Deakin University has opened its doors to a new chapter in India, welcoming its inaugural group of students at the GIFT City Campus in Gujarat. This marks the start of classes at the country’s first-ever international university branch campus.
The initial group of students is embarking on their academic journey by pursuing a Master of Cyber Security (Professional) or Master of Business Analytics, right in their home country at GIFT City on India’s west coast.
Deakin’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Iain Martin, expressed his enthusiasm for the campus’s first day of classes. He highlighted the fulfillment of a promise made to India, seeing the campus filled with students. The concept, born less than two years ago, has now come to fruition with a fully functional Deakin teaching campus, a world-first for Indian students.
Professor Martin emphasized Deakin’s long-standing commitment to India, describing this milestone as the most significant moment in the 30-year Deakin-India relationship. The GIFT City Campus offers an Australian education model with integrated industry placements and partnerships, ensuring students receive a practical, future-ready education.
Deakin’s dedication to delivering top-tier education involves collaborating with local industry and businesses, fostering strong, meaningful partnerships. This approach ensures students graduate with both a world-class education and established connections with some of the world’s top organizations and employers.
Deakin Vice-President (Global Alliances) and CEO (South Asia) Ms. Ravneet Pawha described this as a landmark moment for the enduring friendship between India and Australia, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Deakin’s impact in India. The campus represents a new era for India, showcasing what can be achieved through strong partnerships and friendships. It also introduces innovative ways of learning, thinking, and responding to the needs of emerging industries and the significant demand for work-ready graduates capable of navigating a new corporate and business landscape.
Ms. Pawha highlighted Deakin’s proactive engagement with the corporate sector, developing content and programs that align with industry needs. This strategy ensures that students are prepared to meet the demands of top employers globally. She expressed confidence that Deakin’s graduates will be among the most sought-after not only in India but worldwide.
With the largest international student cohort, Deakin’s Indian-diaspora alumni network boasts over 20,000 graduates globally. One of the foundation students at GIFT City, Akshita Karlapati, shared her excitement about joining the growing Deakin alumni. Having relocated more than 1400 kilometers to study Business Analytics at Deakin, she feels honored to be part of this historic initiative and is eager to earn an internationally recognized degree within India.
Akshita is enthusiastic about the opportunities that her studies at Deakin GIFT City will open up for her. She dreams of becoming a Business Analyst and believes that the education and connections she gains at Deakin will pave the way for her aspirations and help her achieve her goals.
Deakin University’s new campus at GIFT City signifies a significant development in international education within India. It provides Indian students with access to world-class education without leaving their home country, fostering closer ties between India and Australia and preparing students for global careers.
