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BHUBANESWAR, DECEMBER 8, 2025
The University of Western Australia (UWA), the first Group of Eight (Go8) university to establish campuses in India, has taken a major step forward in its mission to create intergenerational change through global mobility by forging significant new partnerships in Bhubaneswar. The engagements mark a milestone in UWA’s fast-growing India strategy, aimed at unlocking international pathways and empowering the next generation of globally capable talent.
The visit carries deep personal resonance for UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, whose own life was transformed by global education opportunities. “Curiosity and resilience shaped my path,” Professor Chakma said. “Aspiration is the first step; perseverance turns it into achievement. Global learning opportunities have changed my life, and I want more young people to have that opportunity.”
A major highlight of the visit was the announcement of exclusive postgraduate scholarships for outstanding graduates of the Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM). Designed to offer academic pathways to UWA’s campuses in Perth and India, the scholarships aim to strengthen skill development and widen access to transformative international learning experiences.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr. Mukti Mishra, President of Centurion University, said, “Centurion University is extremely grateful for UWA’s generosity in granting two scholarships for PhD and postgraduate programs. This initiative bolsters the relationship between India and Australia, particularly as Odisha is known for its mining, sports and maritime potential. Being located in a remote and regional area, this scholarship has ignited great excitement among our faculty and staff. We are deeply thankful to the Vice-Chancellor and the team at UWA for considering this opportunity.”
UWA further reinforced its national-level collaborations by formalising a tri-institutional partnership with IIT/ISM Dhanbad and IIM Mumbai. Focused on mining, critical minerals, automation and sustainability, the alliance aims to strengthen talent pipelines and industry-linked research across sectors vital to the global energy transition. It also aligns with shared India–Australia priorities in technology, resources and responsible innovation.
In yet another significant development, UWA announced Bhubaneswar as an official host city for its Sports Immersion Program. The initiative will offer students hands-on learning in India’s elite sports ecosystem through high-performance training, sports science workshops and collaborations with leading sporting organisations — further cementing Odisha’s reputation as a rising sports hub.
Professor Chakma noted that the new initiatives reflect the shared purpose driving UWA’s partnerships across India. “Odisha is emerging as a vibrant hub of skills, innovation and applied learning. Our collaborations — from critical minerals to sport and skills development — demonstrate a commitment to empowering students and building deep, enduring ties between our two countries.”
The Bhubaneswar announcements form a central chapter of UWA’s broader India mission, which spans Delhi, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Chennai. Across these cities, UWA is deepening collaborations in MedTech, sustainability, digital skills, educational innovation and high-performance sport — representing one of the most comprehensive international engagement strategies undertaken by an Australian university in India.
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