Australia’s Education Strategy for India: Building a Collaborative Future

Education has long been recognized as a cornerstone for building strong international partnerships. In this spirit, Australia has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at fostering collaboration and mutual benefit in the education sector with India. 

Introduced during Minister Clare’s visit to India, the strategy is designed to build on the strong bilateral education relationship between the two nations. It aligns with the broader objective of deepening the education connection between Australia and India, recognizing the symbiotic nature of the partnership. Minister Clare emphasizes the significance of international education as a crucial national asset, underlining its bidirectional nature. During the visit, Minister Clare co-chaired the Australia India Education and Skills Council meeting, reinforcing the commitment to expanding its scope to include skills – a crucial facet of the bilateral relationship. The strategy acknowledges the transformative potential of India’s education reform agenda and envisions a prosperous future for both nations through collaboration between Australian and Indian education providers. Minister Clare also celebrated the establishment of foreign campuses of Deakin University and the University of Wollongong at GIFT City in Gujarat, marking a historic milestone in bilateral educational engagement. Additionally, the commitment of six Australian universities from the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) to deepen their engagement in India adds further momentum to this collaborative initiative.

Pillar 1: Delivering Mutual Benefits through Education

Objective 1: Strengthening Education Delivery

Australia envisions a collaborative effort in bolstering India’s education reform agenda. With India aiming to increase its tertiary gross enrollment ratio to 50% by 2035, there is a growing demand for tertiary qualifications. Australia, through its education providers, aims to supplement India’s domestic supply by offering high-quality transnational and online education. This is not just a transaction; it’s a partnership that benefits both nations. 

Summary of the key actions under Pillar 1.

The focus extends beyond meeting the demand; it’s about creating an enriching educational experience. Recognizing India’s prowess in information and communication technology, Australia aims to contribute by sharing its expertise in e-learning and online education.

Pillar 2: Strengthening Institutional Partnerships and Research Collaboration

Objective 2: Enhancing Innovative Partnerships

Australian education providers are keen on expanding opportunities following India’s regulations supporting foreign partnerships and branch campuses. The aim is not just to increase the number of partnerships but to innovate the partnership models. The partnerships already in place, as illustrated in Table 2, have seen a fivefold increase between 2007 and 2020.

Summary of the key actions under Pillar 2

Australian universities have forged over 450 formal partnerships with Indian higher education institutions, reflecting a robust engagement in the education sector. This collaboration has witnessed a fivefold increase between 2007 and 2020, showcasing the growing ties between Australian and Indian universities. The partnerships are diverse and take various forms, with Australian providers leveraging innovative delivery models, including online and blended learning. These models aim to bring substantial benefits to students, teachers, and institutions in both countries. Consortium models, which involve independent higher education providers, government agencies, industry partners, alongside universities, capitalize on the respective strengths of India and Australia. Noteworthy examples of such collaborations include Deakin University and the University of Wollongong, which have become the first two foreign universities globally to announce the establishment of campuses in India. This strategic expansion aligns with the Australia India Institute Compendium 2023, illustrating the depth and breadth of Australian university partnerships across various regions and urban centers in India.

Objective 3: Encouraging Research Partnerships

Research collaborations are integral to the strategy. Australia and India share research ties in various fields, with the top five areas outlined in Table 3. Initiatives such as the Australia India Water Centre showcase the potential of collaborative efforts in addressing critical challenges.

Australia has been actively supporting research through various programs, such as the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund and the Quad Advancing Innovation to Empower Nextgen Agriculture (AI-ENGAGE) initiative.

Pillar 3: Enhancing People-to-People Links, Mobility, and Employability

Objective 4: Supporting Mobility of Students, Researchers, and Academics

Mobility programs play a crucial role in fostering connections between students, researchers, and academics. The New Colombo Plan, Destination Australia Program, and Maitri Scholarships contribute significantly to student mobility between Australia and India. The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals (‘MATES’) scheme is set to address workforce pressures and enhance research workforces.

Summary of the key actions under Pillar 3

Monash University’s Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) initiative stands as a testament to the commitment to international study programs that foster meaningful cross-cultural experiences. Launched as a funded initiative, GIG takes Australian students to one of eight countries, including India, at the end of their first year of study. This unique program, supported through the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan, focuses on exploring the human impact on the environment, society, and technology. In the context of India, GIG involves collaboration with three Indian institutions, providing Australian students with valuable opportunities to learn from local academics, NGOs, and businesses. The program in Mumbai or Delhi encourages students to engage with local students and leaders to understand and address regional challenges. Activities include field visits to NGOs implementing community responses, workshops on sustainability and youth, consulate briefings on the role of students in Australia-India relations, and visits to cultural and historical sites. This immersive experience contributes significantly to the students’ academic and personal growth, fostering a global perspective and enhancing their understanding of diverse cultures. The GIG initiative exemplifies the positive impact of international collaboration in education.

Objective 5: Preparing Students for the Global Workforce

Collaborative education solutions are sought to address shared workforce challenges. Initiatives such as joint teaching and nursing degrees aim to increase the global pool of skilled graduates. Case studies like the partnership between Central Queensland University (CQU) and Infosys highlight efforts to make Australian education more accessible in India.

The partnership between Central Queensland University (CQU) and Infosys Limited, established in March 2023, marks a significant collaboration in the realm of education and upskilling. This Memorandum of Understanding outlines joint efforts in training, education, and upskilling, emphasizing the sharing of knowledge and resources. As part of this collaboration, CQU offers short course modules in economics, finance, and journalism through Infosys’ learning platforms, Springboard and Wingspan. Notably, these short course modules are accessible to all Indian nationals free of charge, contributing to making Australian education more widely available in India. Beyond short courses, the collaboration extends to delivering full-degree courses in areas such as allied and public health, addressing the demand for accredited qualifications. This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to education accessibility, aligning with the broader goal of fostering collaboration and understanding between Australia and India. Moreover, the partnership extends to upskilling Infosys’ corporate partners, ensuring that industry-relevant skills are disseminated effectively. This strategic collaboration serves as a model for the integration of educational institutions and industry partners to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and contribute to the advancement of education on a global scale.

Measuring Success

Success will be measured through key indicators, as outlined in Table 6. These indicators include institutional partnerships, joint research publications, foreign campuses in India, student experience and employability outcomes, government-to-government policy dialogues, recognition of qualifications, scholarship and mobility programs, alumni engagement, and Indian student enrolments.

Key Indicators for Measuring Success

How Australia’s Education Strategy for India benefit Education Sector; SH’s Overview

Australia’s Education Strategy for India is more than a roadmap; it’s a commitment to building a collaborative future. By focusing on mutual benefits, innovative partnerships, research collaborations, and people-to-people links, Australia and India are poised to create a dynamic educational landscape. As the strategy unfolds, success will be measured not just in numbers but in the enduring impact on students, researchers, academics, and the broader communities of both nations. The collaboration is an investment in the future—a future where education knows no boundaries.

This strategy is a testament to the belief that education can be a powerful catalyst for fostering international understanding, cooperation, and progress. As Australia and India embark on this educational journey together, the vision is clear: a future where the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences knows