UNSW to Establish Campus in India Following Australia-India Education Meeting

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has received a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish a campus in India, a significant advancement in the educational collaboration between India and Australia. This announcement was made during the third Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) meeting held in New Delhi on October 23, 2023.

The meeting was co-chaired by Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Skill Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary, alongside Australian Education Minister Jason Clare, Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles, and Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill. The introduction of UNSW’s LOI adds to the existing momentum, with a total of seven Australian universities now authorized to operate eight campuses across India.

Expanding Educational Partnerships

Pradhan emphasized the meeting’s role in enhancing cooperation across all levels of education, from preschool to PhD programs. Key areas of focus include early childhood education, teacher training, and the integration of technology and sports within schools. Additionally, he highlighted the need to prepare students for emerging industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, advanced materials, medical technology (MedTech), energy, and sustainability.

Chaudhary pointed out that frameworks like the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications and skills-mapping mechanisms are creating functional mobility pathways, particularly in agriculture. He suggested that similar models could be adapted to new sectors, reflecting the growing ambition for collaboration.

Clare remarked on how the partnership is enhancing opportunities for students in both nations. Giles noted the increasing alignment between training needs, while Hill stated that the establishment of Australian campuses in India signifies the depth of the current educational engagement.

Research Initiatives and Collaborative Projects

The AIESC meeting also unveiled ten new India-Australia research projects under the SPARC initiative, focusing on AI, quantum technologies, biodiversity, MedTech, sustainability, and space. The total funding for these projects is approximately ₹ 9.84 crore.

Various Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Letters of Intent were exchanged during the meeting, covering diverse areas such as agritech innovation, marine sciences, disaster resilience, mining, and teacher professional development. Notable partnerships include those between James Cook University and the Odisha government, Deakin University with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and IIT Roorkee, and Western Sydney University with the Andhra Pradesh government.

Australia has invited Pradhan to attend the fourth AIESC meeting, with both countries agreeing on a more focused timeline for achieving the outlined objectives. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to strengthening educational ties, ultimately benefiting students and industries in both nations.