In a significant development, several universities from Australia have expressed keen interest in establishing their international campuses in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, recently conveyed this interest to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge during his visit to Bengaluru in late November. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Bengaluru Tech Summit, where Green highlighted the eagerness of Australian universities to explore opportunities in Karnataka.
During the meeting, Green shared insights into the burgeoning interest expressed by select Australian universities in establishing their presence in Karnataka. The Chief Minister and the IT/BT Minister welcomed the proposition, expressing their openness to receiving formal proposals. Green emphasized that this initial expression of interest serves as a pathway for more in-depth discussions between the Australian universities and the Karnataka state government.
Currently, two Australian universities, namely Deakin and Wollongang, are poised to inaugurate their campuses in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in the upcoming academic year. These institutions are slated to become the first foreign universities to set up campuses in India. Green, who recently visited the university sites, reported witnessing purpose-built structures rapidly taking shape.
Highlighting the active involvement of Australian universities in India, Green revealed that two universities are in the process of constructing properties in India, with plans for their grand openings next year. He noted that Australian universities typically express interest in specific states when considering the establishment of international branches, and Karnataka has undeniably captured their attention.
While discussing the potential collaboration, Green emphasized that the Australian universities looking to establish campuses in India will need to navigate the process based on the responses received to their proposals. The state government’s receptiveness to these proposals will play a crucial role in shaping the future discussions and determining the course of action for the universities interested in setting up campuses in Karnataka.
Green underscored the growing number of Indian students pursuing education in Australia and envisioned that Australian institutions in India would be a pivotal component of the educational ties between the two countries in the future. He pointed out that this setup offers Indian students a unique opportunity to obtain globally recognized degrees within the country, often at costs lower than the standard international tuition fees.
Moreover, Green shed light on the collaborative nature of these upcoming institutions, stating that the faculty would comprise a well-balanced mix of Australian and Indian academics. However, he emphasized that the operation itself would bear the distinctive characteristics of Australian education, ensuring a globally competitive and high-quality academic environment.
As the interest from Australian universities in establishing international campuses in Karnataka continues to grow, it opens up new avenues for educational collaboration and exchange between Australia and India. The prospect of Indian students gaining access to world-class education from prestigious Australian institutions without leaving their homeland is a promising development that could reshape the educational landscape in Karnataka and beyond.
In conclusion, the active engagement and positive response from the Karnataka state government signal the potential for a fruitful collaboration between Australian universities and the state. This endeavor has the potential to contribute significantly to the strengthening of educational ties and cultural exchange between Australia and India, marking a milestone in the global academic landscape.
