The University of Western Australia’s first India campus has opened in Mumbai, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis saying the institution will strengthen the city’s position as a global centre for knowledge, innovation, technology and talent.
Fadnavis inaugurated the University of Western Australia India Mumbai Campus on September 17 in the presence of Western Australia Premier Roger Cook, UWA Chancellor Dr Diane Smith-Gander, Vice Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma, university officials, faculty members, students and other dignitaries.
The chief minister said Maharashtra was proud that UWA, a research-focused Australian university and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight, had chosen Mumbai for its first campus in India. He linked the development to the state government’s wider effort to expand Mumbai’s role beyond its established position as the country’s financial, commercial and entertainment capital.
Fadnavis said the campus would create opportunities for students to connect with financial institutions, multinational companies, technology firms, startups, researchers and entrepreneurs. He also identified potential areas for joint research and academic collaboration, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, healthcare, critical minerals, clean energy, sustainable development and advanced manufacturing technologies.
The campus is being presented as part of a broader shift in international higher education, with overseas universities establishing a presence in India under opportunities created by the National Education Policy 2020. Fadnavis said Indian students had previously travelled abroad to access international institutions, while global universities were now creating opportunities within India.
According to the report, UWA Chancellor Dr Diane Smith-Gander said approximately AUD 80 million had been invested in campuses in Mumbai and Chennai. She said the investment reflected a commitment to strengthening India-Australia relations and creating new opportunities for quality education, knowledge exchange and global connectivity for students in India.
Fadnavis also welcomed UWA’s announcement of full scholarships for three Indian students. He said the initiative would help students access international-quality education in India while reducing the foreign-exchange costs associated with overseas education.
The inauguration also connects the campus to the state government’s plans for a larger knowledge and innovation ecosystem. Fadnavis said the Mumbai 3.0 project, being developed near Mumbai, would include an Education City, MediCity, Innovation City and a Global Capability Centre ecosystem, along with new centres for research and industrial development.
The proposed links between the campus and industry are significant because the institution is expected to operate not only as an education facility but also as a platform for research partnerships and interaction with companies, startups and entrepreneurs. The source report did not provide details on the campus’s student intake, academic programmes, construction cost for the Mumbai facility or the timeline for expanding its operations.
Fadnavis assured UWA of the Maharashtra government’s support as the partnership develops. He said cooperation between Western Australia and Maharashtra could contribute to research, the state’s economy and broader India-Australia relations.
