Australia May Set Up Offshore University Campuses in India
The Australian Education Minister, Dan Tehan, on his three-day visit to India, spoke about the possibility of setting up off-shore campuses of premier Australian Universities across India. He also spoke about the possibilities of establishing off-shore campuses of India Universities in Australia.
In a bid to expand on the educational partnership between India and Australia, the Australian Government has been analyzing the possibility of establishing off-shore campuses across India of its leading universities. They have also been contemplating the recognition of degrees mutually, between both the countries.
During a conversation with the media, Dan Tehan, the Education Minister of Australia spoke about the two issues in a meeting with the MHRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, on 22nd November 2019.
In an interview to PTI, Australian Education Minister Dan Tehan said the two issues were discussed in his meeting with Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ''Nishank'' on Friday.
The Government of India has been planning on allowing foreign universities to establish their off-shore campuses in India. The University Grants Commission (UGC), has been discussing the idea of allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India, under a partnership with one of the higher educational institutions of India.
In a statement by Mr Dan Tehan, he stated that they had discussed the possibilities of setting up off-shore campuses of the Universities from Australia. During his three day visit to India, also discussed the possibility of setting up off-shore campuses of Indian Universities in Australia, in a bid to mutually benefit both the countries.
The idea of setting up off-shore campuses in India has been forwarded to the Higher Education Commission of India bill (HECI), which is expected to be reviewed by the Cabinet soon. It is expected to witness off-shore-campuses of Australian Universities being established in India.
Mr Tehan added that through their off-shore campuses, they have been able to educate nearly a quarter of their International students. He stated that both India and Australia have been contemplating the idea of setting up off-shore campuses in India. Official statistics claim that there are over 1 lakh students pursuing their higher education in Australia currently.
Dan Tehan stated that Australia is keen on moving forward with the idea, however, they also gave importance to “reciprocity”. He mentioned that if the India Government is interested, the Australian Government will look into the possibilities of establishing off-shore campuses of India Universities in Australia.
Mr Tehan also stated that they are looking forward to a similar agreement that has been made between India and France. He stated that they are looking forward to the mutual recognition of qualifications. They wish to develop a similar framework, as India has with France, in order to facilitate easier exchange of students and fellows.
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Commenting on the New Education Policy of India, he called the draft “ambitious”. He added that they wish to aid India in the implementation of its reformed agenda. He also stated that similarities have been witnessed between the New Education Policy as well as the Australian Qualification framework.
Also Read:Partnership Between India and Australia to Facilitate Exchange of Knowledge
He further offered help through their regulator to facilitate an exchange of views on the method of ensuring quality and excellence through their regulator. He further states that they will be able to help in the system being put in place by the Indian Government.