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Higher Education ministerial delegation strengthens Australia-India relationship

03 March 2023

Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) Executive Director, Luke Sheehy, said the Higher Education delegation to India led by Education Minister, Jason Clare, has significantly strengthened the deep ties which exist between the two countries.

Media Release – ATN Universities says India-Australia relationship is now stronger than ever – 03 March 2023

FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2023

Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) Executive Director, Luke Sheehy, said the Higher Education delegation to India led by Education Minister, Jason Clare, has significantly strengthened the deep ties which exist between the two countries.

“The relationship has been taken to the next level during these past few days and both ministers, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Jason Clare, clearly recognise that education is at the centre of that great relationship,” Mr Sheehy said.

“Both ministers fundamentally understand the power of education, how it plays a leading role diplomatically as well as economically, and that excellence comes with equity. There was genuine affection in the room at each event and it is a credit to Minister Clare for leading the delegation and we thank him for that leadership.”

ATN universities have been at the forefront of several pivotal partnerships announced during the bilateral engagements; including a first-of-its-kind agreement between RMIT and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani in which they agreed to establish a new Higher Education Academy, to deliver courses in STEM disciplines. Dual degrees will be offered by the two universities and face-to-face classes commence in August.

UniSA and Accenture also built on the success of The Innovation Academy, transforming business education in Australia with the first offering of a co-developed and co-delivered Bachelor of Digital Business. They can be studied both on-campus and 100% online for both domestic and international students.

“ATN universities have been in India for more than 20 years when Deakin University first established ties there and this was a demonstration to the new minister of the long-term commitment of our universities to India. ATN will continue to lead this area of Higher Ed well into the future,” Mr Sheehy said.

ATN universities have long been the number one destination for Indian students. At its peak in 2019 ATN universities had almost 14,000 students from India, representing 16 per cent of all Indian students in Australia.

 

Media Contact (not for publication)
Frank Coletta (Manager, Media and Communications) m: 0468 987 295 e: frank.coletta@atn.edu.au