The University of Queensland Expands India Footprint Through High-Impact Research and Academic Partnerships

~Building on long-standing institutional relationships, UQ’s latest India engagement strengthens co-created partnerships spanning research, education and global innovation~

India, May 28, 2026: The University of Queensland (UQ), ranked among the world’s top 50 leading teaching and research institutions, has concluded a visit to Delhi and Chennai, strengthening high-impact partnerships with leading Indian institutions and government.

Led by Chancellor Mr Peter N Varghese AO and President & Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC, the visit reinforced UQ’s strategic focus on India and its commitment to advancing bilateral ties through education, research, and innovation.

The delegation met with key diplomatic and government bodies, including the Australian High Commission, the Australian Consulate-General in Chennai, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, and the University Grants Commission, to explore new opportunities and align collaboration with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 priorities.

The visit included engagement with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), UQ’s long-standing partner and co-founder of the flagship joint PhD program, the UQ-IITD Research Academy. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration across faculty exchange, joint research, and industry engagement, alongside a five-year renewal of the Academy partnership. A leading model of Australia–India research cooperation, the Academy supports 133 doctoral researchers and has produced 23 graduates.

UQ signed a new agreement with Lady Shri Ram College for Women to expand academic exchange and international learning, while strengthening partnerships with SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) Chennai. More than 200 students from SRMIST and VIT combined have already progressed to UQ through these pathways, with a focus on expanding student mobility and research collaboration in key disciplines, including science, biotechnology, engineering, and technology.

Meetings with IDP Education, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and the Asha Community Health and Development Society identified new opportunities to expand collaboration in research and student mobility. In Chennai, the University also hosted industry leaders for a roundtable focused on strengthening research translation and developing future-ready talent.

An Alumni and Friends reception in New Delhi brought together graduates, partners and stakeholders to strengthen connections and celebrate the University’s growing presence in India. With almost 3,000 alumni across the country, UQ’s community in India continues to play a vital role in advancing engagement, collaboration and shared success.

Professor Deborah Terry AC, President and Vice-Chancellor of UQ, said the Research Showcase at the UQ–IITD Research Academy demonstrated the powerful outcomes that can be achieved through deep, sustained collaboration. “We have seen the depth and breadth of collaborative research across a range of critical areas, from energy and sustainability to digital technologies to health and biomedical sciences,” Professor Terry said.

“UQ’s partnerships in India are not simply about generating excellent research outputs; they are also about creating a pipeline of globally connected researchers, equipped to work across borders, across disciplines, and across sectors. And it is about fostering talent that understands both the complexity of the challenges we face and the value of collaboration in addressing them.”

UQ currently holds 43 active agreements with 30 institutions across India, spanning joint research, student mobility, dual and joint degrees, and industry-linked collaboration – reflecting a broad and deeply embedded partnership across priority disciplines.

Mr Peter N Varghese AO, Chancellor of UQ, said the mission highlighted the critical role universities play in strengthening bilateral ties at a time of growing strategic importance.

“India is a key partner for Australia – and universities are central to this relationship, building capability, driving discovery, and fostering the enduring people-to-people links that support long-term, sustainable collaboration.

“Our discussions with partners in India consistently reinforce a shared ambition – to work together more deeply, address common challenges, and unlock new opportunities that will deliver lasting benefits for both countries.”

This visit marked Mr Varghese’s final official engagement in India as UQ Chancellor, concluding a tenure during which he has played a significant role in advancing Australia–India engagement. As former Australian High Commissioner to India and Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he has championed stronger academic, research, and policy linkages between the two countries.

UQ continues to strengthen its position among the world’s leading institutions, ranked #42 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Reflecting its growing international reputation for excellence in education and research, UQ has also been recognized as Australia’s top-ranked university and placed 38th worldwide in TIME Magazine’s inaugural World’s Top Universities 2026 rankings.