The decision on whether to study abroad or not, and if yes, which university to opt for generally depends on the quality of education offered, the employability quotient and the associated costs. The discovery of Australia as a higher education destination is a recent one but the speed of acceptance has posed a serious challenge to the traditional destinations. Several Indian students have started to opt for Australia as the destination of choice because of growing awareness of its ability to provide internationally ranked education at an affordable price.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is one such example in Australia; it ranks among the best in the world and is consistently witnessing a rise in the number of Indian students on its sprawling campus. With the increase in student numbers and high rankings, UNSW has maintained its place as a preferred higher education hub, for both — undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Its offering of Pathway programmes could become a game-changer for students aspiring for under graduate studies, who might not immediately meet the university’s tough entry and eligibility criteria.
With over 60,000 students, UNSW continues to prove that volume and quality are in fact, compatible. Moreover, one-third of this student population is international, reflecting the university’s commitment to a global learning experience and what a future work ethos would be like.
One of UNSW’s biggest USPs, is that it perceives education as a means rather than an end itself. This is how UNSW stands out from its counterparts, which tend to see education as a business proposition. Instead, UNSW views it as an opportunity to transform lives by creating global and industry-ready leaders. With this, the university has further augmented its employability culture. This is besides it being already renowned for alumni that include stalwart CEOs and in government.
These unique attributes make UNSW stand out and continue to make a host of high-achieving Indian students gravitate towards the university. This is fuelled by the university’s initiatives to constantly enhance the living and learning experiences of current students. Even alumni have testified to the same, along with reaffirming its focus on project-based experiential and team-driven learning in a multicultural environment rather than a didactic approach.
As opposed to several other international universities, UNSW has maintained a strong connection of over seven decades with India. It has heavily invested in this India association, with Vice Chancellors perceiving higher education tie-ups as key foreign policy pillars to augment bilateral relations. Decades later, this visionary approach is being embraced and actioned by a host of others, including the government. During the 2014 visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Australia, both Prime Ministers identified collaboration in higher education as a key strategic pillar in the bilateral relationship.
Apart from premier quality education, high global rankings, immersive learning experiences, and a high employability quotient, UNSW provides students with the opportunity to be part of a culture that synergizes with India’s aspirations. With this, it continues to be the fore of India’s engagement strategy.
Starting this year, the university has initiated a tri-semester model, which would enable an enhanced ‘beyond the classroom’ learning experience as a critical part of holistic education. It is offering the same along with its renowned Future Of Change scholarship for meritorious Indian students.
UNSW is committed to its India Strategy outlined in 2016 of building robust partnerships with like-minded and prestigious Indian institutions so as to contribute towards high-ed research that finds solutions to the developmental challenges that plague humankind. At the same time, UNSW is also committed to helping transform India’s young demographics into a dividend through a future ready learning experience.
Author Profile
Mr. Amit Dasgupta, Inaugural India Country Director, UNSW
Mr. Amit Dasgupta is the inaugural India Country Director for UNSW. Based in New Delhi, Mr. Dasgupta’s role is to strengthen and deepen UNSW’s ties with India across education, knowledge exchange and research.
Prior to UNSW, Mr. Dasgupta was based in Mumbai as the Head of the SP Jain School of Management’s new campus.
Mr. Dasgupta has had an illustrious diplomatic career and has served in a range of overseas postings including- India’s Consul General in Sydney (2009-12), Ambassador to the Philippines as well as other stints serving in Germany, Belgium, Egypt and Nepal. He also served as the Ministry of External Affairs’ Director of Finance and was the first head of the Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Division.
Amit Dasgupta’s association with UNSW stems from the time he was India’s Consul General in Sydney (2009-12). He was instrumental in the installation of the Mahatma Gandhi bust and the creation of UNSW’s signature Annual Gandhi Oration. NSW Community Relations Commission awarded him a medal for his exemplary efforts to promote harmony in Sydney.
He has authored and edited a number of books, including The House and other stories, Lessons from Ruslana, The lost Fragrance, Indian by Choice and India for a Billion Reasons.
