NEW DELHI: As part of the 3rd Australia–India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) Meeting in New Delhi, India and Australia convened a substantive bilateral dialogue to advance cooperation in skills development, workforce mobility, and the rapidly growing sports economy. The bilateral meeting was co-chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship & Minister of State for Education, and Hon. Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Skills & Training, Commonwealth of Australia.

The deliberations acknowledged the strong upward trajectory in India–Australia relations and reinforced the need to translate this momentum into well-structured pathways for the movement of skilled professionals. Both sides agreed to accelerate the operationalisation of the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications (MRQ) mechanism and to co-design bridge courses that align competencies and facilitate seamless mobility. Particular emphasis was laid on preparing skilled workers for global standards in advanced construction, given Australia’s infrastructure expansion ahead of major sporting events.

A key element of the discussions revolved around the strategic opportunities emerging from India’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and Australia’s hosting of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics. The sports and physical wellness sector was collectively recognised as a sunrise industry with significant employment prospects and potential to contribute nearly 2% to India’s GDP. Australia’s global leadership in sports management, sports technology was identified as a complementary strength to India’s expanding sports manufacturing and gig-economy landscape.

Further collaboration was proposed between India’s skilling institutions — including ITIs and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) — and Australia’s TAFE network, with joint work expected in areas spanning mining, digital and IT skills, hospitality, green jobs, renewable energy, and logistics.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary also underlined India’s commitment to future-oriented skills under the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative, along with the importance of joint ethical frameworks and standards for digital adoption. The ministers agreed that responsible and high-quality workforce mobility must guide bilateral cooperation going forward.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jayant Chaudhary stated, “India and Australia are natural partners in shaping the global workforce of the future. By strengthening pathways, aligning standards, and leveraging each other’s sectoral strengths, we can enable youth to access global opportunities while supporting dynamic industry needs in both our economies. I also propose that we establish an annual India-Australia Skills Meet, held alternately in India and Australia. This platform can drive harmonisation and equivalence in selected skills, deepen institutional partnerships, and keep our training ecosystems aligned with industry needs in both countries.”

“Australia is one of India’s most important partners in this space. We also explored new avenues in sports-related skilling ahead of major global events, including joint training, curriculum development, and industry partnerships,” he further added.

Hon. Andrew Giles MP remarked that Australia deeply values its partnership with India, and as our nations prepare for major sporting and economic milestones, skills cooperation will play a vital role in ensuring shared prosperity and measurable impact for our people.

The meeting witnessed participation from senior officials of MSDE, the Directorate General of Training, NCVET, NSDC, and representatives from the Australian Department of Education and its Skills and Training agencies.

The bilateral session concluded with a shared resolve to maintain high-level engagement and fast-track collaborative models that enhance training quality, strengthen global mobility, and contribute to building future-ready skill ecosystems in both countries.

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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:

1. 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.
2. Insight Masterclass on Future-Ready: The Power of Upskilling for Career and Business Growth presented by Ms Mannsi Agrawal, Transformational Speaker
3. 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
4. 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.

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The UC Cup celebrated the spirit of cricket, uniting local Canberra teams with their interstate and international counterparts from India in a fast-paced, competitive three-day tournament. Held from the 1st to the 4th of October 2024, the event marked a key milestone in strengthening the sporting, cultural, and educational ties between Australia and India.

The UC Cup is the largest annual junior pre-season T20 tournament in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), showcasing young talent from multiple venues across Canberra.

The involvement of Indian teams in this year’s Cup is aligned with the University of Canberra and Cricket ACT partnership announced in March 2024, which includes the introduction of in-school programs in India to enhance the skills of young cricket players. The partnership aims to bring an international perspective to cricket education in India, leveling the playing field, especially for girls and women in cricket, and creating opportunities for cultural exchange.

The 2024 UC Cup saw 320 young men and women competing across Canberra, a total of 32 teams. These included 22 local ACT teams, seven from interstate New South Wales, and three teams from Delhi and Punjab, India. The international team’s visit to the ACT was organized by the Canberra-based Adams Cricket Academy and Madan Lal’s Cricket Academy from Delhi. The tournament gave young players from Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Chandigarh the opportunity to experience Australian playing conditions and compete with their Australian peers.

