Addressing Industry Demands
India’s digital ecosystem is growing at an unprecedented pace, driven by cloud computing, AI, and the rise of enterprise and government data requirements. As data centers become increasingly critical for the functioning of digital infrastructure, the demand for skilled operations and maintenance professionals has surged.

According to Vertiv, this program aims to bridge the skills gap in the sector by creating a workforce capable of handling complex data center operations, from energy and thermal management to predictive maintenance. By combining IIT Madras’s academic expertise with Vertiv’s industrial knowledge, the program ensures that graduates are job-ready and aligned with industry expectations.

Partnership and Support Framework
The initiative is implemented in partnership with the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, a Section 8 company funded by the DST under the NM-ICPS mission. This collaboration ensures a structured program that integrates national priorities in digital infrastructure development with academic rigor and industrial relevance.

Vertiv’s role extends beyond course design to include insights from real-world data center operations. Their global expertise in critical infrastructure solutions allows students to gain exposure to advanced operational technologies, data analytics, and AI-driven predictive tools. This combination of academic and industry inputs ensures that students receive practical, future-ready training rather than purely theoretical knowledge.

Enhancing Employability and Industry Readiness
One of the program’s primary goals is to enhance student employability. By participating in this course, students not only acquire specialized knowledge in data center operations but also gain hands-on experience that differentiates them in a competitive job market. The CIDC-O&M certification further validates their expertise, making them attractive candidates for careers in:

• Data center management
• Cloud operations
• IT infrastructure maintenance
• AI-integrated digital systems management

The five-day immersive module at IIT Madras allows students to apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios, giving them exposure to the challenges and workflows of real-world data centers.

Strategic Significance for India
This collaboration is timely, as India’s digital economy continues to expand at an accelerated pace. The government and private sectors are investing heavily in critical digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and AI integration. As a result, skilled professionals who can manage, maintain, and optimize data centers are in high demand.

By producing a trained workforce through structured programs like this, IIT Madras and Vertiv are contributing to India’s vision of a digitally empowered economy. The initiative also complements broader national objectives under the NM-ICPS framework, which emphasizes interdisciplinary skills and research-driven innovation.

Conclusion
The IIT Madras–Vertiv partnership represents a significant step toward bridging the digital skills gap in India’s STEM sector. By offering a combination of online learning, immersive hands-on training, and globally recognized certification, the program equips students to meet the growing demands of data-driven industries.