Zoho Schools of Learning: A 20-Year Journey of Reimagining Education and Delivering Real-World Impact
Over the past two decades, Zoho has quietly transformed lives. Not only by building business tools but also by building futures. Through Zoho Schools of Learning (ZSL), the company has created a powerful, human-centric approach to education. It has helped thousands find careers, confidence, and clarity in their lives.
Now, as Zoho Schools celebrates its 20th anniversary, it takes another bold step. With the launch of new campuses in Tharuvai and Kumbakonam, ZSL expands its mission. The goal is simple: empower young minds through practical, real-world learning.
Rethinking the Path to Employment
Traditional education often fails to meet industry demands. Zoho understood this early. In 2005, the company launched ZSL as a quiet experiment. It began with only six students and two teachers. But from the start, the focus was clear—hands-on training, not theory.
Rather than ask students to adapt to rigid systems, ZSL adapted to them. It removed fees and added stipends. Students didn’t need degrees. They only needed curiosity and commitment. This accessibility opened doors to those who could not afford college.
Real Experience. Real Learning.
Every student at ZSL enters a two-year programme. The first year focuses on skill development. The second year places them directly inside Zoho. They work on real projects, not simulations. As a result, they learn how to solve actual problems.
Moreover, the programme constantly evolves. For instance, earlier students learned basic programming. Now, they explore AI, Go, Kotlin, and Swift. They work with open-source tools. They are taught to think across disciplines. In short, they are prepared for the world ahead, not the world behind.
Even more, Zoho places students into diverse roles. From R&D to design, from leadership to customer success, ZSL graduates find meaningful places within the company. Over 2,000 ZSL alumni now work at Zoho. They make up more than 10% of the global workforce.
Expansion with Purpose
With the launch of new campuses in Tharuvai and Kumbakonam, Zoho reaches deeper into Tamil Nadu. These new centres will start with 15-20 students each. Initially, Tharuvai will host the School of Technology and the School of Business. Kumbakonam will begin with the School of Technology.
Why Tier 2 towns? Because talent lives everywhere. Unfortunately, opportunities don’t. Zoho wants to change that. By going to where students are, not asking them to relocate, the company demonstrates true customer empathy. And that’s where the CX story begins.
Designing Experiences, Not Just Curriculum
CX is not just about serving external customers. It is also about internal ones—students, staff, mentors, and communities. Zoho understands this. That’s why it invests in experiential learning.
For example, ZSL classrooms don’t follow a strict lecture model. Instead, they encourage flipped learning. Students explore topics on their own or in groups. Teachers guide rather than instruct. This builds independence. At the same time, it fosters confidence.
Additionally, students can opt out of exams. They can choose project-based evaluations. This flexibility respects their individuality. It treats them like collaborators, not consumers. This is a hallmark of great CX.
Stories of Transformation
When you ask students what ZSL means to them, the answers reflect more than education. They speak of identity, agency, and hope.
Kumaresan M., now a Technical Staff Member at Zoho Desk, recalls his journey from a small town. “We struggled financially,” he shares. “I thought my future was limited. But ZSL taught me skills, gave me a stipend, and showed me what I could be. Today, I support my family and fund my sister’s education.”
Likewise, Nivetha Ganeshan, daughter of a weaver, thought she would never be able to afford higher education. “ZSL gave me more than skills,” she says. “It gave me the courage to step into the tech world with confidence.”
Then there’s Yogeshwara Pandian. He once considered taking up painting work on construction sites. But instead, he followed his passion for design. Today, he works as a Visual Designer at Zoho Payments. “ZSL didn’t just change my career,” he says. “It changed my thinking.”
These are not isolated cases. They are the result of a well-designed, consistent experience. ZSL meets its learners where they are. It builds journeys, not just careers.
Supporting Women Rejoining the Workforce
In 2022, Zoho launched the Marupadi programme. The goal was to help women who had left the workforce return. Many left due to personal responsibilities. Some due to health or other circumstances.
Marupadi offers courses in development, testing, and technical writing. So far, 60 women have graduated. Of these, 50 now work at Zoho. This initiative proves once again that CX thrives when inclusion is intentional.
Constant Innovation
In today’s world, change is constant. Zoho Schools embraces this. According to Rajendran Dandapani, Director of Technology at Zoho and President of ZSL, “AI is reshaping everything. So instead of reacting, we’re building students who ask the right questions. That skill will remain relevant, no matter what AI becomes.”
Thus, students don’t just learn tools. They learn how to think. How to question. How to validate information. These are CX-critical skills in the age of automation.
Alumni as Mentors
Over the years, alumni have returned to mentor current students. They offer one-on-one guidance. They support learners with both technical and life advice. This creates a self-sustaining ecosystem. Trust, empathy, and learning continue long after graduation.
Moreover, it shows that ZSL is not a transaction. It’s a long-term relationship. And in CX, in fact, that matters more than anything else.
Looking Ahead
As the campuses grow, so will the impact. Yet Zoho’s vision remains grounded. It believes in potential, not pedigree. Plus, it believes that learning must evolve with life. It believes that opportunities must not depend on privilege.
Most importantly, it believes that customer experience begins with respect. Respect for time. Respect for talent. Above all, espect for individuality.
That’s what Zoho Schools of Learning delivers—an education experience that listens, adapts, and transforms.