Australia and India have a rich history of collaboration and competition in cricket, and this event built on that tradition. The UC Cricket Cup presented a unique opportunity for young Indian players to experience international cricket, explore Australia’s capital city, and learn about the academic opportunities open to them.

Canberra has a strong history of cricketing excellence and Australia’s highest participation rate in the sport. Several Australian representative players have emerged from Canberra’s cricket community over the years, including Jason Behrendorff, Bronwyn Calver, Michael Bevan, and Brad Haddin.

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This exciting alliance marks a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy and also aims to revolutionize the sports academy franchise landscape in India.

The Academy has delivered across 330 school avenues and 100 franchises across Australia. The key objective for its expansion in India is to provide young players with access to high-quality training and development opportunities by focusing on mental well-being.

With exceptional achievements in Australia, Sport Star Academy has rapidly emerged as a quality children’s sports programs academy for creating a movement of change for tomorrow’s grassroots leaders. Starting over from only one sport, Football Star Academy in 2010 to 12 sports in 2024, the journey has been commendable for the company.

Commenting on the business expansion, Peter Nikolakopoulos, Founder and CFE, of Sport Star Academy stated “As we expand Sport Star Academy into the vibrant and diverse market of India, we are not just bringing coaching expertise, we are igniting a passion for sports and fostering a culture of excellence within local communities. Our goal is to empower young players with the skills, confidence, and values they need to succeed, both on and off the field. Through Sports Star Academy in India, we aim to make a lasting impact, shaping future leaders and champions who will inspire generations to come”.

Gaurav Marya, Chairman, Franchise India Group also expressed the excitement of collaboration, saying “The sports business in India is rapidly expanding and represents the next great opportunity. Training is the first and most important phase in professional sports, and it should begin from an initial stage. If we want to develop Olympic athletes in the next 20 years, we must train them to begin playing at the age of 4-5 years. This alliance will result in a significant revolution in the sports business”.

The two companies are collectively set to drive growth in the sports industry with three key objectives: skill-based development, mental well-being and community building. By encouraging children and adolescents to engage in regular physical activity through organized sports programs, Sport Star Academy can contribute to reducing sedentary lifestyles and combating issues like childhood obesity.

Through its programs, Sport Star Academy aims to help young athletes in India build strong mental foundations, equipping them to navigate life’s challenges both on and off the field. By establishing sports programs in Indian communities, Sport Star Academy can contribute to community cohesion and foster a sense of belonging among participants which can lead to stronger social ties, increased civic engagement, and a more inclusive society.

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The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in partnership with the state governments of New South Wales and Victoria is bringing together 20+ Australian brands to showcase their products at the Australian Pavilion located at Hall No.1, Stand No.1G-02A in Aahar 2024.

The Australian pavilion at Aahar 2024 will showcase products across different categories ranging from sheep meat, seafood and aquaculture, horticulture, grains and pulses, and premium health food products.

Australia’s reputation for clean, green, and safe produce makes Australia a compelling destination to develop, commercialize, scale, and source the next generation of agriculture and food technologies.

Taste the Wonders of Australia

Coinciding with Aahar 2024, the Australian High Commissioner to India, HE Philip Green OAM is hosting the inaugural ‘Taste the Wonders of Australia’ event on 7 March 2024 at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi.

The event will provide an opportunity for Indian and Australian businesses to come together to network, enjoy Australian food and beverage, and celebrate the depth of our bilateral relationship.  The event menu will be curated by Indian celebrity Chef Saby using Australian ingredients and produce.

The event is being delivered in partnership with ANZ Bank, HCL Technologies, Linfox, HSBC Bank, and Qantas Airways. Products featured have been generously provided by Avocados Australia, Meat and Livestock Australia, Tassal, Western Australian Government, Treasury Wine Estates, and Saint Andrews Beach Brewery.

Speaking about the Australian participation at Aahar 2024, John Southwell, Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Australian Trade and Investment Commission said, “India and Australia’s bilateral ties have seen remarkably strengthened over the years, and our produces in various sectors have grown exponentially. It is this partnership and shared prosperity that has motivated us to bring our products to India and collaborate with local importers to enhance trade relations and further strengthen the bond between our two nations. We can see Australian products featuring more and more in Indian cuisine, from dals to lamb biryani paired with premium Australian wine. If you are after fine high-quality, great-tasting products – come and visit us at Aahar.”

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