Two more Australian universities are expected to soon set up campuses in Gujarat, a state government release underlined Friday, citing a meeting between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Australian High Commissioner Philip Green. The varsities are likely to establish their presence in Gandhinagar’s GIFT City where Deakin University and the University of Wollongong from Australia are already ready to roll out their programmes in June.
Green, along with Australian Consulate General Paul Murphy and other delegation members, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Minister in Gandhinagar Friday, said officials. Amid the state government’s preparations for the 2036 Olympics bid, he also cited opportunities for co-operation in the sports sector. In his six-month tenure, Green mentioned, he has visited the state five times.
At the meeting, discussions centered around the potential collaboration between Australia, India, and Gujarat in renewable energy production, solar rooftop installations, and critical minerals such as lithium for battery storage. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Pankaj Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department SJ Haider, and senior officials from state’s Energy Department, among others.
The Chief Minister has shown keen interest in learning about the smart and sustainable utilisation of stadiums, road infrastructure, and accommodations post Olympics, citing examples from Sydney and Brisbane, for Ahmedabad’s 2036 Olympics bid, stated an official release issued by the state government. “The Australian High Commissioner cited opportunities for co-operation in the sports sector and highlighted courses at Deakin University in GIFT City. He also mentioned the possible arrival of two more universities soon,” it further stated.