PUNE: The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) organized the second phase of the “Festival of Australia,” a first-of-its-kind four-city showcase celebrating Australia’s world-class education and premium food and beverage products.
The second phase, which started in Chennai and moved to Pune, brought together top-quality Australian universities and retail partners on a single platform.
Following Pune, the festival will be held in Ahmedabad (20 March), and New Delhi (22 March).
The Pune showcase provided an invaluable opportunity for Indian students and parents to engage directly with representatives of Australian universities to explore educational programs designed to support their academic and career aspirations.
Prospective students gained insights into Studying in Australia by attending the following masterclasses organized as a part of the showcase:
- Academic Masterclass on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Construction – Are You Ready for Transformation? presented by Professor Kenneth Tak Wing Yiu, Professor in Construction at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney.
- Insight Masterclass on Future-Ready: The Power of Upskilling for Career and Business Growth presented by Ms Mannsi Agrawal, Transformational Speaker
- Insight Masterclass on Navigating the Australian Education Ecosystem and the Role of TOEFL presented by Ms. Sarika Balchandani, Senior Manager – Partnerships and University Relations, ETS India
- Pep talk with Mr Rutwik Pungliya, Region Head – South Asia, The University of Western Australia
The festival also offered premium food products including honey, nutrition bars, sauces, cheese, pasta, seafood, and lamb at the Australia Food Pavilion.
Austrade collaborated with Jio Mart to set up an ‘Australia Pavilion’ on their e-commerce platform and Pune-based retailer Dorabjee’s to promote a range of Australian products at the food pavilion.
Live cooking demonstrations at the festival allowed guests to taste dishes prepared using premium Australian ingredients, providing firsthand experience of the country’s finest culinary delights.
Speaking about the festival, Mary Overington, Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Austrade, said, “We are very happy to host the second phase of the festival, showcasing Australia’s excellence in education and cuisine. Through this event, we aim to raise awareness and create new opportunities for Indian students, families, and food enthusiasts to explore Australia as a leading destination for top-tier education and fine dining experiences. The growing presence of Australian produce in Indian cuisine is a testament to the increasing demand for high-quality ingredients.”
Australia and India’s educational ties have deepened over the years, fostering strong economic and cultural connections that continue to grow. The Festival of Australia strengthens Australia’s presence in India and celebrates a shared commitment to cross-cultural appreciation and collaboration.
