Six of the seven Australian universities making up the consortium – Flinders University, Griffith University, James Cook University, La Trobe University, University of Canberra, and Western Sydney University – will develop the consortium campus.
Unlike its counterparts in the GIFT City, the campus will be set up under the University Grants Commission Regulations 2023.
Stakeholders say the consortium is the first of its kind for Australian higher education institutions.
It will see a group of Australian universities working together to scale up the delivery of Australian degrees offshore – the first time that a group of Australian universities has teamed up in this way
Paul Harris, IRU Australia
“It will see a group of Australian universities working together to scale up the delivery of Australian degrees offshore – the first time that a group of Australian universities has teamed up in this way,” Paul Harris, IRU executive director, told The PIE News.
According to Harris, the campus will offer courses that align with those already available at the universities’ campuses in Australia.
Additionally, the campus will adhere to the standards set by Australia’s higher education quality assurance agency.
The PIE understands that the undergraduate courses will focus on areas such as cyber security, software engineering, tourism and hospitality, artificial intelligence, financial technology, and sports management.
“Degrees will be granted by the individual Australian university, and will be recognised as Australian degrees,” explained Harris.
“The proposed consortium campus will allow students to access an Australian education and Australian qualifications without the need to travel internationally.”
Harris believes the variety of courses will help IRU produce graduates who will meet India’s current and future needs.
Although IRU plans to establish the campus in the coming years, no specific month or year has been decided yet.
Meanwhile, the coalition is actively working on an MOU with the northern Indian state of Haryana.
With the consortium looking to deliver a wide range of programs, it is considering locations in the state for its campus.
“IRU universities are characterised by their commitment to opening up access to higher education – particularly for students from under-represented backgrounds – innovative approaches to curriculum, and partnerships with industry to ensure that students have excellent employment outcomes,” said Harris.
“In order to achieve these outcomes, flexibility of course offering is essential, which is why the consortium is seeking a location that will permit a wide spectrum of disciplines.”
UK-based public research university, the University of Southampton, is one such institution that is establishing a campus in Gurgaon city’s International Tech Park in Haryana.
According to statistics released by IRU, 21% of the students at its member institutions are international students.
Moreover, India is the number one source country for international students among all IRU members.
With campuses in Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the UAE, India has now emerged as a “natural fit” for the consortium.
“IRU member universities already have strong relationships with India in both education and research, and have extensive experience in transnational education (TNE),” said Harris.
“India is the number one source country for international students across IRU members, and research collaboration between India and IRU members has increased five-fold in the past decade.”
Uncertainty surrounding Australia’s ESOS Amendment Bill, which includes caps on international enrolment, has negatively impacted international students’ outlook on the country as a study destination.
New data shows that approximately 15,000 student visa applications were submitted in Australia this August, a significant drop from around 30,000 applications in the same month of 2023.
While this might prompt many Australian universities to seek more offshore and TNE opportunities, IRU’s campus proposal in India “predates the recent discussions in Australia around international student caps”.
“It was devised as a way for our members to expand their degree programs to more students in India who wish to receive an Australian tertiary education by offering an innovative approach to transnational education,” said Harris.
“IRU member universities are collaborating to build upon their individual experience with operating successful overseas campuses in other countries – IRU universities are significantly above the Australian average for offshore delivery as part of their international student cohorts.”
