“We are not just working on building international branch campuses in India, even though that’s really important to us, but also the status that Australia has with the Indian government through innovative TNE models,” said Kennedy, while addressing the audience at the reception and networking dinner at The PIE Live India 2025.
“We are working on everything from dual degrees, education hubs, joint academies, and are doing really great things in building academic networks that will persist and support the continued development of our reputation in India.”
Since India eased central regulations on the establishment of international branch campuses, several Australian universities have already set up or are in the process of establishing their branches in the country.
We are working on everything from dual degrees, education hubs, joint academies, and are doing really great things in building academic networks that will persist and support the continued development of our reputation in India.
Monica Kennedy, Austrade South Asia
While Deakin University became the first international university to build a teaching campus in India, the University of Wollongong followed in its footsteps and began operations in the country.
Unlike Deakin and Wollongong, which have established themselves in the newly built central business district of GIFT City, Western Sydney University will be setting up a base in the North Indian city of Noida, most likely under UGC’s regulations on foreign higher educational institutions.
Elsewhere, Go8 university – University of Melbourne – launched a global centre in Delhi last year to encourage educational programs, cutting-edge research, and community engagement programs in India.
“Australia only has 43 universities, 90% of them in the leading universities in the world. Out of that 43, we have three in the top 20 and 9 in the top 100,” said Kennedy.
“We are trusted partners and have enduring relationships in India and our team in India is here to demonstrate that.”
Both countries are also working on research and creating “real impact”, said Kennedy, who highlighted the Australia-India Future Skills Initiative delivered by Austrade, which has funding worth $5.8 million.
“We are deeply committed to sustainable development goals, and the partnerships we’ve established in areas like food security, renewable energy, and sustainable cities are making a significant impact.”
The Australia-India FSI has led to major partnerships in recent years, from the Women’s Entrepreneurship Research Alliance between Deakin and Pune-based Symbiosis University to building a new educational program focused on finance and treasury between Macquarie Business School and India’s National Stock Exchange Academy.
Elsewhere, Australian tech company Q-Ctrl has partnered with the state government of Tamil Nadu to help with the quantum skilling of its engineering professionals.
“This is how Australia is signalling to India that we are here as close partners and good friends. While we may be geographically apart, our ambitions are aligned, and our strengths complement each other,” stated Kennedy.
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