University Of Western Australia To Establish First Overseas Campuses In Mumbai & Chennai By 2026

Mumbai: The University of Western Australia (UWA), one of Australia’s leading institutions and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight universities, is preparing to establish its first overseas branch campuses in India. The university plans to open campuses in Mumbai and Chennai by 2026, marking a significant step in expanding its global presence. In an exclusive interaction with The Free Press Journal, UWA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Amit Chakma spoke about the university’s strategy for entering India, the programmes it will offer, and how the campuses aim to deliver an international academic experience within the country.

Why Mumbai and Chennai?

According to Prof. Chakma, the decision to open campuses in Mumbai and Chennai was driven by a combination of academic familiarity, historical ties, and strategic factors. “We already have strong engagement with students from Mumbai and Maharashtra. Over the years, many students from this region have come to study at our Perth campus,” he said. Similarly, UWA receives a large number of students from southern India each year.

“Students from southern states have consistently shown interest in studying with us in Australia, which made Chennai a natural choice,” he explained. Another factor behind the decision is the long-standing relationship between Western Australia and Maharashtra. The government of Western Australia has maintained a trade office in Mumbai for nearly three decades. “That long-standing relationship helped create a strong foundation for collaboration in education,” Prof. Chakma noted. India’s National Education Policy (NEP), which allows foreign universities to establish campuses in the country, also played a key role.

“The policy opened the door for institutions like ours to bring global education directly to Indian students,” he said. UWA also intends for the India campuses to serve as regional education hubs, attracting students not only from India but also from neighbouring countries. Accessibility and international connectivity were therefore important considerations when selecting the two cities.

Programmes and courses

The Mumbai campus will offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes focused on technology, business and economics. At the undergraduate level, students can pursue Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Data Science. Business programmes will include Bachelor of Business degrees in Business Management, Global Business, and Enterprise and Innovation.

Other offerings include a Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence (Honours) and a Bachelor of Economics. At the postgraduate level, the campus will offer a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Information Technology. The Chennai campus will offer a similar mix of programmes, including Computer Science, Data Science, Business Management, Artificial Intelligence (Honours), and Economics, along with the MBA and Master of Information Technology.

Aligning with global standards

Prof. Chakma emphasised that the programmes offered in India will mirror those taught at UWA’s main campus in Perth. “Regulations require that we offer only those programmes here that we already run in Australia, and we fully support that approach,” he said. Maintaining consistency in curriculum, teaching methods and academic standards will therefore remain a priority.

At the same time, the university recognises that Indian students place strong emphasis on career outcomes. “Our research shows that Indian students are particularly focused on employment opportunities after graduation,” Prof. Chakma said. To support this goal, UWA plans to develop partnerships with private companies and government organisations in India. These collaborations are expected to create internship opportunities and industry exposure for students during their studies.

Admissions and campus infrastructure

Admissions to the India campuses will be managed locally, but the academic criteria and quality benchmarks will remain the same as those used in Australia. “The applications will be handled locally for efficiency, but the standards will be identical to those applied at our Perth campus,” Prof. Chakma explained. Initially, the campuses will operate from leased spaces.

However, UWA plans to recreate the collaborative academic environment that defines its main campus. “We may not have large sports grounds or student residences in the beginning, but we will ensure students have modern classrooms, study areas and shared spaces where they can interact and collaborate,” he said. The Mumbai campus building is newly constructed, which means students will have access to modern facilities and amenities.

Global exposure & faculty

Although immediate exchange programmes between India and Australia are not planned due to regulatory considerations, Prof. Chakma believes students will still gain international exposure. “Global exposure does not only come from travelling abroad,” he said. “It also comes from the learning experience itself — the way courses are taught, the academic culture and the international perspective in the curriculum.”

Faculty members will largely be based in India but will be jointly appointed with UWA’s Australian campus. “We follow rigorous recruitment standards,” Prof. Chakma said. “Faculty members here will also collaborate with colleagues in Australia on research projects, PhD supervision and academic initiatives.”

Advice for Indian students

Prof. Chakma advised Indian students considering UWA to focus on the quality of education rather than purely on immediate job prospects. “Our primary focus is education,” he said. “If someone’s only goal is to secure a job immediately, a vocational pathway might be more suitable.” However, he emphasised that strong academic learning ultimately supports long-term career success.

While studying at UWA may cost more than attending many domestic institutions, the value lies in the quality of teaching, the global academic environment and the broader perspective students gain. “We are deeply committed to supporting our students,” he said. “Once someone joins UWA, our goal is to help them succeed throughout their academic journey.” Student well-being and mental health support will also be an important part of the India campuses, reflecting practices already followed in Australia.

Published on: Monday, March 09, 2026, 09:40 AM IST