NEW DELHI, 16 September, 2024: Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a five million dollars fund to setup offshore campuses of Victorian Universities. The Premier announced the funding at the Australia India Institute (AII), annual Oration in New Delhi on Monday (16 Sept, 2024) at the Imperial Hotel in India’s capital.
The funding announcement by her was made after the announcement of an expanded partnership between RMIT University and Indian University BITS Pilani.
The fund aims to encourage universities and TAFEs to open foreign campuses’, where education will be divided between campus in India and Australia.
“We say yes to international students because they boost our economy and our global reputation, they support our small businesses, and they keep our multicultural state connected with the world.”
“We say no to the Federal Government’s caps. Our new fund is going to help our unis and TAFEs find innovative ways to challenge them, and make our offering to international students even stronger,” she said.
The dual campus’ concept for which funding has been announced is known as ‘Transnational Education’ (TNE) delivers Australian courses to international students outside Australia, where a university may set up a campus offshore or co-deliver dual courses with a reputable international university.
Reactions from universities, private colleges and TAFEs about the funding proposal is unavailable. Whether the step will help overcome the recent cap on international students, remains to be seen. It is widely believed most international students from India and other countries use the courses they do here to clear a path towards a permanent residency in Australia.
Earlier in the day the Victorian Premier visited the capital’s Kutub Minar (13th century) archaeological tourist complex in Mehrauli. She went around the monuments in the area full of many sites.
A day earlier, reports The Age, she met the Australian High Commissioner in New Delhi, Phillip Green, and discussed the possible extradition of Puneet Puneet, hit-and-run driver who killed an Australian student in 2008. Puneet Puneet has evaded extradition by using legal channels through prolonged court procedures.
ANI adds:
Addressing at the AII Oration Jacinta Allan stated, “The connection between Victoria and India is a powerful one. It’s a friendship that extends over an ocean, and a partnership that supports collaboration and cooperation.”
“We have an incredibily strong foundation to strengthen the economic and cultural size. We have a lot in common in terms of values but also and growth areas like renewable energy, better transport connections,” she added.
Jacinta Allan’s speech focused on deep-rooted connections and shared values that bind Australia and India, highlighting cultural, economic and educational exchanges that have strengthened over the years.
Calling the Indian community in Victoria diverse, Allan stated, “Victoria’s Indian community is proud and diverse, with more than a quarter of a million mums, dads and kids, business owners and students, doctors and nurses, artists and engineers all working hard and raising there families here.”
Allan affirmed that she is determined to nurture the relationship between Victoria and India and said, “This hasn’t happened by accident – its come about through energy and effort and as Premier I’m determined to build on our shared success.”
She further added, “India is the future of the world and Victoria will continue to partner as Victoria is the future of Australia.”
Speaking on how two nations have a lot in common, she said, “If you look at the growth areas of India’s economy and our economy, very similar areas continue to derive investment in green renewable energy, building of more homes, investment in transport connections and above all is delivery of good education whether it is from Indian education provider or Victorian education provider. This has been a key pact of my visit here.”
Cover photo- Rajeev Sharma, New Delhi, India.
