Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced an Australia-India “education qualification recognition mechanism” while making it official that Deakin University is the first ever overseas university approved to establish its branch campus in India. The offshore campus will come up in Gandhinagar’s GIFT City.
On the first day of his two-day tour of Gujarat, Albanese also announced a new “Maitri” scholarship for Indian students to study in Australia for up to four years.
The visiting PM, accompanied by a delegation, reached Ahmedabad on Wednesday and visited Sabarmati Ashram. He also celebrated Holi at Raj Bhavan with Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as part of a cultural event.
The Australia-India education qualification recognition mechanism is a double-edged advantage. As Albanese explained: “If you are an Indian student studying or have studied in Australia, your hard-earned degree will be recognised when you return home. Conversely, if you are a member of Australia’s very large Indian diaspora of 8,00,000 and growing, you will feel more confident that your Indian qualification will be recognised in Australia.” The Australian PM was addressing “Celebrating India-Australia Education Relationship” event in Ahmedabad, Thursday.
The Deakin University’s proposed campus will offer courses in cyber security and business analytics, he said. “The University of Wollongong also intends to establish a campus at GIFT City. Of course, we will always welcome students to come and stay in Australia. but not everyone has the means or the ability to pack up their bags and study in another country… now Indian students can obtain Australian education without being in Australia,” he added.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in his address said the Deakin University’s International Branch Campus (IBC) will also contribute towards the fulfilment of providing skilled manpower to GIFT City. He also assured the Australian delegation of all possible support to any other university desirous of opening a campus in GIFT City.
Also Read: Morbi Aftereffect: State Govt Formulates Uniform Policy For Upkeep Of Bridges
