THREE AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES Get Permission To Open New Campuses In Delhi NCR, MUMBAI & BENGALURU
- Staff Writer
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
Victoria University (VU), Western Sydney University (WSU), and La Trobe University have secured official approval from the Indian government to establish full-scale campuses in India.
This marks a historic expansion of Australian higher education institutions into one of the world’s fastest-growing education markets. It underscores the growing educational and economic ties between Australia and India under India’s transformative National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The announcement was made at a ceremony in New Delhi attended by India’s Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, where the universities were presented with a Letter of Intent from the University Grants Commission (UGC)
The VU Block Model®
Victoria University said it will seek education partners and to set up the new campus, and is targeting operational readiness by 2027. The campus will be located in the Delhi National Capital Region.
A defining feature of the new campus will be the integration of Victoria University’s internationally acclaimed VU Block Model®.
This innovative teaching method, first introduced by VU in Australia and now the largest of its kind outside North America, breaks down courses into focused four-week blocks where students engage deeply with one subject at a time through interactive, workshop-style learning.
The Block Model is widely praised for improving student outcomes by fostering stronger teacher-student engagement, smaller class sizes, and practical, career-relevant skills.
Victoria University plans to offer a diverse suite of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research courses across the new campus. Planned areas of study include business, data science, cybersecurity, information technology management, and more — fields prioritised for India’s emerging knowledge economy.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) Monty Singh expressed enthusiasm about building on VU’s deep connections with India: “We look forward to working alongside local partners to share knowledge, deliver industry-focused qualifications and make a real contribution to India’s National Education Policy”.
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Professor John Germov highlighted the university’s commitment to mutual learning and innovation with Indian stakeholders: “The opportunity to share our unique VU Block Model with industry, students, and teachers in India is tremendous. We are focused on ensuring the model remains at the forefront of industry needs and prepares graduates who can positively impact one of the strongest economies in the world”.
Victoria University already maintains a strong offshore presence in Asia with campuses and partnerships in China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
WSU To Focus On Business, Innovation & Ag-Tech
Western Sydney University will establish its state-of-the-art campus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh by 2026.
WSU will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs initially focused on Business Analytics, Business Marketing, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Logistics & Supply Chain Management.
The Greater Noida campus is set to become a vibrant hub of teaching, research, and innovation with special emphasis on agricultural technology (Ag-Tech), reflecting collaborations in food and water security, climate resilience, and technological advancement.
Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams AO said: “This campus will create life-changing opportunities for students and future leaders, contributing to India’s economic and social transformation... By taking Western Sydney to the world, the campus will also provide new opportunities for Australian students and local businesses”.
WSU will partner closely with Indian institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), tapping into joint research projects and industry initiatives aimed at sustainable development.
La Trobe University In Bengaluru
According to news reports in the Indian media, La Trobe University will set up its campus in the country's tech hub Bengaluru.
The La Trobe campus will offer undergraduate courses in Business (Finance, Marketing, Management), Computer Science (AI, Software Engineering), and Public Health.
India’s New National Education Policy
India’s NEP, launched in 2020, aims to overhaul the country's education system by promoting interdisciplinary learning and international collaboration.
Among its key objectives is to open the Indian higher education market to reputed foreign institutions, enabling them to directly establish campuses in India.
The University Grants Commission’s 2023 regulation formalised this move by authorising foreign universities ranked in the global top 500 to set up campuses independently in India.
Besides Victoria University, Western Sydney University and La Trobe University, international counterparts like the University of Bristol from the UK have also been granted licences to establish a campus in Mumbai.
This development complements growing educational and cultural exchanges between Australia and India, which rank India among the top source countries for international students in Australia.
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