Global centre, local impact

NINE UK UNIVERSITIES ARE SETTING UPA CAMPUS IN INDIA, BUT AUSTRALIA'S BEST BELIEVES THAT HAVING A NON-TEACHING CENTRE CAN HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT. WHY?

- VIKRAM CHAUDHARY

WHILETHE UK is set to become the largest university supplier to India — there will soon be campuses of nine UK universities here — Australia’s best believes that a much smaller non-teaching centre can also make a big strategic impact.

The University of Melbourne’s Global Centre Delhi has completed a year, and Prof Michael Wesley, deputy vice-chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement), said that it has led to collaboration that has benefited both Australia and India.

“Rather than replicating conventional degrees via a standalone overseas campus, we believe the greatest societal impact comes from flexible shared initiatives that span research, innovation, capacity building, and people-to-people connections,’ Prof Wesley told FE,“In 12 months, the Melbourne Global Centre has established itself as a hub for bilateral cooperation, and has brought together Indian and Australian researchers, government, industry, and community leaders.”