(Commonwealth_India) A consortium of six Australian universities—Flinders University, Griffith University, James Cook University, La Trobe University, the University of Canberra, and Western Sydney University—will jointly establish a new campus aimed at expanding the reach of Australian higher education overseas. Unlike similar projects in the GIFT City, the University Grants Commission Regulations 2023 will govern this initiative, ensuring adherence to national standards.
The proposed consortium represents a pioneering collaboration among Australian universities, marking the first time that multiple institutions have partnered to deliver Australian degrees offshore. As Paul Harris, Executive Director of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) group, explained, the project will allow these universities to scale up their educational offerings abroad, providing Australian qualifications without the need for international travel.
The consortium campus will offer undergraduate programs aligned with those available on the universities’ campuses in Australia, in fields such as cybersecurity, software engineering, artificial intelligence, financial technology, sports management, and tourism and hospitality. The individual institutions will award degrees that meet the accredited Australian qualifications standards set by Australia’s higher education quality assurance agencies.
Harris emphasized the campus’s potential to meet both current and future needs in India, particularly in areas requiring skilled graduates. He noted that the flexible approach to course offerings will help cater to the diverse educational needs of students, especially those from under-represented backgrounds, and ensure strong employment outcomes through industry partnerships.
While the campus’s establishment timeline remains uncertain, discussions are underway for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the northern Indian state of Haryana, where the consortium is considering potential locations for the campus. The flexibility of course offerings will be a key factor in determining the site, as the consortium aims to provide a broad range of disciplines.
India has long been a key partner for IRU universities, both in terms of research and student mobility. Statistics from IRU indicate that 21% of students at its member institutions are international, with India being the largest source country. The growing presence of IRU universities in regions such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the UAE makes India a natural extension for this new educational venture.
The IRU’s proposed campus in India is part of a broader strategy to enhance its transnational education (TNE) initiatives, which have gained momentum in recent years. The consortium aims to build on its existing international collaborations and successful offshore campuses, offering students in India an accessible pathway to high-quality Australian higher education.
The move comes amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Australia’s Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Amendment Bill, which includes proposals for caps on international student enrollments. While this shift has led to a decline in international student visa applications to Australia, the IRU’s initiative predates these discussions and underscores the growing demand for offshore education options. By expanding its presence in India, the IRU seeks to offer more opportunities for Indian students who wish to obtain Australian qualifications in their home country.
