March 2, 2023

UOW VC joins the Hon Jason Clare on a Ministerial visit to India

The trip will further strengthen relationships with India and boost opportunities for the Australian higher education sector

This week, University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson and Global Ambassador and cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist AM join Australian Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP on an official visit to India to promote institutional partnerships in higher education and boost collaboration between the two countries.

UOW has a longstanding and strong relationship with India through the University’s alumni network and partnerships with higher education, government, industry and research organisations.

UOW’s current research collaborations extend to close to 30 Indian universities in the areas of 3D bioprinting, water security, advanced medicine solutions, multi-functional materials, molecular and life sciences, software development, railway engineering, and mining technologies

“I am delighted to join Minister Clare on this significant trip that will further strengthen relations between our countries,” Professor Davidson said.

“UOW has strong links to India and with the people of India through our alumni network and research collaborations.

“This year, Indian students make up UOW’s largest international cohort, representing nearly a quarter of our total international student enrolment, and we now have more than 8300 Indian alumni.

“India has one of the youngest populations in the world, with more than 50 per cent of the total population aged below 25 years of age. Every week in India around 1 million people turn 18. With such a young population there is a need and demand from India to educate and develop skills that will support India’s future and help grow the Indian economy.

“We look forward to supporting India’s ambitions through our world-class teaching and learning environment and developing the skills of young Indians.”

Today, Hon'ble Education Minister Shri @dpradhanbjp along with senior officials from @EduMinOfIndia, Govt. of India welcomed H.E. Australian Minister of Education Mr. @JasonClareMP and Mr. @gilly381, Global Brand Ambassador for @UOW in New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/YnihMnYRiY

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) March 1, 2023

In July 2022, the University announced its intention to set up a teaching base in Gujarat’s GIFT City, a first- -of-its-kind teaching base for a foreign university in India.

UOW is on track to be one of the first Australian universities to have a teaching base in Gujarat later this year, subject to the Indian regulations, and plans to offer courses in IT, STEM, business and FinTech.

During this week’s visit, Minister Clare and the Indian Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will sign the Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications which locks in the rules for mutual recognition to access education in both our countries.