Deakin University, Australia has initiated the admission process for its two postgraduate programmes set to commence in July 2024 at its international campus located within GIFT City in Gandhinagar. The university is offering these programmes at an annual tuition fee of AUD 19,000, which is approximately Rs 10.7 lakh. This announcement was made during the second day of the Australian delegation’s visit to Gujarat, led by Education Minister Jason Clare.
Deakin University’s establishment of an international campus in GIFT City marks a historic milestone in India’s higher education journey. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today marks a historic milestone in India’s journey in the field of higher education, as we celebrate the announcement of two campuses, Deakin and University in Wollongong in GIFT City.”
He made these remarks during the ‘Arambh (The Beginning): Australian University Campuses in India’ program at GIFT City, where both the Australian delegation and Minister Pradhan visited the under-construction sites of the Deakin and Wollongong campuses.
The Deakin University campus will spread over 25,000 square feet, and is scheduled to be inaugurated in January 2024, most likely during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Prospective students can submit their applications for admission until March 31.
What sets this initiative apart is its affordability, with an annual tuition fee that is significantly lower than the cost of studying at the university’s Australian campuses. Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Prof Iain Martin emphasised this, stating, “We will charge AUD 19,000, which is nearly Rs 10 lakh per annum. The cost of living will be around Rs 2.5 lakh per annum for students. That is roughly half the cost of what a student has to pay on the Australia campus.”
Furthermore, Deakin University plans to expand its program offerings in the coming years. Starting next year, the university will introduce master’s programs in cyber security (professional) and business analytics. These two-year courses will accept applications for admission starting immediately. The university sees its partnership with GIFT City as a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with industry, contributing to the knowledge, technology, and financial ecosystem in the region.
Prof Martin highlighted, “This will be an Australian university operating in India with Australian characteristics but Indian culture… Students will study a Deakin curriculum, follow the same calendar… In time, we hope that Australian students will spend some time here and vice versa…”
Simultaneously, the University of Wollongong also made an exciting announcement. They will start accepting applications for their master’s program in computing with a specialisation in data analytics, beginning in January of the next year, for the session commencing in July 2024. Moreover, the university plans to open admissions for its undergraduate program in computing in 2025.
Moreover, the University of Wollongong is committed to promoting gender diversity in the field of fintech. Upon the launch of its GIFT City campus in July 2024, the university will target scholarships for women in fintech and leverage its campuses in Dubai, Sydney, and Malaysia to create networks and sponsorships for women in the field. This initiative aims to support and empower women pursuing careers in fintech and establish strong connections with companies and alumni within GIFT City.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the significance of these developments, aligning with the vision outlined in India’s National Education Policy, 2020. He stated, “The introduction of foreign university campuses in India perfectly aligns with the vision outlined in National Education Policy, 2020. This transformative policy emphasises ‘Internationalisation at Home,’ aiming to create a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive educational environment within our own country.”
GIFT City, situated in Gujarat, is seen as an ideal location for such initiatives, given its dynamic economy, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and conducive environment for business. Minister Pradhan further said, “Gujarat is the leading growth engine of India. The campus of these two Australian universities in GIFT City is a gift that the nation has been looking forward to.”
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