AUSTRALIA: UA and IAU collaborate

The vice-chancellors' organisation, Universities Australia, has signed an agreement with the Association of Indian Universities affirming the commitment of Australian universities to ongoing partnership and collaboration with Indian universities through the AIU.

The partnership between the AIU and Universities Australia seeks to promote academic links between universities in both countries, through information sharing in areas such as quality assurance, staff development and university management; faculty exchanges for staff and students; and promoting research collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

"This agreement provides an opportunity for universities in India and Australia to work together to enhance understanding of both our countries, and look at ways to provide public benefit to Australia and India," Universities Australia Chief Executive Dr Glenn Withers said.

"It is timely that this agreement is signed and universities, students and academics can commit to building deeper and stronger ties into the future.

The signing of the commitment occurred as Indian Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal was in Australia to meet with government, universities and Indian students.

Withers said the UA expected an increase in collaborative activities between universities in both countries.

"Universities Australia is committed to seeking wider and deeper intercultural engagement across higher education in Australia and this agreement is another important step in helping with this," he said.