Victorian Government Higher Education Mission to India

In September 2024 the Victorian Government, through Study Melbourne, delivered a 5-day Higher Education Mission to India.

Led by the Hon. John Brumby AO, Chair of Victoria’s International Education Advisory Council, the delegation included Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors and senior executives, and promoted Victoria-India education collaboration and transnational education partnerships and research opportunities.

The program began in New Delhi, where delegates were present at this year’s Australia India Institute’s (AII) Annual Oration, delivered by the Premier of Victoria, The Hon. Jacinta Allan MP, with a focus on strengthening Victoria’s connection to India.

As part of her visit, the Premier announced a new $5 million ‘Yes to International Students Fund' to help more Victorian universities and TAFEs take their education offering to the world, such as the expanded partnership between RMIT University and leading Indian university BITS Pilani, where students complete half their undergraduate degree in India and half in Victoria.

Delegates also met with Victorian alumni and influential figures from the Indian business, education, and government sectors at a networking event, hosted by the Commissioner for Victoria to South Asia, Michelle Wade, and Study Melbourne. The event launched Victoria’s refreshed India Strategy ‘Our Shared Future 2025-2030’, a new product range for Natio, and La Trobe University signed a letter of intent with India’s Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council to establish a Bio Innovation Corridor.

The University of Melbourne also opened its Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi. The Centre will facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange across education, research, industry, and the community, serving as the university's central hub in India.

The delegation participated in DIDAC India 2024, the largest education and EdTech event in South Asia, with Vice-Chancellors participating in panels as part of the related The International Education and Skills Summit. The delegation also partnered with 14 Victorian EdTech companies and education providers who exhibited at the expo. The highlight of DIDAC was the convening of a Victoria-India Higher Education Roundtable which brought together 12 senior academic leaders from top Indian universities with 12 senior leaders from the Victorian delegation to examine the dynamics of collaboration and cooperation.

The visit concluded with a productive visit to Bengaluru. Key outcomes during this leg of the mission included:

• Meeting with the Government of Karnataka's Department of Higher Education and Karnataka State Higher Education Council.
• A Victorian Government reception with Victorian alumni and influential figures from the Indian business, education, and government sectors. Consul General Hilary McGeachy delivered a welcome speech and an MOU was signed between La Trobe University and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre to accelerate the commercialisation of promising new life science products for global markets.
• Site visit to the Infosys’ Bangalore campus and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre.

Thank you to our delegates for making this mission an outstanding success, which has led to greater collaboration, enhanced cultural understanding and paved the way for future engagement.