New Delhi :  Deakin University officially unveiled its India’s first-ever international branch campus in Gift City Campus in Ahmedabad, Gujrat.  Leading up to the official campus inauguration, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, met with the Deakin delegation and spoke about enhancing collaboration between the government and academic institutions pertaining to cyber security; Deakin’s three-decade presence and engagement in India; and the upcoming campus inauguration alongside the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. “Australia setting up India’s first-ever foreign university campus is a landmark moment in Australia–India relations. This opens a new chapter in our education ties, and this is only the beginning,” said His Excellency Philip Green OAM, Australian High Commissioner to India, during his address at the inauguration event at the India campus in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Deakin’s GIFT City Campus, India, gives local students access to Deakin’s future-ready, world-class, postgraduate courses in business analytics and cyber security, at half the cost of Australian international fees.

“Opening the world’s first international branch campus in India reflects our commitment to offering global education that empowers students to excel in the digital age. This is an investment in the future leaders who will uphold and strengthen the bond between our nations,” Professor Martin said.

Notably, Professor Iain Martin, also represented Australia in a CEO roundtable with Prime Minister Modi, prior to the inauguration.

“Steadfast in our promise to give back to the community and change lives, two fully funded scholarships will be awarded to economically challenged students, underlining Deakin’s commitment to foster educational equity and nurture local talent.”

“Commemorating Deakin University’s 50th anniversary and 30 years in India, opening our campus in India magnifies these milestones,” Professor Martin said.

The campus features brand-new digital classrooms, libraries and cyber security labs, aimed at delivering an exceptional educational experience, while its digital integration with Deakin’s Australian campuses ensure students will have comprehensive access to essential learning resources.

As India’s workforce requirements expand and evolve within emerging technology sectors, Deakin University is set to expand its academic portfolio at the India campus, equipping students for global market leadership and positioning Deakin as an educational contributor to India’s growing digital workforce.

The campus will also serve as a startup incubator, nurturing entrepreneurial talent and innovation with specialised short courses and extensive support to elevate the regional startup landscape.

At the formal ceremony, Ravneet Pawha, Deakin Vice-President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia), expressed that it is an exciting time for cross-cultural education between Australia and India, and untapped global learning experiences.

“Our bold vision is for GIFT City is to be a regional hub in the future, attracting students from across the globe to India and offering Australian students a unique opportunity to spend a trimester at Gujarat,” she said.

Following the launch, Deakin University kick-started its industry engagements with the inaugural Deakin University x IABCA Leadership Roundtable. The event brought together prominent figures from both Indian and Australian governments and industries for a participative dialogue on ‘Building Sustainable Futures across the Australia–India Corridor’, setting the stage for a series of strategic dialogues and partnerships for shared progress.

Speaking about this historic junction in Indo–Australian education relations, Ms. Pawha said, “I commend the tireless efforts and support from both nations’ governments in realising this audacious project. This sets the stage for more innovative, expansive work in bilateral knowledge co-operation, envisioning a future where education knows no borders. I strongly encourage Indian students and professionals to embrace this opportunity and emerge as global pioneers in a tech-forward economy.”

The official Deakin University GIFT City Campus launch event, which occurred alongside the Vibrant Gujarat summit, was graced by distinguished guests from the government, academia and industry, including Deakin alumnus, Princess Jahanvi Kumari Mewar.

The opportunity to study at Deakin’s GIFT City Campus has seen a surge of interest, with potential students drawn to internationally accredited programs and unique internship opportunities within GIFT City’s industry network.

Priced at around 21 lac rupees for the two-year course (fast-tracked to 18 months), the program will be delivered by local and international staff, along with guest lectures from leading industry figures.

Deakin GIFT City Campus applications close on 31 March 2024, with classes scheduled to commence in July 2024.

Those interested in learning more are welcome to register for updates at https://www.deakin.edu.au/gift-city-campus-india/enquiry-form