November 7, 2023

Indian and Australian education ministers visit UOW India campus site

Vice-Chancellor announces Global Women’s Fintech Collaboration including scholarships for students in GIFT City

University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson will today give the Indian and Australian Ministers of Education a first look at the site of the University’s future campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar. The campus site is currently under construction.

The Indian Minister of Education, The Hon Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and the Australian Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare MP, will take part in a ceremony at the site, lighting traditional diyas (lamps).

The light from a diya is considered auspicious, signifying the triumph of light over dark and representing enlightenment, prosperity, knowledge, and wisdom.

Professor Davidson will show Minister Pradhan and Minister Clare artists’ impressions of the building that will house the University of Wollongong India campus, along with a display of the floorplans for the campus, which will open to students next year.

“The University of Wollongong has been a trailblazer in taking Australian education to the world for decades and we are excited about forging even stronger ties with India through our International Branch Campus in GIFT City,” Professor Davidson said.

“While it’s hard to visualise now, this 20-storey building will be the home to the University of Wollongong India. We plan to commence operations in July 2024 and in the coming years we will be able to accommodate up to 1,000 students at this location.

“The campus will include state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and technology-enabled learning spaces, delivering a cutting-edge education experience to students. This campus will become part of our vibrant global network that already includes campuses in Dubai, Hong Kong and Malaysia.”

During the visit, Professor Davidson will announce UOW’s intention to create a Global Women’s Fintech Collaboration including a UOW Women Leaders in Fintech Scholarship Fund for Indian students studying at the UOW India campus. The Global Women’s Fintech Collaboration will focus on networking, mentoring and sponsorship opportunities across UOW’s global footprint.

“Starting when the campus opens next year, the program will support emerging women in FinTech to pursue courses at our new GIFT City International Branch Campus as well as leverage our global network and exceptional alumni,” Professor Davidson said.

“We are looking forward to launching the campaign to help find the best and brightest people to be part of our foundational cohort.”

Initially, the campus space will be a total of 1100 square metres with the capacity to expand as course offerings also expand.

When it opens, UOW India will offer a Graduate Certificate in Computing and Master of Computing (Data Analytics), followed by further undergraduate programs in 2025. 

Following the site tour, Minister Pradhan, Minister Clare and Professor Davidson will join other dignitaries and guests at Arambh (the beginning) … Australian university campuses in India, an event to celebrate education partnerships between Australia and India.