A new agreement struck between India and Australia will provide students with greater certainty the qualifications they attain will be recognised by both countries.
The Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications is India's most comprehensive education agreement of its type with another country.
Australia's Minister for Education Jason Clare and India's Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship the Hon Shri Dharmendra Pradhan signed the mechanism during a meeting in New Delhi this week.
The mechanism means that an Indian student can be sure that a degree they obtain from an Australian university will be recognised if they want to continue higher education in India.
For both Indian and Australian institutions, the mechanism opens a world of possibilities to develop flexible and innovative partnerships between the two countries.
Ministers Pradhan and Clare also reaffirmed their commitment to establish an Australia India Working Group on Transnational Partnerships to further opportunities for greater institutional collaboration.
The working group is expected to report to Ministers at the next Australia India Education and Skills Council meeting later this year.
In addition to the Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, a further 11 memoranda of understandings were signed today between Australian and Indian education counterparts.
These institutions are driving the bilateral cooperation between India and Australia across a wide range of fields including bio-innovation and law.
Minister Clare and Minister Pradhan will meet again later this year when they co-chair the Australia India Education and Skills Council meeting with the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP, Minister for Skills and Training.
Quotes attributable to Australian Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"This agreement locks in the rules for mutual recognition to access education in both our countries, including the qualifications we provide online and offshore.
"This will deliver immediate benefits for students and higher education institutions in both our countries.
"This week's signing reflects the strong and mutually beneficial relationship between India and Australia.
"Australia's universities are well placed to contribute to India achieving its domestic education goals and to supporting the skills and employment needs of key Indian industries."
