Dharmendra Pradhan invites Australian universities to explore opportunities in India

NEW DELHI: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan today participated in the ‘VET: Policy Dialogue on Developing Skills for the Future’ at Kangan Institute, Melbourne. Discussions centred around the potential of deploying Australian Skill Standards and Certification frameworks in India to equip youth with skills of the future, connect them with employment and improve skilling outcomes.

Dharmendra Pradhan shared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and efforts to transform India into a global hub for skilled and highly-productive manpower. He also spoke about India’s young demography being her biggest strength in the 21st century and added that skilled India will contribute to the Indian as well as global economy.

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Pradhan also expressed India’s interest for collaborations with Australia’s skilling institutions. He appreciated Australia’s keenness to partner India in advancing mutual priorities in skill development and also towards skilling India’s youth for the many opportunities in Australia.

He further said that both India and Australia have several opportunities to work together in the areas of Skills Assessment, Qualifications & Skills Recognition, Curriculum Development, Workforce Development and added that “a future-ready workforce in our countries will better prepare us to unlock global opportunities”.

Craig Robertson, CEO, Victorian Skills Authority, Sally Curtain, CEO, Bendigo Kangan Institute and leaders of Australian skilling ecosystem, were present during the discussion.

He also visited Deakin University, Melbourne, and took a detailed overview of the university, especially the industry-designed courses, research degrees, and entry pathways.

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Pradhan said that “the roll-out of NEP 2020 has ensured India is brimming with opportunities”. He also invited Deakin University and all Australian Universities and Skill Institutions to explore opportunities in India, create mechanisms for learning from each-others best practices for transforming our countries into knowledge economies and for prosperity of people in both our countries.

Pradhan also held bilateral discussions with HE Brendan O'Connor, Australian Minister for Skills and Training. The ministry in a statement said, “They had productive discussions on forging deeper collaborations in the skill development sector and working together for creating a highly-productive and future-ready workforce.”

“The harmonization of qualification standards between India and Australia and localised version of TAFE institutes in India will accelerate mobility of skilled workforce,” he added.