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Albanese trembles over new education pact with India

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Australian and Indian graduates will be able to get more out of their degrees with a new agreement between the two nations that increases recognition of qualifications.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Australia-India’s new educational qualifications recognition mechanism while leading a business delegation through the South Asian nation.

“This new mechanism means that if you are an Indian student studying, or about to study, in Australia, your hard-earned degree will be recognized when you return home,” he said.

“Or if you are a member of Australia’s large Indian diaspora, you can feel more confident that your Indian qualifications will be recognized in Australia.

“It paves the way for business opportunities for Australian education providers to offer innovative and more accessible education to Indian students.”

The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Deakin University will travel along with the Prime Minister and have announced an initial allocation of $4 million for 100 students to study cyber security and business analytics at a new campus in India each year.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said it was important that education be front and center, with more than 1.5 million Indian students graduating with an Australian university degree since 2005.

“The answers to the toughest challenges are found in research and education, and Australia and India do very well,” he said.

“Australia’s universities are also providing a world-class education for an increasing number of Indian students. We can build on this, for the benefit of both nations.”

The University of Melbourne is also working towards a double science degree with three Indian universities.

Mr Albanese said the presence of Australian universities having a presence in India provides a foundation for tertiary institutions in both nations to build stronger partnerships.

“Of course, we always welcome students to come and study in Australia, and that will continue to be a major focus for us,” he said.

“But not everyone has the means or the ability to pack their bags and study in another country.

“So the presence of Australian universities in India opens up new ways for Indian students to get an Australian education by bringing Australia a little closer.”

-AAP