Education's critical role in the Australia-India relationship took centre stage at a high-level forum hosted at the University of Melbourne’s Global Centre in Delhi yesterday. The event, led by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, brought together 50 education and government leaders from both countries to mark the fifth anniversary of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which has deepened collaboration in education, research, and innovation.
The gathering marked a milestone in bilateral cooperation, highlighting education, research, and innovation as key pillars of the relationship. Representing both countries were senior officials, academic leaders from institutions such as Amity University, Shoolini University, OP Jindal Global University, and Ashoka University, alongside partners from the Australian High Commission as well as the University’s Asia-focused institutes.
The forum also served as a celebration of the University of Melbourne’s expanding presence in India. The Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi, inaugurated in September 2024, is the University's first international physical hub and a symbol of its long-standing commitment to India’s education and innovation ecosystems.
Professor Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Director of the University of Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi, said: “For more than 16 years, we have cultivated partnerships that drive innovation and empower students, researchers, and institutions. Collaborating closely with our Indian counterparts, we are building capacity and nurturing the next generation of leaders equipped to solve the challenges of tomorrow.”
Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of the Association of Indian Universities, affirmed the value of collaboration: “The Australia-India education partnership is a shining example of how academic collaboration can drive innovation and societal progress. Through initiatives like joint research, student mobility, and institutional linkages, we are strengthening our higher education systems and fostering a generation of global citizenship”.
The forum highlighted the importance of educational and research partnerships as engines for growth under the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Major new policy frameworks, joint research, and academic exchanges are driving progress in skill development, technological innovation, and sustainable development.
The CSP, established in 2020, has already facilitated over 450 research collaborations between Australian and Indian institutions, with joint funding exceeding AUD $100 million.
The University of Melbourne's Australia India Institute has played a crucial role in strengthening bilateral research cooperation. Since 2021, the Institute has delivered numerous initiatives under the CSP, including the Australia India Research Cooperation Hub (ARCH-India), the Australia India Research Students (AIRS) Fellowships, and the Australia-India ‘Unnati’ Research Collaboration Grants.
As both countries continue to share a vision of an open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, the emphasis on education, culture, and people-to-people ties remains central to the strategic partnership. The collaborative framework encourages a dynamic exchange of knowledge, promoting research excellence and educational innovation.
The University of Melbourne is committed to supporting India's National Education Policy 2020 by developing innovative teaching programs and expanding access to education through joint research projects. The University's long-standing relationship with India, underpinned by mutual values and shared goals, heralds a promising future for educational growth and cooperation.
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