In a recent announcement, the Australian Prime Minister declared that there will be an ‘Australia-India education qualification recognition mechanism’. This mechanism means that degrees obtained in Australia will be recognised in India, and vice-versa. Here are the key details of this new agreement:

Deakin University and its Offshore Campus in India

Geelong’s Deakin University will be the first ever foreign university to have an offshore campus in India. The campus will be set up in Gandhinagar’s GIFT City. This is an excellent opportunity for both Australia and India to strengthen their educational ties.

Maitri Scholarships Program

A new scholarship programme called ‘Maitri’ will be started for Indian students to study in Australia for up to four years. These scholarships are part of the wider Maitri (friendship) programme that seeks to boost cultural, educational, and community ties between Australia and India. The programme will be worth $11.2 million.

Exceptions to the Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism

This agreement will not apply to professional qualifications such as engineering, medicine, and law graduates. Professional registrations for these degrees will remain outside the ambit of this agreement.

Australia-India Economic Cooperation

The Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA) is the first free trade agreement signed by India with a developed country in a decade. It entered into force in December 2022. It has resulted in an immediate reduction of duty to zero on 96% of Indian exports to Australia in value (that is 98% of the tariff lines) and zero duty on 85% of Australia’s exports (in value) to India. Bilateral trade was US$ 27.5 billion in 2021, and there is potential for it to reach around US$ 50 billion in five years.

Australia-India Education

The Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications (MREQ) was recently signed. This agreement will facilitate the mobility of students between India and Australia.

Australia-India Clean Energy

The countries signed a Letter of Intent on New and Renewable Energy, which provides for cooperation towards bringing down the cost of renewable energy technologies, especially ultra-low-cost solar and clean hydrogen. India announced matching funds of AUD 10 million for Pacific Island Countries under Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) and of AUD 10 million for Pacific Island Countries under the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

MCQs on Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism

  1. What is the purpose of the ‘Australia-India education qualification recognition mechanism’?
    A. To recognize degrees obtained only in Australia
    B. To recognize degrees obtained only in India
    C. To recognize degrees obtained in both Australia and India
    D. To recognize degrees obtained in Australia and online courses from India.
    Correct Answer: C. To recognize degrees obtained in both Australia and India
    Explanation: The new mechanism recognizes degrees obtained in both Australia and India, allowing for increased educational opportunities and mobility for students between the two countries.
  2. Which university will be the first foreign university to have an offshore campus in India?
    A. The University of Sydney
    B. The University of Melbourne
    C. The University of Queensland
    D. Deakin University
    Correct Answer: D. Deakin University
    Explanation: Deakin University, located in Geelong, will be the first foreign university to open a branch campus in India, to be set up in Gandhinagar’s GIFT City.
  3. Which areas of study are exempted from the ‘Australia-India education qualification recognition mechanism’?
    A. Business and management
    B. Engineering, medicine, and law
    C. Arts and humanities
    D. Science and technology
    Correct Answer: B. Engineering, medicine, and law
    Explanation: Professional registrations of engineering, medicine, and law graduates will remain outside the ambit of this agreement, as these areas of study often require additional accreditation and certification beyond a university degree.

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