Deakin University Champions International Student Engagement at IABCA 2025

Australia–India Relations Strengthened Through Deakin’s Global Education Leadership

Deakin University Australia was known to have once again joined hands with the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA) as official knowledge partner for Deakin University India Immersion Week 2025. This extension of collaboration was viewed as part of Deakin's long-term initiative to sustain international cooperation in education, particularly within the emerging Australia India partnership. The IABCA 2025 programme between 9 and 12 September in New Delhi and Mumbai was termed one of the highlights of the year for deepening relations between the two nations. It was said to have brought government, business, educational, and cultural leaders together to push new possibilities and forge stronger relationships.

At the Education & Skills Round Table at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, discussions were said to have been led by Deakin University Australia with oversight from Austrade. Professor Iain Martin, who was understood to be the President and Vice Chancellor of Deakin, spoke about the implications of artificial intelligence and automation on learning and work, comments that were thought to support India's ambition to skill about 400 million people by 2030 and an increasing involvement from Australia via the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).

Professor Martin was also reported to have emphasized how subject delivery of AI, cybersecurity, and health-very much in demand worldwide-was Deakin's focus in preparing students for "jobs of the future". Deakin's delivery in flexible online and hybrid learning modes was said to favor the success of students and was a hallmark of the global university initiative. Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, founder of the IABCA, was quoted as stating that the alliance endeavored to strengthen the Australia India relationship beyond-the-scenes of policy. The 2025 program was described as being created to celebrate the achievements and build long-term relationships across a variety of sectors. It was also emphasized that education remained a critical aspect of the partnership, with Deakin University Australia playing a significant role in promoting knowledge transfer and inclusive growth.

The Business of Culture Roundtable-was held at Humayun's Tomb and the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya-was said to have revolved around the ways culture-including heritage, fashion, and philanthropy-can aid achieving both economic and diplomatic objectives. The event reportedly featured a conversation with cricketing legend Steve Waugh AO, hosted by Ms. Ravneet Pawha, Vice President (Global Engagement) and CEO (South Asia), Deakin University. This session was understood to discuss how sport and storytelling could build good relations between Australia and India.

Ms. Pawha was thought to have touted Deakin as being proud to be part of IABCA 2025. She called the program a means of forging new pathways for talent development, innovation, and global engagement of universities. She also recalled Deakin's 30-year history in India, asserting that the university is still committed to developing strong partnerships and cross-border education programs. Events crowning the week-the IABCA Global Leaders Forum and the IABCA Award Ceremony & Gala Dinner-was hosted in Mumbai at JIO World Centre, which brought senior leaders together to discuss avenues for shared growth of Australia and India with green energy, digital innovation, tourism, and culture on the agenda.

Professor Martin was thought to have participated in a panel discussing technology in today's intricately layered global context. It was reported that he talked about trust, scale, and that Australia and India could jointly leverage digital advantage. His input was thought to sit within Deakin's wider odyssey in higher education partnerships and its advocacy of global university initiatives. Overall, the 2025 edition of Deakin University India Immersion Week bore strong testimony to the deepening Australia India relationship. From international student engagement and digital innovation to cultural exchange and strategic planning, the program was said to demonstrate a shared commitment of both countries to build inclusive and sustainable futures.

Editor's Note

This story is not merely a summary of events; it represents a change in how nations conceive and foster long-term partnerships through education, culture, and innovation. The Deakin University India Immersion Week 2025, in collaboration with the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA), exemplifies how higher education can create a bridge between countries. And the bridge which it wants to build is not merely with respect to academic exchange but toward shared futures. The report thus becomes pertinent as they show how Australia and India are partnering to resolve issues of worldwide importance, such as skilling youth for jobs in AI, cybersecurity, and health. This is not something vague. Concrete policies link them, for instance, India's pledge to skill 400 million people by 2030 and increased involvement by Australia through trade and education agreements. The leadership of Deakin University in flexible learning as well as collaborative international university initiatives makes this partnership much more relevant. What is striking is the very juxtaposition of education with culture, sport, and diplomacy. The Business of Culture Roundtable and conversations with Steve Waugh AO show that soft power matters: it builds trust, tells stories, and opens doors that policy, by itself, cannot.This program also brings to bear the fact that international education cooperation goes beyond student mobility. It involves co-designed curricula, joint research, and shared digital platforms for collaborative teaching. With over 30 years in India, Deakin adds depth and credibility to the partnership.

Skoobuzz highlights that in an era when global relations are often dictated by rivalry, this program gives a template for cooperation. It reminds us that universities are more than mere places of teaching-they are strategic actors in the establishment of inclusive, sustainable and future-ready societies.

FAQs

1. What is Deakin University India Immersion Week 2025?
Deakin University India Immersion Week 2025 is a multi-day programme held in partnership with the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA). It took place from 9 to 12 September in New Delhi and Mumbai. The event is designed to strengthen Australia–India relations through education, culture, business, and diplomacy. Deakin served as the official knowledge partner, contributing to high-level roundtables, keynote sessions, and cultural exchanges. The programme brought together leaders from government, academia, and industry to explore shared opportunities and deepen bilateral ties.

2. How does Deakin University support India partnerships?
Deakin University has been actively engaged in India for over 30 years. Its support includes:

• Strategic collaborations with Indian universities, governments, and industries.
• Joint research initiatives in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and health.
• Co-development of education hubs such as the Symbiosis–Deakin Global Learning Hub in Pune.
• Pathway programmes and dual degrees with institutions like Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Chitkara University.
• Public sector partnerships, such as the AI Centre of Excellence with the Government of Telangana, aimed at advancing digital innovation and workforce development.

3. Why is IABCA important for Australia–India relations?
IABCA (India Australia Business & Community Alliance) plays a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties by:

• Creating platforms for dialogue across business, government, education, and culture.
• Celebrating excellence through its annual awards and leadership forums.
• Promoting people-to-people connections, which are considered the backbone of Australia–India relations.
• Supporting strategic initiatives aligned with national priorities, including trade, investment, and education.
• It is recognised by both governments as a key driver of soft diplomacy and sectoral collaboration.

4. Which universities participate in IABCA 2025?
While Deakin University was the lead knowledge partner for IABCA 2025, other participating institutions included:

• Symbiosis International University (through the Global Learning Hub initiative).
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Chitkara University (via Deakin’s strategic partnerships).
• The event also featured academic leaders from various Australian and Indian universities, though Deakin’s role was the most prominent.

5. How does Deakin University promote global education?
Deakin University promotes global education through:

• Offering over 300 industry-relevant courses with strong digital and hybrid delivery models.
• Facilitating international student mobility via dual degrees, pathway programmes, and study tours.
• Running global learning hubs that support cross-border education and research.
• Leading initiatives like the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, which connects academic research with real-world impact.
• Engaging in faculty-led study tours, overseas internships, and social impact projects that give students global exposure and credit-bearing experiences