Deakin University, Australia was the first international education provider from anywhere in the world to establish operations in India in 1994. Often showcased as a successful case study of engagement, Deakin University was recently awarded for its Outstanding Contribution’ by Australia India Business Council, an Australian Qrganisation in India.
In conversation with Elets News Network, Professor Iain Martin, President & Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University Australia said, “Deakin in India is the most engaged Australian Provider across education, training, research, industry and Government engagement, recruitment and partnerships. With a team of 60-plus staff who have established a desirable international reputation and presence in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and Mauritius. Deakin remains the leader in International Education in India.”
Earlier this year, Deakin University celebrated 25 years of engagement in India by organising a series of conferences and workshops with Indian government, industry and academia on critical topics including Building World Class Universities, Professionalising of Sports in India, Women in Leadership and Integrated Reporting. The events had overwhelming participation from the stakeholders across India.
Engagement in India
Further highlighting Deakin’s presence in India, Prof Martin said, “Deakin University is focused around engagement with partners, students or with the society through a range of activities from alumni and graduate employment services, to student recruitment and mobility, to industry and government engagement.”
In one its kind initiative, Prof Martin continued, “Deakin has established a Vice Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholarship program in April 2015 towards a common cause of “Changing Lives” in India with one of India’s largest television networks.”
“With an objective to identify deserving students of the lot, the scholarship program offers four 100% tuition fee scholarships at Deakin University which will build stronger collaboration between India and Australia and have a strong impact to our societies”, Prof Martin added.
In another initiative, Deakin runs several Student Mobility Programs in South Asia where more than 200 Deakin students travel to engage in several activities internships, study tours, winter schools, volunteering programs and semester abroad programs, etc.
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It is a moment of pride, Prof Martin said, “Deakin University has been significantly successful in receiving number New Colombo Plan grants for students to engage in India through semester abroad, study tours, volunteering programs, etc. to India in the last couple of years.”
Recruitment
Talking about the number of recruitment from India, Prof Martin said, “Deakin receives the largest number of students from this region. In 2018, Deakin’s enrollments significantly grew at 32% over the enrollments in 2017. In the last three year, enrollments for on-shore courses at Deakin have grown by more than 166% while maintaining high quality and 99% visa grant success.”
Delivering Effective Partnerships
Deakin in India is renowned for developing successful partnerships with industry, governments, communities, professional associations and other educational providers, both nationally and internationally in activities which would contribute positively to community in areas of strategic importance and welfare.
Commenting on the same, Prof Martin said, “Deakin provides strategic inputs in Teaching and Learning programs besides providing various options for studies through semester abroad programs, research, internships, mobility and in-country capacity building programs in the areas of Education Leadership, Sports Management, Information Technology, etc.
Highlighting the partnerships, he further continued, “Deakin’s teaching and learning partnerships in India include VIT University, IITs, IISC, Symbiosis International University, University of Mumbai, Hyderabad University and Amity University.”
Research and Innovation
Through its research, Prof. Martin said, “Deakin is making a positive impact on the lives and well-being of people in India, through exceptional innovation and research, by partnering with industry, government and institutional networks in India. Deakin’s research and innovation initiatives in India is striving to build on our global research footprint.”
“Deakin’s innovation in research is uncontested and we have some excellent examples of ideas which are now moving across the boundary from academia to the commercial world of industry, mostly as a consequence of our very good partnerships with industry”, he added.
Through its engagement and partnerships, Deakin University aims to create Worldly graduates and to engage in global activities that develop knowledge which improves lives and communities.
