Australia took centre stage at APAIE 2025, the Festival of Australia – Phase 2, and the Australia–India Skills Summit, held across multiple cities in India.
Australia with its largest ever university delegation at APAIE 2025 set the tone for a dynamic week of international education dialogue, collaboration, and celebration.
Led by the Australian Universities International Directors’ Forum (AUIDF) and supported by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) South Asia, the event showcased the country’s commitment to shaping the future of global learning.
From panel discussions on the full lifecycle of transnational education (TNE) and research collaboration to sessions on international branch campuses, online education, and student mobility, Australia was a key voice in every room.
The Emerging Futures 7 report, presented at an IDP Education session, offered fresh insights into student mobility trends, sparking broader conversations about the future of learning.
Outside the conference rooms, the energy continued with ‘Festival of Australia – Phase 2,’ sweeping through Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Delhi. The four-city celebration brought together over 2,110 students, 24 leading Australian universities, and an unforgettable blend of education, culture, and cuisine.
Students, families, and institutional leaders were treated to:
- One-on-one sessions with Australian university representatives
- Masterclasses on AI, career growth, IELTS preparation, and more
- Fireside chats with inspiring alumni
- Immersive 3D zones recreating Australian student life
- Tastings of premium Australian produce, including a fan-favourite—Aussie lamb
The festival also forged strategic retail partnerships across India, featuring Aussie food and beverages in leading outlets like Amma Nanna (Chennai), Dorabjee’s (Pune), Magson Gourmet Foods (Ahmedabad), and Food Square India (New Delhi). Retail roundtables held in each city brought together key stakeholders—retailers, distributors, and importers—to discuss trends and opportunities for Australian brands in the Indian market.
The celebration culminated in a high-powered networking dinner, uniting Australian and Indian education leaders, government officials, and business stakeholders—a toast to shared ambition and deepening ties.
At the heart of all these events was a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity—qualities that continue to define the Australia–India education and skills partnership.
Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, summed it up on social media after his meeting with Atul Tiwari, Secretary – Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, India:
“Australia and India’s longstanding education and skills partnership has continued to gain strength and momentum. I had a very positive discussion with Secretary @MSDESkillIndia, Shri Atul Tiwari ji, about potential opportunities in our skills collaboration.”
As the week concluded with discussions centred on mutual recognition of qualifications, scalable collaboration models, and alignment with industry needs, all these major events underscored the importance of Australia-India cooperation in building the workforce of the future.
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