Google backs Polaris cloud & big data course in India

Google has partnered with Polaris School of Technology to launch a computer science programme in India built around Google-certified cloud and big data learning pathways. It is among the first programmes of its kind in the country.

The collaboration will be integrated into Polaris's four-year computer science course in Bengaluru. It adds a Google-certified specialisation in Cloud & Big Data and brings Google Cloud tools, Gemini access and certification pathways into the teaching model.

Google engineers and partner faculty will teach parts of the course through dedicated academic modules and semester-long projects, according to Polaris. Students will also work on cloud infrastructure and data environments similar to those used by large technology companies.

The arrangement reflects a wider push by technology companies and education providers to reshape computing courses around cloud systems, artificial intelligence and practical software development. Employers have increasingly sought graduates with experience beyond traditional classroom theory, particularly in distributed systems and modern developer tools.

Students will receive Google certification pathways valued at up to INR 10 lakh under the programme. Selected student founders and projects may also receive Google Cloud credits worth up to INR 25 lakh, Polaris said.

The curriculum was developed with Google-aligned academic and industry input, the school said. Its stated aim is to narrow the gap between conventional computer science education and the software and cloud systems used in modern workplaces.

Mukul Rustagi, Chief Executive Officer of Polaris School of Technology, said the partnership is intended to expose students to the technical environments shaping global software development.

"The gap between computer science education and the realities of modern software has become too large to ignore. This collaboration is about bringing students closer to the systems, tools and standards that define global technology today. We want students to graduate not just with theoretical knowledge, but with meaningful exposure to the environments where the world's most important technology is actually built," Rustagi said.

Curriculum shift

The move adds to a broader trend in India's higher education market, where specialist institutions and private education groups are trying to differentiate themselves through industry-linked courses. Cloud computing, data engineering and AI have become central to that effort as employers demand familiarity with current development practices.

For Polaris, the partnership also strengthens its push to position itself as a practice-led alternative to traditional engineering degrees. The Bengaluru-based institution says its academic model centres on hands-on learning, open-source work and industry-linked projects.

Students at the school have previously secured places in international coding programmes including Google Summer of Code and Summer of Bitcoin, according to the institution. It added that those students have contributed to widely used software ecosystems.

Polaris was founded by Mukul Rustagi and Bhaswat Agarwal, who also founded the education technology company Classplus. The school offers specialist tracks including Applied AI, Product Management & Engineering, and Cloud & Big Data Engineering.

Google's role

Google's contribution extends beyond branding or certification. Its engineers are expected to teach specific parts of the programme, while students will use Google's software tools as part of their studies.

That direct involvement is notable in a market where many academic partnerships with technology providers focus mainly on online content or test preparation. Here, the school says the teaching model will include semester-long projects and structured modules linked to Google's technology stack.

Navisha Prabhakar, Regional Lead for Google for Education, South & West India, said the partnership reflected Polaris's willingness to rethink conventional models.

"At Polaris, we saw a leadership team willing to rethink traditional education and create meaningful outcomes for students through technology, collaboration and practical learning. The ambition and commitment to transformation made this partnership a natural fit with Google's vision for the future of education," Prabhakar said.

The announcement underscores how major technology companies are seeking a deeper role in shaping technical education, particularly in fast-growing markets such as India, where demand for software talent remains strong and institutions face pressure to align courses more closely with industry practice.