India has over 540 universities, which grant degrees, however most university courses are delivered in over 31,000 colleges across the country. As most Indian students experience higher education through these colleges, engaging with senior college officials is an ideal way to build greater understanding of Australia’s educational institutions and researchers as trusted partners for engagement with Indian staff and students.

 

A visit by four Indian College Principals was organised by the Australian India Council and AEI with support from the Australia India Institute and La Trobe University. The visit enabled the Principals to better respond to queries from their students about where to study in Australia and encourage student and staff mobility to Australia through a greater understanding of Australia's quality education.

 

The ten day program began with a presentation from AEI South, South East Asia Branch and Higher Education Group, on the Australia India education relationship followed by a discussion about Australia’s higher education system including the policy landscape and an overview of changes to the system.

 

The Australia India Institute hosted a dinner and roundtable discussion on higher education which enabled the Principals to engage further with university and academic staff.

 

During the program, the Principals were also briefed by the University of Melbourne, Victoria University, La Trobe University, the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales. These briefings focussed on the universities’ programs, international engagement strategies and existing collaborative relationships.

 

The visiting Principals will prepare a report to the Australia India Council including suggestions for the future of the program; detailing what the Principal’s learnt about Australia’s education system; opportunities discovered for future international education linkages and changes to be implemented in their own institutions about how they engage internationally as a result of the visit.

Principals from India visit AEI National office.