Value of international education comes from opportunities across markets, says Amit Chakma, president of UWA

The University of Western Australia (UWA)—a member of Australia’s prestigious, research-intensive Group of Eight—has received approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish campuses in Mumbai and Chennai.

The new hubs will offer a diverse mix of undergraduate and master’s programs, focusing heavily on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), business, and commerce. UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma—who previously served as President of the University of Western Ontario and Provost at the University of Waterloo—discussed the expansion plans and Australia’s appeal for Indian students with Ishani Duttagupta.

He highlighted how the new campuses will grant Indian students direct access to a world-class Australian education at home, while noting that Australia itself remains a top draw for students seeking academic excellence, strong job prospects, safety, and a high quality of life. Below are edited excerpts from the interview.What are the advantages that Indian students enjoy at a premier university such as yours?Indian students today are looking for universities that offer more than a degree.

They are seeking global academic excellence, industry relevance and opportunities that prepare them for a rapidly changing world. UWA is a globally recognised research-intensive university and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8), representing the country’s leading universities. Students benefit from research-led teaching, access to world-class faculty, strong industry connections and an international learning environment.

What sets UWA apart is our focus on developing graduates who are equipped to contribute meaningfully to society and industry. Through industry-integrated learning, internships, research opportunities and global networks, students gain practical exposure alongside academic knowledge.UWA has also built strong engagement with India through academic collaborations, scholarships and the establishment of UWA India campuses in Mumbai and Chennai.

This reflects our long-term commitment to strengthening Australia–India knowledge partnerships and creating more opportunities for Indian students to access a globally recognised UWA education.What is the number of Indian students that you currently have and is this number going up?India is one of UWA’s most important international communities, and we continue to see strong interest from Indian students.

Over the years, the number of Indian students choosing UWA has grown steadily, reflecting the deepening relationship between Australia and India and the confidence students and families place in high-quality international education. Beyond student enrolments in Perth, our engagement with India has expanded significantly through academic partnerships, school and institutional collaborations, scholarship initiatives and pathway programmes.The launch of UWA India campuses in Mumbai and Chennai represents the next phase of this relationship bringing UWA’s academic excellence closer to students in India while strengthening opportunities for students to engage with global learning pathways.What are the subjects and courses that Indian students are choosing to study at UWA?Indian students are increasingly choosing disciplines that align with future economic growth and global workforce needs.

Some of the key areas of interest include engineering, computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, business, finance, health sciences, environmental sciences and emerging fields linked to sustainability and innovation.At UWA India, our initial undergraduate and postgraduate offerings will focus on STEM, business and technology disciplines areas that are critical to India’s development priorities as well as global industry transformation.

We are also seeing increasing interest in interdisciplinary education, where technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and problem-solving come together. This reflects the aspirations of a new generation of students who want to build careers that have global relevance and real-world impact.Australia now has a very high rejection rate for student visas from India – is this leading to a lower number of Indian students in Australia?Visa processes and policy settings are naturally an important consideration for students and families when making decisions about international education and we know government policies around migration and permanent residency can evolve over time.

However, the long-term appeal of a study destination is shaped by multiple factors – the quality of education, global recognition, career outcomes, safety and the overall student experience.At UWA, we continue to see strong interest from Indian students who value a globally recognised education, research excellence and industry-connected learning. Our commitment is to ensure that students from India continue to have access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Through UWA India, we are also creating additional pathways that allow students to experience the academic standards and global reputation of UWA closer to home.Is the employability of international students from your university and the path to permanent residence still an advantage for Indian students choosing to study in Australia?Employability remains one of the key factors influencing students’ decisions about higher education.

Today’s students are looking for universities that provide strong career foundations through practical learning, industry engagement, internships, research opportunities and exposure to global networks. At UWA, we focus on developing graduates with skills that are valued across industries and geographies.

Through our connections with employers, researchers and industry partners, students gain opportunities to understand real-world challenges and build professional capability.

Government policies around migration and permanent residency can evolve over time, and these decisions sit outside the university’s role. However, the lasting value of an international education comes from gaining a globally recognised qualification, transferable skills and the ability to pursue opportunities across markets.Over the past couple of years, the availability of accommodation has become a challenge for Indian students in Australia. Is that also a problem for students at your university?Accommodation availability has become an important consideration as international education has grown globally.

At UWA, student wellbeing and experience remain central to our approach. Perth offers a high quality of life and is often considered a more accessible and affordable study destination compared with many larger international cities. The university currently offers multiple on campus accommodation options for international students and additionally is constructing a purpose- built 847-bed student residence expected to be completed at the end of 2027.

The university supports students through accommodation guidance and services to help them transition successfully into university life.As UWA expands its presence in India, we are also considering the broader student experience including accessibility, affordability and support systems. Our objective is to ensure that students, including those from across India, have access to an environment where they can learn, grow and succeed.In terms of costs of education, is Australia a better option for Indian students compared to destinations such as the US, UK and Canada?Students today evaluate international education through the lens of overall value not only tuition fees. Australia has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for Indian students because it offers a strong combination of academic quality, global recognition, research excellence, employability outcomes, safety and quality of life.

Its proximity to India, multicultural environment and strong people-to-people connections also make it a natural choice for Indian families looking for a high-quality international education experience.

Beyond the cost of a degree, students are increasingly considering the return on investment including the relevance of their qualification, access to industry, career opportunities and the ability to build skills that are valued globally.

Australia’s strong reputation in areas such as technology, engineering, healthcare, sustainability, business and research aligns well with the aspirations of Indian students and the needs of emerging economies. At UWA, accessibility is an important focus. We offer a range of scholarships and financial support opportunities, including merit-based scholarships, excellence awards, government-supported initiatives and alumni-supported programmes.With UWA India, students will also have the opportunity to access UWA’s academic standards closer to home, with geo-priced tuition designed to make a globally recognised education more accessible. Ultimately, the value of education is measured not only by cost, but by the skills, networks and opportunities students gain for lifelong success. Australia’s ability to combine academic excellence with industry relevance and a supportive student experience continues to make it a compelling destination for students from India.