Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, commended the launch of Deakin University's branch campus in GIFT City, Gujarat, marking the first instance of a foreign university establishing a campus in India. Expressing pride, the High Commissioner stated, "I am delighted that Australia's Deakin University is the first to set up a campus in India. This marks the initiation of a new phase in education collaboration between Australia and India, and it's just the start". The campus will offer Master's programs in Business Analytics and Cybersecurity (Professional) starting from July this year.
Green stated, "Deakin University has made a significant impact in India over the past three decades, engaging in various aspects of higher education. This includes research collaborations with the Indian Institutes of Technology, establishing a joint center focused on nanotechnology and sustainability with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and implementing the Global Job Readiness program in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation to enhance the skills of young Indians. The campus represents the next phase in Deakin University's extensive investment strategy in India's future". In 2023, Australia hosted over 122,000 Indian students, equipping them with qualifications for international careers. The opening of Deakin University's campus in India now allows more Indian students to access an Australian education without leaving their home country, providing greater opportunities for Indian students. Australia looks forward to welcoming more Indian students through this initiative.
India aspires for significant economic and social progress, with a growing young population, and Australia is actively contributing to these goals. By 2047, one-fourth of the global workforce is projected to be from India, and Australia is enthusiastic and well-prepared to collaborate with India in fulfilling its role in the global workforce. The Australian High Commissioner emphasized that the inauguration of the campus reflects the strength of the Australian education system, India's forward-looking education policies, and the close and warm relations between the two nations. Looking ahead to 2024, there is anticipation for the opening of the second foreign branch campus in GIFT City by the University of Wollongong, also from Australia.
