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Dharmendra Pradhan, Education Minister, has embarked on his 4-day visit to Australia to bolster bilateral ties between the two countries and to expand engagements in education, research priorities, and skill development. On August 22, 2022, the Union Minister co-chaired the 6th Australia India Education Council (AIEC).

Dharmendra Pradhan stated that at AIEC 2022, apart from talks of partnership, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also introduced the issue of the numerous pending student visas to his Australian counterpart- Minister Jason Clare. He raised the matter of pending visas of Indian students going to Australia and areas in which countries can work together.

The Australian government has reported that it is working towards expediting the pending student visas of Indian students who are about to commence their higher education journey in Australia. Australia and India aim to collaborate in domains such as Yoga & Agriculture, Ayurveda, curriculum development, skill development, and Digital University. Via the Australia India Education Council, regarded as a highly effective forum, both countries aim to present dual degree programmes to encourage two-way student mobility and boost people-to-people linkages. The idea of growing student mobility comes from the National Education Policy, NEP 2020.

According to the Indian education minister, NEP 2020 has broadened the scope for mutual engagements, especially the internationalization of education and capacity building in skill development. Australia and India will also work toward launching a working group on transnational education to strengthen the existing collaboration and open new opportunities between Higher Education Institutes in both countries.

Both the education ministers agreed to remove barriers that may hinder these collaborations and continue to build on the previous commitments made at AIEC and the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Dharmendra Pradhan stated that India remains determined to build knowledge bridges and aggravate bilateral engagements with Australia in education, skilling, and research for mutual growth and prosperity. Further, Union Minister Pradhan invited Australian Education Minister Jason and his team to execute the 7th AIEC meeting in India.

News Sources: Times Now