Western Sydney University (WSU) has received formal approval from India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) to establish a full-fledged foreign branch campus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The milestone was announced at the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 in New Delhi in the presence of India’s Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with senior state and central government officials.
Under the Indian Ministry of Education’s regulations, WSU’s new campus—slated to open in August 2026—will initially offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship with a strong Ag-Tech orientation.
By 2027, the curriculum will expand to include Data Science and Science streams, featuring specialisations in Sustainable Water Futures.
Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams AO highlighted the campus’s role in fostering bidirectional exchange:
“By taking Western Sydney to India, we unlock life-changing opportunities for Indian students and create new pathways for Australian students and businesses to collaborate in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.”
A “One University” Model
The Greater Noida campus will operate as part of WSU’s global ‘One University’ network, enabling student mobility across Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia, where WSU already maintains international programs and a recently opened campus in Surabaya. Students at the India campus will benefit from:
- Seamless credit transfer and joint research projects with Australian campuses
- Industry internships and placements with local and multinational partners
- Access to the university’s Launch Pad incubator for start-up support and entrepreneurship training
Driving Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact
Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AC said the campus is a keystone of WSU’s strategy to deepen its international footprint and accelerate research-driven solutions in food and water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
“We are committed to delivering world-class education tailored to India’s rapidly evolving skill needs,”
she stated.
Strategic Partnerships and Local Engagement
WSU will partner closely with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and leading Ag-Tech firms to co-design research and teaching programs. Local tie-ups will also ensure that the campus integrates with Greater Noida’s emerging innovation ecosystem, anchored by the forthcoming Noida International Airport and robust transport infrastructure.
The announcement follows WSU’s unprecedented fourth consecutive year at No. 1 in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings for contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Greater Noida campus will further reinforce WSU’s reputation for social, ecological and economic impact on the global stage.
Applications for the inaugural 2026 cohort will open in early 2026. WSU will host virtual information sessions and partner with local education agents across India to guide prospective students through admissions, scholarship opportunities and career pathways.
By embedding Australian-standard degrees and research strengths directly in India, Western Sydney University aims to cultivate a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and sustainability leaders equipped to tackle regional and global challenges.
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.
