ACT Universities Join Chief Minister on Major Trade Mission to India
Canberra's four leading universities have dispatched senior representatives to accompany Chief Minister Andrew Barr on a significant ACT trade mission to India. The six-day trip, focused on promoting higher education and tourism, includes stops in Delhi and Bangalore, with the goal of strengthening economic and cultural ties between the Australian Capital Territory and one of its key international partners.
University Leaders Emphasise Education Partnerships
University of Canberra vice-chancellor Bill Shorten and UNSW Canberra rector and dean Emma Sparks are participating, alongside high-ranking officials from the Australian National University and Australian Catholic University. Mr Shorten highlighted the longstanding collaboration with India, stating it has been crucial for advancing educational and research initiatives.
"India has been an important collaborator with UC over the years, particularly in advancing our high-quality education and research partnerships," Mr Shorten said. "This trip will provide the opportunity to ensure that Australians, especially here in Canberra, can benefit from accessing exceptional study opportunities in India, while Indian students continue to access world-class Australian education."
Boosting Tourism and Student Numbers
The mission also features representatives from Cricket ACT and VisitCanberra, the government's tourism agency. Chief Minister Barr, whose participation costs approximately $10,800, emphasised the economic rationale behind the trip. He noted that India is the ACT's second-largest market for international students, with over 2,500 Indian students enrolled in tertiary studies last year.
"India is the ACT's second largest market for international students, with more than 2,500 Indian students undertaking tertiary studies last year - a testament to the strong ties between Canberra and India," Mr Barr explained.
Tourism data reveals that about 15,000 visitors from India travelled to the ACT in the year to September 2025, accounting for 7 per cent of international arrivals. Mr Barr stressed that increasing tourist numbers from India, along with growth from the United Kingdom, Europe, China, and ASEAN nations, is essential to support the potential resumption of Singapore Airlines flights to Canberra.
Strategic Goals and Federal Support
The trade mission is backed by federal agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, and Tourism Australia. Meetings are scheduled with higher education institutions, agents, tourism industry leaders, government agencies, and Australian diplomats.
Mr Barr outlined the broader strategy, stating that the ACT plans to launch additional trade missions to India, ASEAN, the European Union, and the United Kingdom this year. "These missions will focus on the service export sector, attracting direct foreign investment into the ACT and promoting Canberra as a place to visit, study and live," he said.
The ACT's 2022 international engagement strategy identified India as offering enormous potential for the territory's economy. It highlighted India's substantial young population and growing demand for high-quality offshore education, positioning Canberra to expand its offerings in secondary, university, and vocational educational services.
"A plan to attract additional Indian students is economically attractive, but also fits with the ACT International Education Strategy's strategic objective of diversifying our international student source markets," the strategy noted.
This initiative underscores Canberra's commitment to fostering global connections and leveraging its educational strengths to drive economic growth and cultural exchange.
