iWorld
upGrad introduces online ‘Study Abroad’ program
KOLKATA: The Covid-19 pandemic played spoilsport with people’s plans to seek higher education at foreign universities. With the crisis showing no signs of abating soon, would-be-students are re-evaluating their priorities or are in quandary on how to fulfil their desire to “study abroad”. To overcome this challenge, edtech platform upGrad has unveiled a Study Abroad program to enable learners to experience on-campus learning with renowned international universities.
The idea of this initiative draws back from a recent survey conducted by the e-learning leader, wherein it was found that a lot of upGrad learners and alumni are still willing to travel and study abroad, to find employment in foreign regions. Responding to such emerging demands, but also keeping affordability in mind, as not everybody in such testing times is willing to make heavier financial commitments, upGrad has designed this unique model offering.
The program is designed carefully keeping in mind the online cost for one year, which is 1/10th of the offline expenses, thus offering dual benefits of being cost-effective, with an added advantage of mobility. Learners under this arrangement have a chance to study abroad and explore job opportunities in the respective region as per their choice in the coming future, at a cost significantly lesser than what they would have to pay for a fully on-campus foreign course.
With a target to achieve 50,000 learners by 2026, upGrad has already kicked off two such programs; the first being the pathway to Australian Universities where renowned Australian universities like the James Cook University, Brisbane Campus are participating, along with the second program, Master’s Degree in Data Science wherein learners will receive dual accreditation from IIIT Bangalore and the International University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
The newly introduced program is not only applicable for learners in India, but also geographies like the Middle East, southeast Asia, etc. It will also allow them to pursue the program in two parts: one-year online in India or from their respective countries, followed by an opportunity to complete their course on-campus abroad in the subsequent year/s.
upGrad India CEO Arjun Mohan said, “We have always aimed at providing quality transnational education to our learners who are currently residing across geographies. With the Covid-situation impacting international students’ mobility dramatically, we have now come up with a sustainable solution of the ‘Study Abroad’ program, where the learner spends this year studying online and moves abroad the next year to gain their global exposure or build a career there. With this one-of-a-kind program arrangement & Ankur’s joining us, we look forward to expanding the Bachelor’s market for studying abroad by making it affordable and relevant to the current market situation.”
He added that the higher learning platform is looking to close at least 20 university tie-ups as part of the initiative in the coming months.
Both programs are in-build with personalised mentorship from upGrad to offer a continuous handholding throughout the program modules and includes an end-to-end counselling/visa support to make the entire process and learning experience hassle-free for its learners. On the successful completion of the on-campus program in the second year, learners can also apply for a post-study-work visa in the destination country and build a career there.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
