Joining AIU Secretary General Dr Pankaj Mittal in New Delhi to sign the memorandum of understanding, Universities Australia Chair Professor John Dewar AO acknowledged the long-standing partnership between both organisations.

“Universities Australia has an enduring relationship with the AIU, with the first formal agreement created in 2010 following more than a decade of collaboration,” Professor Dewar said.

“Our renewed commitment will open the door to enhanced understanding between Australian and Indian universities, while deepening bilateral cooperation in education and research.

“Australian and Indian universities have more than 450 formal partnerships between them, demonstrating the strong connections between our universities.

“It’s clear these relationships are only going to grow. India is aiming to educate 500 million students by 2035, and Australia’s universities are here to help.

“New rules for mutual recognition of university qualifications in both our countries, formally announced today by Minister Clare, will only drive closer collaboration between our nations.”

AIU Secretary General Dr Pankaj Mittal said the partnership was crucial to supporting India’s higher education ambitions through the National Education Policy.

“The signing of the MOU with Universities Australia will greatly strengthen the partnerships between Indian and Australian universities through student and faculty exchange, dual and joint degrees, twinning programs and research collaborations,” Dr Mittal said.

“In keeping with the vision of the National Education Policy, we’ve also established the Indian Network of International Higher Education and collaboration portal to facilitate student mobility through mutual recognition of qualifications.”