Deakin University welcomes the new chapter in India’s transformation as a digital knowledge economy

The upcoming Government of India is poised to bring about a new era of progress and transformation. There is a highly positive outlook towards India's ongoing growth and advancement as a digital knowledge economy. Deakin University, a steadfast partner to India for three decades, extends its warm welcome and support for the leadership and reaffirms its continued contribution to enhancing knowledge collaboration between Australia and India.

The period ahead promises to be transformative, paving the way for increased international mobility, diverse academic collaborations, and a stronger global presence of Indian talent. The time has come, and India surely looks to take the stage in the global knowledge state of play.

Future predictions for international collaborations in higher education –

• NEP 2020 and beyond: Significant groundwork has been laid to expand international knowledge collaboration, setting the stage for further development based on the strong foundation established through the visionary NEP 2020. The internationalisation of higher education is poised to gain traction, offering India’s tertiary population greater access to world-class learning and skilling opportunities.

The ongoing prioritisation of building strong international relationships will foster strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide, presenting expanded opportunities for Indian students to pursue higher education abroad. These partnerships will not only facilitate student exchanges but also drive collaborative research initiatives, providing students access to cutting-edge developments across various fields.

Under the 'Skill India' mission, there will be a heightened focus on equipping students with practical skills that meet global standards. This will involve fortifying the link between industry and academia to ensure that educational programs align with the demands of the global job market. Furthermore, the expansion of international internships, apprenticeships, and training programs will offer students valuable hands-on experience.

• International knowledge mobility roadmap: India is actively working towards establishing itself on the global knowledge map, and this vision appears to be well within reach on a significant scale. With a robust platform in place, India is set to enhance the two-way flow of academic and skilled knowledge transfer, contributing to global research excellence and yielding impactful outcomes.

Efforts will be made to simplify and expedite the visa process, thereby encouraging more students to explore international educational opportunities. Additionally, bilateral agreements between India and other countries are expected to incorporate provisions for facilitating smoother student exchanges and mutual recognition of qualifications.

• International branch campuses: As FHEIs express interest in establishing branch campuses and contributing to courses and curriculum in India, they are poised to bring about significant advancements in learning methods and approaches. By establishing clear protocols and deliberating on best practices, these collaborative initiatives are set to be transformative in the long term.
• Reaping advantages of digitisation: A stronger international position will help India’s younger population earn the dividends of India’s steady digitisation and access to academic and professional pursuits that were deemed hard to attain till recently. The global Indian citizen has covered significant ground and is set to take the stage.

The government's push towards a digital India and increased digital penetration in India will see further integration of online education platforms and virtual classrooms. This is coupled with greater access to international courses and degrees through branch campuses for Indian students, often at a fraction of the cost of traditional overseas education. This shift will democratize education while making it more accessible to a broader segment of the population.

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The theme of ‘One World, One Family’ will put India’s leadership position in knowledge at the forefront and India can look forward to critically and constructively leveraging its knowledge soft power.

Deakin University celebrates 30 years of engagement ‘in India, with India, for India’ in 2024 and looks forward to doing more ahead through its immersive partnerships across India’s academic, industrial, and governance landscape.