​14 September 2013

From 10 to 12 July 2013, a delegation led by the Indian Education Minister the Hon Dr Pallam Raju, Minister of Human Resource Development, visited Australia to participate in the Annual Education Ministers’ Dialogue on Education Cooperation and co-chair the second Australia India Education Council (AIEC) meeting.

Minister Raju was accompanied by a delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, vice chancellors of Indian universities, and representatives from India’s sector skills councils.

The visit provided an opportunity to continue to strengthen collaboration in the areas of vocational education and training and tertiary education.

A joint communique outlining some of the outcomes of the visit was released and included:

• the second Australia India Skills Conference to be held in New Delhi in November
• a commitment to provide further funding for the AIEC
• support to send 300 students to India for a study experience under the AsiaBound program
• new AIEC knowledge partnership grants in key areas
• the establishment of an AIEC Qualification Recognition Taskforce to enhance qualifications recognition between the two countries
• an Australia India Education Leaders’ Exchange to be run by the Australia India Institute in 2013–14, and
• an Australia India Vocational Education Leadership Training program to run by TAFE Directors Australia in 2013–14.

Education is regarded as a central pillar in the bilateral relationship, with Indian students the second largest cohort for international student enrolments in Australia.

Indian Education Minister the Hon Dr Pallam Raju

Minister Raju with Professor Fred Himler at UNSW