‘In India, with India, for India’: Deakin University to open world-first teaching campus in Gujarat

Deakin will take its partnership with India to an “entirely new level” as it becomes the first university in the world to open a teaching campus in the country.

Deakin vice-chancellor Iain Martin has announced a world-first teaching campus to be established in India’s GIFT City. Picture: David Smith

Deakin University will open a teaching campus in India by the middle of next year.

Vice-chancellor Iain Martin, chancellor John Stanhope and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday night that the university would open the campus by mid-2024.

The campus will be located in the heart of Gujarat’s smart business district and will provide students access to postgraduate courses aligned with local employment needs.

The announcement comes as Deakin prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and 30 years in India, in 2024.

Prof Martin said Deakin had a long and proud history in India, as the first international university to establish its presence in the nation in 1994. The university’s South Asia office is located in Delhi.

Professor Martin, pictured with Geelong councillors Peter Murrihy and Anthony Aitken, said Deakin’s partnership with India was “one of the jewels in the crown” of the educator’s growth. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“Since then, through innovative collaborations across research, education and training, we have forged a bond based on commitment, excellence, trust and transparency,” Prof Martin said.

“Our India partnership is one of the jewels in the crown of our growth and success over the almost 50 years of Deakin’s existence from humble beginnings on a green field site at Waurn Ponds in 1974.

“Back in 1893, Alfred Deakin – the Australian Prime Minister for whom our university is named – predicted that students from Australia and India would traverse international borders and form lasting intellectual partnerships.

“Perhaps it’s taken a little longer than Alfred Deakin expected, but through the dedicated work of government, academia and industry, today’s historic announcement takes our partnership to an entirely new level.”

Prof Martin said Deakin’s approach was “in India, with India, for India” and that opening the new campus marked an exciting new chapter.

“This is a historic opportunity to deepen our engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and open up access to our world-class education and pathways, delivered in India by Deakin alongside our industry partners,” he said.

The new campus will aim to provide better opportunities for local students who cannot afford to travel and live in Australia.

With a focus on digital economy needs, Deakin’s courses at the campus will initially include the Master of Cyber Security and Master of Business Analytics, before expanding to degrees from the faculties of science, engineering and built environment, and business and law.

It will also work with corporate leaders for cadetship and employment opportunities and to ensure courses align with job requirements.

Deakin has partnerships in 57 countries, and has offices in China, India, Latin America, Europe, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Singapore.

Originally published as ‘In India, with India, for India’: Deakin University to open world-first teaching campus in Gujarat