Victorian Premier joins RMIT to celebrate innovative India-Australia higher education partnership

The Victorian Premier has joined executives from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science and RMIT University to meet students of the BITS-RMIT Higher Education Academy and learn more about their experiences.

The Hon Jacinta Allan MP and Layton Pike, RMIT Executive Director International met with Professor V. Ramgopal Rao Vice-Chancellor Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) in New Delhi to celebrate the innovative partnership and talk to the students involved.

It comes as the Victorian Government pledges $5 million to support transnational education partnerships between local and international institutions.

(L-R)Layton Pike, Executive Director International – RMIT University, Professor Sudhirkumar Barai, Director of BITS Pilani – Pilani Campus, Hon. Jacinta Allan Premier of Victoria and Professor V. Ramgopal Rao – Vice-Chancellor BITS Pilani

With almost 300 students have now enrolled in this innovative dual degree program, it was a timely opportunity to showcase our flagship transnational education partnership to the Victorian Premier on her first trip to India.

The BITS-RMIT Higher Education Academy was one of the first partnerships of its kind when it commenced in 2023. The structure of this dual degree program sees students undertaking the first two years on campus in India and completing the final two years in Melbourne.

This unique opportunity provides students a global perspective not only in their studies, but in their experiences within both the BITS and RMIT vibrant campus life and local communities.

Speaking at the event the Premier said “RMIT and BITS Pilani are offering their students the best of both institutions, a great education that will help them secure jobs in Australia or India, and a multicultural connection that will last a lifetime.”

Most recently, the second cohort of undergraduate students commenced at the Hyderabad and Pilani campuses, and the first cohort at the Goa campus which is an exciting expansion of The Academy’s footprint.

A new dual program featuring a Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science at BITS Pilani and Bachelor of Engineering, Software Engineering (Honours) at RMIT University also launched this year, allowing graduates even more career pathways.

“BITS Pilani and RMIT University are leading higher education providers in the region – our flagship partnership draws on those strengths to deliver world-class education,” RMIT Executive Director International, Layton Pike said.

“These courses ensure graduates are ready for the workplace. Not only will they have a range of opportunities to secure in-demand jobs in region, but they’ll also gain rich cross-cultural experiences along the way.”

BITS Pilani Vice-Chancellor Professor Rao said it was exciting to expand the partnership offering and campus footprint.

“This innovative curriculum merges the strengths of both institutions, giving students a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies and software development principles.”

“Students will step into a world where collaboration will lead to enhanced creativity, boundaries will be shattered, and the future of technology will be unravelled”.

Society and Environment

17 September 2024

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17 September 2024

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