Byju’s is the most prominent digital learning platform, buying professional training and higher education platform Great Learning for $600 million, accelerating an acquisition spree to expand globally. The cash-and-stock purchase marks an entry to the higher education segment for Byju’s, the company said Monday in a statement. The sellers of Singapore-based Great Learning will receive certain payments based on its future performance, and Byju’s will set aside a further $400 million to boost the unit’s growth.

“The acquisition marks BYJU’S strong push into the professional upskilling and life-long learning space globally with a total commitment of $1 billion, expanding its offerings beyond the K12 and test prep segments and further accelerating the company’s growth plans,” the edtech major said.

India’s most valuable startup plans to combine its technology with Great Learning’s professional courses in design and cloud computing. The coronavirus pandemic has boosted the popularity of online education as students and professionals seeking to upgrade their skills while schools and offices have shuttered.