University of Western Australia to set up its first India campus, eyes Mumbai as hub
The University of Western Australia (UWA), ranked among the world's top 100 universities, has submitted an application to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish multiple branch campuses in India, with Mumbai selected as the primary hub. UWA is set to become the first Australian Group of Eight (Go8) university – often likened to the Ivy League – to set up a physical campus in India.
The announcement was made today during the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) at the Jio World Centre, where UWA Chancellor Diane Smith-Gander held a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
UWA aims to harness India's position as the second-largest innovation ecosystem in the world. It plans to offer a range of undergraduate and master's programs in STEM, Business, and Creative industries, including offerings from the renowned UWA Conservatorium of Music. Subject to approvals from the UGC and UWA Senate, campuses are also proposed in Tamil Nadu.
Founded in 1911 and ranked 77 globally, UWA is a public research university based in Perth, Western Australia. It is consistently ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide and holds the top position in graduate employability in Western Australia. UWA boasts an impressive alumni network, including Australian Prime Ministers, High Court Justices, Nobel Laureates, and Fields Medal winner Akshay Venkatesh.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the initiative, stating: ' Mumbai continues to attract the brightest minds from across the country, and Navi Mumbai is fast emerging as a leading educational and innovation hub. We are proud to welcome UWA to Maharashtra as it builds on our strong ties with the Government of Western Australia.'
Chancellor Diane Smith-Gander emphasized the university's longstanding engagement with India, noting collaborations in agriculture, plant sciences, and business, and reiterated UWA's commitment to support India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
With India's higher education sector projected to grow by 60% over the next decade, UWA's presence will help address the rising demand for world-class education. Students at the India campus will have the option to transfer to UWA's Crawley campus in Perth, and vice versa, creating rich opportunities for global academic exchange and career advancement.
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