Deakin University celebrates 25 years in India

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar with Deakin university Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO

Deakin University has marked 25 historic years in India by announcing a special bursary of AUD$2000 for all Indian residents who study a new online course in hospital administration.

Speaking at an international conference in New Delhi held to recognise the university’s 25-year journey in India, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said Deakin’s new Graduate Certificate in Hospital Administration would be launched on the innovative FutureLearn platform.

“Deakin was the first international university to open an office in India in 1994, the first university in the world to offer complete degrees on the FutureLearn platform, and we have topped student satisfaction surveys in the state of Victoria for the past nine years,” Professor den Hollander said.

“Now with 25-years of history in this wonderful, rapidly-growing country, we want to do even more to directly support Indian students to study with Deakin. The new Graduate Certificate in Hospital Administration starts with a free, two-week ”˜taster’ course ”“ available now ”“ and is a pathway to Deakin’s globally regarded Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management.

“The special AUD$2000 bursary for Indian residents will bring down the total cost of the Graduate Certificate in Hospital Administration to AUD$6000. The Graduate Certificate is offered by Deakin on the FutureLearn platform which brings together global learners from over 190 countries.

“With India facing significant challenges when it comes to educating its next generation of healthcare specialists, Deakin’s new Graduate Certificate in Hospital Administration, offered with a special bursary for Indian residents, is one example of how our countries are working together to prepare global health professionals with specialist knowledge and skills to meet those future challenges.”

Officially opening the international conference in New Delhi, Professor den Hollander recognised Deakin Chancellor Mr John Stanhope AM and Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Her Excellency Ms Harinder Sidhu.

“In 1994, Deakin stepped into India as a joint venture with the Australian Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers to offer management programs through distance learning,” Professor den Hollander said.

“Now we are here with Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Her Excellency Ms Harinder Sidhu, launching new courses on a next generation learning environment with bursary support for Indian residents. We also acknowledge Deakin’s staff, academic collaborators and industry partners who have contributed to what has become a unique example of cross-nation partnership.

“It is a great honour to be leading a delegation to India and have our 25-year journey in this remarkable country recognised in such a way. Our India Office is one of the jewels in the crown of our growth and success over the 45 years of Deakin’s existence from humble beginnings on a green field site at Waurn Ponds in 1974.

“Back in 1893, Alfred Deakin ”“ the Australian Prime Minister for whom our university is named ”“ predicted that students from Australia and India would traverse international borders and form lasting intellectual partnerships. I am proud to say we have achieved so much more than that.

“The early focus was on student enrolments but the relationship has evolved to include partnerships with some of India’s leading universities, research institutions and businesses.

“Over 25 years, Deakin has committed more than AUD$20 million to research and scholarship initiatives in India and has partnerships with dozens of India’s premier universities, research organisations and businesses. More than 60,000 students now study at Deakin, including almost 15,000 international students from 130 countries, including 5277 students from India. We are also proud to be in the top one per cent of universities worldwide across the major international university ranking systems.”

Professor den Hollander said some of the highlights of Deakin’s time in India included:

  • Semester abroad programs, research exchanges, internships, mobility and in-country capacity building programs in areas such as Education Leadership and Sports Management;
  • Teaching and learning partnerships in India with leading Indian academic institutions including Manipal University, Xaviers Group of Institutions, Indian School of Business, Chitkara University, OP Jindal Global University, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA), PSG Group of Institutions, VIT University, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IIS), Symbiosis International University, University of Mumbai and Amity University;
  • Key research collaborations include those with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Shankara Nethralaya, MAX Healthcare, Rajasthan Royals, Reliance Life Sciencesand Bharat Forge;
  • Establishing the TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Research Centre, a $10 million institution that brings together Deakin’s cutting edge expertise in nanomaterials and The Energy Resource Institute of India’s extensive biotech experience; and
  • In a first for India and in partnership with the Tamana School of Hope in New Delhi, delivering the revolutionary TOBY (Therapy Outcomes By You) Playpad, an interactive iPad application developed by Deakin researchers to dramatically improve the way parents interact with their autistic children.

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