In recent years, Australia has rapidly emerged as a preferred higher education destination for Indian students. There are good reasons for this. Australia provides top quality study and research opportunities coupled with a global living experience. Given the rupee-dollar exchange rate, it is also significantly cheaper than studying in the U.S. Work-study rights are, furthermore, a great attraction and, in any case, a multicultural and welcoming environment scores strongly over any other plus points.
Expanding opportunities
Evidence suggests that over the next few years, the workplace would undergo a dramatic shift from what we are currently used to. Globalisation is likely to usher in the virtual office space where people from different time zones and culturally diverse regions will interact and get jobs done through technology rather than face-to-face. This dramatic shift would require a workforce that is able to seamlessly transition to such an environment. The current pedagogy in Australian universities is doing precisely this.
Working in a multicultural environment is another great advantage. For Indian students, this is a massive change in terms of what we are otherwise used to — many Indians study in the cities where they are born.
For the rapidly growing and aspiring Indian middle-class, studying abroad is an expenditure that they are willing and able to incur for their children, if there is assurance of high-quality employability. Evidence demonstrates that Australian universities have a high employability quotient in leading multinational and Australian companies, including as CEOs. This provides confidence to parents that the money they spend on their children’s education is, in fact, an investment.
Research collaboration is yet another area of convergence and synergy that is fast growing between Australian and Indian institutions. Impactful and breakthrough research carried out in Australian universities, such as, on photovoltaics, quantum computing, sustainable housing, smart transport, energy, water, mining, waste management, cervical cancer, optometry, to name a few, are all areas that lie at the heart of India’s aspirations and concerns. On each of these areas, Australian universities not only have proven expertise but international recognition. The strengthening bilateral relations suggest the meaningful participation of Australian scientists and researchers in impacting India’s developmental interests.
Indeed, it would be fair to say that through a series of government-to-government and people-to-people contact between India and Australia, there is greater awareness of the multiple areas of commonality and synergy between both countries. This strengthening perception will positively impact bilateral relations and contribute towards the emergence of Australia as a preferred higher education destination for Indian students.
The writer is a former Indian diplomat, was Consul General in Sydney
