UWA Chennai campus gets final UGC approval as Tamil Nadu's first Australian branch
The University of Western Australia will begin classes on 19 October, following its eighty-million-dollar expansion into India.
The University Grants Commission has given final approval to the University of Western Australia to open its new branch campus in Chennai, with classes set to begin on 19 October. The decision makes the university, known as UWA, the first foreign higher education provider to set up in Tamil Nadu, as well as the first Australian institution to do so.
A dual campus strategy
The Chennai campus is part of an eighty-million-dollar commitment by UWA to set up wholly owned campuses in India. It follows the launch of a Mumbai campus just last month, making UWA the first foreign university to launch two branch campuses in India simultaneously.
Orientation for the inaugural batch of students in Chennai is starting immediately, and the university has confirmed that scholarships will be available.
What students can study
UWA has targeted Chennai because of the city's reputation as a hub for technology, engineering, manufacturing, and innovation. The initial course list is heavily weighted towards these industries.
Undergraduates can enrol in programmes including Business Management, Computer Science, Data Science, and Advanced Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence. For postgraduate students, the campus will offer a Master of Information Technology and an MBA.
Backing from leadership
The move has received strong support from both Indian and Australian officials. Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister, C Joseph Vijay, said the branch campus would give local students access to a world-class education while strengthening economic and cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and Western Australia.
Roger Cook, the Premier of Western Australia, highlighted the shared strengths of the two regions in education, technology, and industry.
UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said the regulatory green light allows the university to finally welcome its first students and integrate them into its academic and industry networks. Chancellor Dr Diane Smith-Gander added that Chennai represents an important addition to the university's long-standing relationship with India, which dates back more than a century.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UWA investment in wholly owned Indian campuses | $80 million | University of Western Australia |
| Class start date at Chennai campus | 19 October | University of Western Australia |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| University Grants Commission | The Indian regulatory authority that granted final approval for the campus. |
| University of Western Australia | The Australian university establishing the Chennai branch campus. |
| Chennai | The city where the new university branch campus is located. |
| Tamil Nadu | The Indian state hosting the new campus. |
