Dr Kiran Trivedi's vision for UOW's India campus

As the University of Wollongong (UOW) India gears up for its first batch of Computing and FinTech programs in November, we spoke to newly appointed Associate Professor in Computing, Dr Kiran Trivedi.

Global academic excellence

A distinguished academic with more than 27 years of experience in education and research, Dr Trivedi has served in Professor and Head of department positions at prestigious institutions throughout India and the US. His award-winning research in complex, frontier disciplines such as machine learning applications in health informatics, IoT systems and data analytics is documented in more than 35 publications.

“My career has focused on ensuring that what I learn and teach can be applied in real-world scenarios,” Dr Trivedi says. “Working at various institutions and in different roles has provided me with a unique perspective on teaching and research. This has helped me create an environment where new ideas and teamwork are encouraged, preparing me to guide and inspire the next generation of engineers and researchers.”

During his time as Associate Teaching Professor at Northeastern University, Seattle, Dr Trivedi developed a course on Data Mining for the institute’s popular Master of Science in Data Analytics Engineering on Coursera – adapting theory to evolving technological landscape and industry needs.

In 2024, Dr Trivedi was invited to share his insights at Seattle’s Women In Tech Regatta, and has also presented at the UNESCO Paris, HQ in 2013 and UNESCO MGIEP Transforming Education Conference for Humanity (TECH) conferences in 2017 and 2018.

Hometown advantage

Dr Trivedi’s motivation to join UOW Australia combines personal and professional aspirations. "The University of Wollongong offered the same courses I was teaching in Seattle, right in my home city," he explains. 

“These courses are in demand globally and will help Indian students transition smoothly into the job market. It felt natural for me to serve Indian students with an international educational experience.”

His strategy is built on delivering high-quality international education and increasing global campus exposure while fostering institutional and industry partnerships. "I aim to establish strong collaborations with industries both within and outside GIFT City Gandhinagar. These partnerships will provide students with practical experience, internships, and research opportunities," he says.

Dynamic and tailored learning

Revealing his key objectives, Dr Trivedi plans to introduce several initiatives. "We are working on tailored workshops for our corporate partners and interactive Open Day schedules for student engagement," he says.

Leveraging UOW Australia’s global network, Dr Trivedi’s endeavours are supported by his colleagues. “With strong support from my peers in Dubai and Australia, we focus on enhancing the student learning experience and ensuring the relevance of our content for corporates. Our world-class campus technologies will help these initiatives come to fruition.” 

Rendering of an informal learning space at UOW's India campus.

Dr Trivedi also promises to incorporate his expertise in AI, deep learning, and GenAI into the curriculum. "We are in the final stages of setting up the campus and are confident we will quickly grow in these areas," he says. “We see immense potential and are committed to incorporating the latest technology into our academic framework."

Despite the rapid pace of change, Dr Trivedi’s teaching philosophy remains steadfast and proven, emphasising “practical, hands-on learning and using real-world examples and interdisciplinary projects to engage students and enhance their understanding of theoretical concepts.”

A world of opportunity

Sharing plans to replicate successful initiatives such as ‘Girls In ICT’ and ‘Women In FinTech’, and student hackathons, it’s clear Dr Trivedi’s ambitions at UOW’s India campus extends beyond the physical campus realm.

“Given the numerous initiatives and focus areas by UN agencies, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we have a unique opportunity to create a significant impact by addressing SDG-related problems using technology,” Dr Trivedi says.  

“I envision events and hackathons that focus on solving real-world challenges aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include areas such as quality education, gender equality, clean energy, and smart, sustainable cities.”

With this universal mindset, Dr Trivedi is thrilled to welcome the campus’ first intake. “Exposure to diverse cultures and educational environments has taught me the value of inclusivity in education. I aim to foster a learning environment at UOW's India campus that celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all students,” he says.

“With a curriculum mirroring UOW Australia’s high standards, students can look forward to an internationally recognised education that prepares them for the global job market.”