Power of education not only changes lives, India and Australia ties

New Delhi, 02 Mar 2023: The visiting Australian delegation led by Education Minister Mr. Jason Clare held a high-level meeting with the Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and participated in student engagement programs in New Delhi today. 

Power of education not only changes lives, Indian and Australian ties

Both sides held discussions to take their partnership in the education sector forward in areas of the school, higher and vocational education. They discussed ways to deepen engagements to empower youth in both countries and make the education & skills sector more vibrant. 

The two Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing institutional collaboration and two-way mobility by exploring the delivery of transnational education in the higher education, skills, and research sectors. The Minister for Education, Australia, Mr. Jason Clare is on a 5-day visit to India from 28th February to 4th March 2023 to foster India-Australia relations in the field of education.

Both Ministers attended the student engagement event, “Deepening Ties through Two-way mobility” at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi in the morning today. The other distinguished guests included Australian High Commissioner to India H.E. Barry O’ Farrell, and former International Cricketer Mr. Adam Gilchrist, who is also a Global Brand Ambassador of, the University of Wollongong. A delegation comprising Vice Chancellors/ Provosts of 21 Australian Universities also attended the event.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that India and Australia are deepening ties 

While addressing the gathering, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that India and Australia are deepening ties through two-way mobility to fulfill 21st-century aspirations. He further said that Education is the key to all transformation. Therefore, education is the natural ‘mother ’ for all transformation and partnerships. 

Shri Pradhan further said that strengthening educational linkages will provide opportunities for students from both countries to learn and gain new experiences in diverse cultural settings, thereby truly upholding the values of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, and One Future”, which is also the theme of India’s G20 Presidency. Shri Pradhan informed us that two Australian universities will soon establish campuses in the GIFT CITY of Gujarat. He reiterated that India remains committed to partner Australia to make quality education more accessible and affordable.

Mr. Jason Clare, in his address, said that this is a high-powered delegation comprising educational policymakers and university administrative stakeholders that shall pave way for collaborative tie-ups with India. What happens in universities can change the world as the power of education not only changes the lives of individuals but transforms nations. 

What it was 50 years ago and that is because of education

He said that many Australians who have been educated at the University of Delhi are now making a mark in the world. Australia is a different country today than what it was 50 years ago and that is because of education. He informed me that the University of Delhi has a Memorandum of Understandings with 3 Australian Universities; the University of Wollongong, Macquarie University, and Melbourne University.  Tomorrow 10 new MOUs will be signed, he informed. Such educational MoUs between the two countries will pave way for setting up a mechanism for mutual recognition of professionalism too, the Australian Minister said.

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Minister Clare also expressed his thanks and gratitude to Minister Pradhan for his kind welcome and hospitality and said that he looks forward to their meeting again at Australia- India Education and Skills Council to be held later this year.

Adam Gilchrist stressed deepening the ties between India and Australia in the field of education. India, through its NEP, he said, can be the ground for future educational strategies and policies of the world. Knowledge, education, and expertise are of mutual benefit and the youth of today are living windows of that future as education is the common passion between the 2 nations.

Prof. C. Sheela Reddy, Principal, of Sri Venkateswara College delivered the welcome address. Shri. Y.V. Subba Rao, Chairman, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, informed the gathering that Sri Venkateswara College offers graduate, postgraduate, and certificate courses in diverse fields.

The spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat

There was an interactive session that followed where students raised their queries to the Education Ministers of both countries which were answered at length by the dignitaries. They also witnessed a cultural program depicting Indian dance forms of different Indian States showcasing the spirit of Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat. A friendly cricket match was also held at the Sri Venkateswara College with a guest appearance by  Mr. Adam Gilchrist.

Later, the two Ministers visited Kendriya Vidyalaya No2, Delhi Cantonment where the Australian Minister interacted with the school students and took a round of the school premises- Primary Classes I and II, Atal Tinkering Labs, Science Laboratories, and Computer lab.   

They also witnessed a cultural program showcasing a dance performance on the theme ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ and a yoga presentation. The young students and neoteric innovators gave a glimpse of the activity-based, joyful, and curiosity-driven learning practiced in our classrooms as envisaged in the NEP 2020.

Mr. Jason Clare expressed great joy at the unique creativity of the school students, especially at the remarkable models showcased at the Atal Tinkering lab, where the students demonstrated the models made them. 

The visit concluded with a plantation drive at the school premises.

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