In a major development for Australian higher education, Victoria University (VU) has become the first institution from the state to receive formal approval to establish a full-fledged campus in India.
The announcement was made in New Delhi, where VU representatives received a Letter of Intent from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC), authorising the university as an approved Foreign Higher Education Institution under India’s recently rolled-out National Education Policy (NEP).
Key Facts
- Licence Received: Letter of Intent from India’s UGC, approved as Foreign Higher Education Institution under NEP.
- Campus Launch: Targeted for 2027 in the Delhi National Capital Region.
- Signature Model: VU Block Model®—four-week intensive modules focusing on one subject at a time.
- Leadership: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) Monty Singh; Chief Academic Officer Prof. John Germov.
- Programs: Undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees with industry focus.
The licence, presented by India’s Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, paves the way for VU to launch its India campus by 2027, beginning with the Delhi National Capital Region.
The campus will offer a suite of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs, with a particular emphasis on industry-aligned qualifications designed to meet India’s rapidly evolving workforce needs.
Monty Singh, VU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global), said at the ceremony, “Victoria University can now progress its strong connections to India.”
“we look forward to working alongside local partners to share knowledge, deliver industry-focused qualifications and make a real contribution to India’s National Education Policy,”
added Mr Singh.
Leveraging the VU Block Model®
Central to VU’s offering in India will be its award-winning VU Block Model®, an innovative teaching approach that breaks the traditional semester structure into intensive four-week modules. Under this system, students focus on one subject at a time through interactive, workshop-style classes, enabling deeper engagement and more personalised support.
The Block Model, first introduced by VU in Australia and now the largest of its kind outside North America, has been shown to improve student retention, streamline pathways to graduation, and strengthen industry partnerships through real-world projects.
At the New Delhi event, VU Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Professor John Germov underscored the model’s potential impact in India.
“We are delighted at the opportunity to share our unique VU Block Model with industry, students and teachers in India,” Professor Germov said.
“By collaborating with local partners, we’ll ensure the Block Model remains at the forefront of industry needs, and our graduates are ready to support one of the strongest economies in the world.”
Riding the Wave of India’s Education Reforms
India’s NEP, unveiled in 2020, represents one of the most ambitious overhauls of the country’s education system in decades. Among its many reforms, the policy invites top global universities to establish campuses in India, aiming to enhance the quality of higher education and reduce student outflows to overseas institutions.
VU’s successful bid follows a rigorous application process that assessed its academic credentials, governance structures, and capacity for quality assurance.
As part of the next steps, VU will now engage with Indian universities, vocational institutes and industry bodies to finalise joint programs, share research expertise, and co-design curricula tailored to local and global priorities.
“India is home to one of the world’s largest student populations and a booming knowledge economy,” Deputy Vice-Chancellor Singh added.
“Our new campus will not only serve Indian learners but also strengthen bilateral ties in innovation, research and workforce development.”
A New Chapter in Australia–India Higher Education Collaboration
The VU licence marks a significant milestone in Australia–India educational cooperation. While several Australian universities have partnered with Indian institutions on joint research and student exchanges, few have pursued fully owned overseas campuses. VU’s initiative is expected to inspire other institutions to explore similar ventures, leveraging complementary strengths in areas such as vocational education, digital innovation and community engagement.
For India, international campuses are anticipated to boost domestic capacity for advanced learning, reduce barriers to global best practices, and create new streams of academic and professional talent. For Australia, these ventures guard against international enrolment volatility and expand the global footprint of its education sector—already one of the nation’s top export earners.
With official planning permission secured, Victoria University will now move to formalise partnerships, recruit faculty and commence campus construction. The university aims to welcome its first cohort by mid-2027, offering degrees in fields aligned with India’s national priorities, including technology, health and community services, and sustainable development.
As the India campus takes shape, VU plans to continue expanding collaborative opportunities across Asia, reinforcing its reputation as a truly global institution. Students in both countries can expect cross-campus exchanges, joint research centres and shared industry placements—bringing a new era of transnational education to life.
With this groundbreaking approval, Victoria University cements its role as a pioneer of Australia’s international education strategy and a bridge between two of the world’s largest democracies—creating lasting impact for students, industries and communities on both continents.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
