Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Monash University, Australia, in a move to enhance collaboration in railway engineering research, education, and executive training. The partnership, established through Monash University's Institute of Railway Technology (IRT), aims to advance technological innovations in railway systems and support both countries' development in the transportation sector.
The MoU was signed by Professor Craig Jeffrey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor-International and Senior Vice-President at Monash University, and Professor Manoj Choudhary, Vice-Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, in New Delhi. The event was hosted by Dr. Monica Kennedy, Minister Commercial and Head of Austrade South Asia, at the Australian High Commission.
Key highlights of the agreement include the potential establishment of a joint research laboratory focusing on advanced railway engineering technologies, collaborative work on industrial projects, and the development of joint educational programs. The MoU aims to create mutual benefits for both institutions while enhancing railway infrastructure and technology in India and Australia.
During the event, Professor Craig Jeffrey expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “I am delighted for Monash University to partner with GSV, India’s first university dedicated to the transportation and logistics sectors. Monash IRT is continuously developing new technologies that boost productivity and safety while minimizing risks and costs. Our solutions have been adopted by railway systems worldwide, and this new partnership is a further expansion of Monash’s engagement with India”.
Professor Manoj Choudhary also underscored the significance of the partnership, noting, “GSV is an industry-driven, innovation-led university with a critical mandate to support national development in transportation and logistics. Railways are the backbone of India's transportation sector, and with technological advancements, this sector is undergoing a transformative journey towards Viksit Bharat. Our collaboration with Monash University, a research-intensive institution with global impact, will support this transformation”.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 2022, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, based in Vadodara, Gujarat, is the first Indian university dedicated to the transportation and logistics sectors. Sponsored by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, the university aims to develop top-tier talent for these industries, supporting national initiatives like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and IT, serves as the university's first Chancellor.
The collaboration between GSV and Monash University is expected to significantly advance research, technological development, and education in railway engineering. This partnership aligns with GSV’s goal of offering industry-relevant programs designed in collaboration with experts to ensure that students gain practical, cutting-edge knowledge.
Senior officials from Monash University, the Ministry of Railways, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Austrade, Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL), and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation attended the event, marking a new chapter in Indo-Australian cooperation in the field of railway engineering.
