Australian universities to open campuses in India soon: Margaret Gardner

Stating that most of the students coming to Australia for higher education from India come to the state of Victoria, the Governor of Victoria Prof. Margaret Gardner said Australia's universities are also in the process of starting their campuses in India.

Governor Prof. Margaret Gardner along with a delegation from the state of Victoria was speaking to Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais at Raj Bhavan Mumbai on Thursday (6).

Prof. Gardner said that the number of Indians in Australia's state of Victoria is large and that they are contributing significantly to the civic, culture and industry sector. Mentioning that Melbourne has a cultural association of the people from Maharashtra, she said Mumbai-Melbourne direct flight will broaden the relationship between Maharashtra and Victoria state.

Prof Gardner remarked that cricket is not only a sport but also a profitable industry in India and Australia. She told the Governor that the biggest Indian film festival held outside the country is held in Melbourne.

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Prof Gardner said earlier students from Australia went to England and USA under the student exchange visits, but today many students are coming to India at institutions like Tata Institute of Social Sciences, IITs, etc.

Welcoming the Governor of Victoria for her visit to the state for promoting economic, educational and cultural cooperation between Maharashtra and Victoria, Governor Bais urged her to increase cooperation with the universities of Maharashtra. He said Maharashtra is a major educational hub of India and as Governor of the State he is the chancellor of 26 universities in the state.

The Governor said India aims to achieve the Gross Enrollment Ratio of 50 percent by 2035. In this connection he sought the cooperation of Victoria in skilling the youthful population of India. The Governor expressed confidence that the Mumbai-Melbourne direct flight will boost trade, mutual relations and tourism.

Head of the Australian Consulate in Mumbai Majell Hind, Official Secretary of Victoria Governor Jonathan Patrick Burke, South Asia Commissioner of Victoria State Michelle Wade, Robert Holland, Vidyanand Sagaram and Garima Shewkani were present on this occasion.