The high-level dialogue focuses on deepening the relationship between the two countries, highlighting Australia’s research capabilities and industry engagement model.
The visit will also highlight leading researchers and research centers that have made significant progress in promoting collaborative research efforts between Australia and India.
The consultation will explore expanding partnerships to deliver Australian quality education in India and address skills gaps through education and vocational training programs.
Additionally, Australian institutions such as Deakin University and the University of Wollongong have officially opened campuses in India, and more institutions in the country are expected to follow suit.
Both countries have made significant progress since the first AIESC meeting last November.
Australia and India have successfully completed agricultural skills programs, progressed the introduction of mutual recognition mechanisms for qualifications, and launched a new STEM research fellowship program to support women researchers.
Pradhan also spoke at the 2024 Australian International Education Conference, highlighting India and Australia’s “strong and evolving partnership” in education.
Mr Pradhan will also visit Australian universities, public schools and early childhood education and care centres.
Australian Education Minister Jason Clare said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Minister Pradhan back to Australia for his second visit since 2022.”
“This is the fourth time we have caught up here or in India in the past two years. We look forward to working together to showcase the Australian education system and further strengthen the Australia-India education relationship.”
Australian Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles said: “Australia and India have a close relationship and we are excited to discuss how we can work together more effectively to close important skills gaps and strengthen our relationship. I’m looking forward to it.”
“We will explore how we can work together to build the research talent we need for the future and better support industries in transition.”
We look forward to working together to showcase Australia’s education system and further strengthen the Australia-India education relationship.
Jason Clare, Australian Minister for Education
However, some observers have criticized Australia’s move to strengthen its educational ties with India while restricting international student enrollment in its home country.
“While the Australian Government continues to seek a closer relationship with India and encourage student exchanges and bilateral educational partnerships between institutions, government legislation openly limits the number of international students who can come to Australia. The two objectives are in direct conflict with each other,” said Troy Williams, chief executive of the Independent Tertiary Education Council of Australia (ITECA).
“The Australian government’s focus on reducing the number of international students, including those from India, stands in sharp contrast to the government’s diplomatic efforts to foster growth in education exports.”
Data from January to July 2024 shows that the number of study visas (school, English, skills training, overall higher education) issued to offshore primary applicants from India is the highest since 2018, excluding the pandemic period. It was the lowest.
Only 71 of these students were approved to study in the skills training sector, representing around 10% of applications from this group. This is the lowest number of approved offshore skills training applicants since 2006.
Despite the low visa approval rate for offshore Indian students, the number of applications submitted during this period was the third highest on record.
Prime Minister Clare reinforced Australia’s goal of returning immigration levels to pre-pandemic levels and maintained the government’s position on passing the ESOS amendment bill.
“It’s been 160 days since this bill was introduced in Parliament. It’s time to pass it and repeal Ministerial Direction 107,” Clare told a packed AIEC crowd on Wednesday.
