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The University of Melbourne, in collaboration with the Australian High Commission in Delhi and India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), hosted an Internationalisation Workshop at its Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi.
The event provided a roadmap for Indian universities to establish dual and joint degree programs, focusing on regulatory frameworks, international credit systems, and strategies for cross-border academic partnerships.
The workshop, attended by multiple Indian university leaders, aligns with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises internationalisation and flexible learning models. By introducing transnational education (TNE) through dual degrees and blended programs, Indian students can access top-ranked global universities while remaining connected to local opportunities. This approach ensures affordability, flexibility and relevance in India’s diverse educational landscape.
Since 2008, the University of Melbourne has been working with Indian organisations to develop scalable models to strengthen institutional capacity. Its Bachelor of Science (Blended) program, launched in 2016, is now offered at five Indian universities, including University of Madras and Savitribai Phule Pune University. Co-developed with Indian institutions, the program ensures cultural relevance while reducing financial barriers to global education.
Professor Rita John, Head of the Department of Theoretical Physics and Coordinator of the B.Sc. (Blended) Science Program at University of Madras, said: “The Dual Degree program’s structure—where Indian professors teach the first four semesters—bridges the academic gap for students transitioning directly from school, giving them a strong foundation before studying at Melbourne.”
In March 2023, the University of Melbourne introduced a dual Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) degree, also known as BSc Dual Degree, which allows students to undertake their studies in both India and Australia. Shoolini University was the first Indian partner institution to offer this dual degree program. This model allows students to complete two years of study in India, significantly lowering costs compared to full overseas degrees.
Discussions are currently underway with other leading Indian universities interested in joining the program, including institutions that participated in the workshop to explore transnational education opportunities.
Australian Minister-Counsellor for Education & Research, George Thiveos stressed the bilateral importance of this collaboration: “Education is a great way to connect our societies, but it shouldn’t be a one-way street. That’s why we fully support initiatives such as this that reflect our joint commitment to creating pathways for Indian students to access global opportunities while fostering long-term strategic collaborations between Australian and Indian universities.”
Professor Muthupandian Ashokkumar, Director of the Melbourne Global Centre – Delhi, reflected on the strategic approach: “Our partnerships are designed to build long-term capacity. The BSc Blended program, co-developed with Indian universities, ensures students receive a globally recognised foundation”.
“Our dual degree model, launched in 2023, offers pathways for students to study in Melbourne. These programs are part of a decade-long effort, supported by PhD scholarships and research collaborations through the Melbourne India Postgraduate Academy (MIPA),” Professor Ashokkumar explained.
Established in 2018, MIPA has enrolled joint PhD candidates from top Indian institutions like IIT Kharagpur and IISc Bangalore, with several completions recorded last year. The initiative has facilitated over 70 academic exchanges and generated ₹26.5 crore (AU$5 million) in external research funding through partnerships like the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) and the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).
The University of Melbourne continues to explore new disciplines for its blended learning model while deepening partnerships with Indian institutions, ensuring students and institutions are equipped to excel in a global academic landscape.
