New Delhi [India], December 8 (ANI): Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart, Jason Clare, during the 3rd Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) Meeting in New Delhi. India is hosting the high-level dialogue, with Pradhan and Skill Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary leading discussions from the Indian side. The meeting marks a renewed push to deepen education and skills cooperation between the two countries.
A high-level delegation from Australia — including Education Minister Jason Clare, Immigration and Citizenship Minister Andrew Giles, and Assistant Minister for Education Julian Hill — is in Delhi for the talks. Top university leaders and regulatory officials from Australia are scheduled to meet their Indian counterparts to strengthen cooperation in higher education, skills development, and research.
Key areas under discussion include strengthening higher education links, particularly as seven Australian universities have announced plans to set up campuses in India. Officials are also focusing on aligning teacher-education standards and early childhood education qualifications, as well as promoting innovation in education delivery, building on recent collaboration between India and Australia in this area.
The Australian Education Ministry described India as “one of Australia’s most important education partners.” AIESC, the ministry noted, plays a critical role in enhancing collaboration and building the education, research, and skills base of both countries.
The Australian delegation includes vice-chancellors from major universities such as the University of New South Wales, University of Western Australia, Flinders University, Western Sydney University, and James Cook University, along with senior officials from regulatory bodies including TEQSA, Jobs and Skills Australia, ASQA, and ACARA.
Overall, the AIESC meeting highlights both countries’ commitment to expanding cooperation in education, skills, research, and innovation — a partnership expected to deepen academic and vocational linkages between India and Australia in the coming years.
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