NEW DELHI, Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ – Australia’s Deakin University, has announced the setting up of hubs in three Indian universities to boost their presence in India.
Deakin was the first international university to establish its presence in India in 1994, and over the last two years, through its office in New Delhi has set up innovative models of engagement to boost learning opportunities for students in India. Students can now commence the first part of their studies with a Deakin partner institution in India and then transfer to a Deakin campus in Australia for the second part of their educational journey.
The hubs will act as the central point of all engagement activities, alongside strategic partners OP Jindal Global University, Symbiosis International University, and Chitkara University.
The announcement was made in the presence of Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, at the recent Deakin University and Tata Consultancy Services’ international conclave here.
Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan said, “This event is important for me, for India, and the youth of India because academicians, technocrats, and thought leaders are here. I’m here to take advice from all of you, I want to align my National Education Policy with the emerging thoughts of the globe.”
The conclave brought together thought leaders from academia, government, and industry to deliberate on the critical themes around digital transformation, internationalization of education, international collaboration in research and innovation, skill-based education, and global employability.
A media release says, “Deakin hubs will be instrumental in establishing innovative models of engagement in higher education, research and training for in-country programs leading to onshore studies in Australia. They will also offer student support and student mobility between campuses in India and Australia and in-country assistance for internships and connections with industry. Development projects and consultancy initiatives in research, innovation and skills development will also be facilitated through the innovation Hubs.”
“I am excited to be back in India and it couldn’t have been for a better occasion than the launch of the hubs at the OP Jindal Global University, Symbiosis International University, and Chitkara University,” said Professor Iain Martin, Vice Chancellor of Deakin University.
Ravneet Pawha, Vice-President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia) at Deakin said, “The vision for Deakin University Hubs in India is firmly embedded in Deakin’s ‘with India, in India, for India‘ approach of engagement to prepare the country’s youth for the future.”
The Hubs will act as a conduit to strengthen the university-industry-government partnership which will benefit society at large.”
The conclave featured speakers including:
- Mr. Subramaniam Ramodorai (Former Vice Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services)
- Mr. Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Founder, InfoEdge)
- Ambassador Anil Wadhwa (Distinguished Fellow, Vivekananda International Foundation)
- Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh (Vice-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education)
- Mr. Ankur Mathur (Business Unit Head, Education – India, TCS)
- Ms. Michelle Wade (Commissioner – South Asia, Global Victoria)
- Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar (Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University)
- Dr. Monica Kennedy (Senior Trade Commissioner – Australian Trade and Investment Commission)
- Mr. Kuldeep Pandita (Geo Head Education Business for Australia & New Zealand, TCS)
- Ms. Sarah Storey (Deputy Australian High Commissioner to India)
- Professor (Dr) C Raj Kumar (Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University)
- Dr. Vibha Dhawan (Director General, TERI)
- Mr. Raju Goteti (Vice President, TCS Co-Innovation Network)
- Ms. Melissa Banks (Head of International Education, AUSTRADE)
- Mr. Gopal Krishna GSS (Country Head – Market Function and Product Group Head, TCS iON), and
- Mr. Glenn Campbell (CEO DeakinCo.).
Apart from the announcement of Deakin University hubs in India, the conclave also witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding with the university’s existing partners Tata Consultancy Services and Tata Energy Research Institute, which the aim to boost ongoing engagement in areas of mutual strategic alignment, such as sustainability and capacity building.
