Dharmendra Pradhan Strengthens India-Australia Educational Collaboration at Melbourne Conference

Melbourne: Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, delivered the plenary speech at the Australian International Education Conference in Melbourne today. During the event, Pradhan also held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart, Jason Clare MP, to discuss collaborative opportunities in the education sector. The conference witnessed the participation of university heads, members of the Indian delegation, and other distinguished dignitaries.

In his address, Pradhan praised the strong and evolving partnership between India and Australia, emphasizing that the collaboration ties the countries’ shared history while laying a foundation for a brighter future. He expressed confidence in further strengthening these ties under the leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Highlighting the pivotal role of education in the 4th Industrial Revolution, Pradhan emphasized that India’s National Education Policy (NEP) provides a robust framework that focuses on digital literacy, soft skills, and interdisciplinary studies, preparing students to become creators and managers of technology. He noted that India is committed to transforming its education system into a competency-based framework, with skills-based education at the forefront.

The Minister commended the strides made in India-Australia education cooperation, noting the establishment of Australian university campuses in India as a promising start. He emphasized the need for both countries to continue leveraging technology to address global challenges, while creating opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship for students.

Jason Clare MP echoed these sentiments, highlighting the transformative power of education. He acknowledged the rising prominence of India’s education system, predicting that by 2035, one in four university degrees globally would be earned in India. Clare praised longstanding partnerships like Deakin University’s 30-year presence in India and lauded the ongoing efforts to establish consortium campuses of Australian universities in India.

Earlier in the day, Pradhan and Clare held discussions on shared priorities, including early childhood care, teacher capacity building, and school twinning initiatives. They explored ways to further enhance institutional linkages between Indian and Australian higher education institutions, particularly in critical and emerging technologies.

During his visit to Australia, Pradhan also met with Jacinta Allan MP, Premier of Victoria, where they discussed strengthening educational ties and institutional linkages, particularly in light of Victoria’s large Indian diaspora.

The Minister also visited various educational institutions, including the South Melbourne Primary School, where he engaged with young learners and explored innovative approaches to early childhood education. Pradhan reaffirmed India’s commitment to adopting global best practices to make early learning universal and stress-free.

At the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Pradhan explored the ‘Discovery to Device’ med-tech facility, which accelerates the journey from ideas to products. He expressed interest in RMIT’s industry-driven approach and discussed potential collaborations with Indian higher education institutions to equip students with future-ready skills.

Additionally, Pradhan visited Monash University, where he commended the university’s research and innovation ecosystem. He explored the Innovation Lab and Center for Nanofabrication, applauding their cutting-edge facilities aimed at fostering impactful innovations.

Pradhan’s visit to Australia, from 22 to 26 October 2024, marks a significant step toward enhancing bilateral cooperation in education, fostering collaboration, and promoting skill-based learning and research. His earlier visit to Singapore from 20-21 October underscored India’s commitment to expanding cooperation in education with global partners.