University Of Western Australia To Open Campuses In India

Paul Murphy - Consul General of Australia in Mumbai (extreme left) and Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis (fourth from right). Photo: UWA

The University of Western Australia (UWA) has become the first Australian Group of Eight university to receive approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish international branch campuses in the country.

Under India’s National Education Policy 2020, UWA will open its first campus in Mumbai, followed by a second in Chennai. Both campuses will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a focus on STEM and business disciplines. The development marks a new chapter for Australian universities in India. 

“This milestone reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global collaboration, and solidifies our commitment to being a leading university in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Diane Smith-Gander, UWA Chancellor. 

Promoting Inclusivity

Diane Smith-Gander, UWA Chancellor. Photo: UWA

According to UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, the approval reflected a shared commitment to academic excellence and global collaboration. “This solidifies our position as a leading university in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

In a move to promote inclusive education, UWA has partnered with the Avasara Academy, a philanthropic initiative supporting young women leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds in India. The partnership will provide full scholarships to talented girls who might otherwise be unable to access a world-class education.

UWA has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian tech giant HCLTech to develop short courses and innovation hubs across its campuses in India and Western Australia. The collaboration aims to connect academic research with industry innovation, benefiting students and startups alike.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Guy Littlefair said the partnership with HCLTech would create a dynamic network for entrepreneurship and digital transformation.

The expansion follows high-level talks between UWA and Indian government officials earlier this year and is expected to boost research collaboration, student exchanges, and industry partnerships, strengthening Australia-India ties.

UWA has confirmed that its Indian campuses will maintain the same academic standards as its Perth campus, ensuring students receive a globally recognised education close to home.