Indian students flock to the Sunshine State – Queensland
~The Queensland Government deepens bilateral education ties, organises education fair with IDP for aspiring students and parents~ ~ The education fair witnessed participation from 10 leading universities of Queensland and senior Government officials. ~
Mumbai : With a mission to deepen bilateral ties and enhancing education and trade relations with India, the Treasurer and Minister of Trade and Investment of Queensland, Mr. Cameron Dick visited India along with his delegation. During the Trade Mission, Cameron Dick addressed a large group of Indian students and parents, sharing the benefits of studying in Australia’s Sunshine State.
During the visit, Study Queensland, The Queensland Government’s dedicated agency to promote Queensland as the premier education destination concluded its first education fair in partnership with IDP. The education fair hosted 10 of the leading Queensland universities under one roof, in the presence of senior dignitaries from Queensland alongside the Minister, including the Mr Justin McGowen, CEO at Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), Mr Peter Truswell, Australian Consul General to India, among others.
Mr. Cameron Dick, Treasurer and Minister of Trade and Investment of Queensland said, “Queensland offers boundless opportunities as a result of Queensland’s strong economy, with nation-leading economic growth and unemployment near the lowest it has been in history. To deliver the state’s ambitious agenda, including delivering the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland needs the best global talent, which is why we welcome Indian students to our state. Our universities and colleges are connecting students to these opportunities.”
In the recent months, India and Australia have explored synergies in areas of trade and education. With Australia’s Deakin University and The University of Wollongong setting up their international branch campuses at GIFT City in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, Australia extending their post-study work visa, Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism, there has been significant development in the bilateral education relations between the two countries in the month of March. In 2022, out of 4,26,000 international students arriving in Australia, more than 63,000 were from India.
As of 2021, the state of Queensland enjoys an export revenue of A$3.2 billion generated through its International Education and Training sector. Since October 2022, Queensland’s educational and training institutions have received 13,419 enrolments from India, and Vocational Education and Training have witnessed an increase of 21% as compared to pre-COVID levels. With over 300 education and training providers where five of them rate in the Global Top 150 of University Rankings and 120+ research centres, Queensland is attracting international students from around the world especially India.
Queensland is a popular choice for Indian students, who place an emphasis on an inclusive place to study and global connections. Catering to the growing interest shown by Indian families towards higher education in the Sunshine State of Australia, Study Queensland’s education fair witnessed large participation from citizens of Mumbai interacting with senior Government officials and University representatives. Given below is the list of the universities present at the fair:
| List of Participating Universities | |
| University of Queensland | James Cook University – Brisbane |
| Bond University | Australian Catholic University |
| University of Southern Queensland | Central Queensland University |
| Griffith University | Queensland University of Technology |
| James Cook University | Federation University |
Addressing the attendees at the education fair, Mr. Cameron said, “Our universities continue to raise the bar when it comes to cutting-edge research and development, attracting collaborations with multinational companies, and achieving ground-breaking results. Moreover, students look for life-changing experiences and Queensland delivers.”
The universities of Queensland have trusted India with several industry/corporate and academic partnerships for many years. Queensland’s strong and innovative economy has been developing new industries and job opportunities through research, international collaboration, and investment. Supported by the Government, Study Queensland is working to foster global talent, build partnerships, and welcome Indian and international students to harness the opportunities offered by the state.
Apart from the vitality of educational and employment opportunities offered by the state universities, Queensland’s multicultural and modern lifestyle has allowed it to gain recognition as a preferred study abroad destination among Indian students. For Queensland too, India makes the second largest market of international students.