Australian University thinking to establish campus in Gujarat

An official from the university said that University of Wollongong (UOW) is thinking to set up a 72-acre campus in Ahmedabad.

Craig Peden, Director Corporate Relations, UOW, said, "Indian students have a major presence in our country. So we thought why not establish a campus here which will allow them to get the Australian flavour of education without having to leave their shores."

This is the third international campus of UOW. It has two campuses one in Dubai and another in United Arab Emirates. Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Chairman, Arun Jagatramka will help the university with finance and liaise between it and Indian authorities.

Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Limited (GNCCL) is subsidiary of Gujarat NRE Coke Limited, the largest independent manufacturer of low ash metallurgical coke in India.

Peden did not disclose the amount of investment the company is making in this project. He said that everything is very much in the initial stage and nothing can be disclosed at this level as nothing is yet finalised. He further added that anything concrete can be said only after 2012.

Vice Chancellor General Sutton and Jagatramka in Mumbai signed a memorandum of understanding for establishing a campus in India. Peden also informed that the university was thinking to set a branch of Innovation Campus (IC), a technology and research precinct.

Peden said, "With a view to forge partnership with India in the field of R&D in areas like advance manufacturing, energy storage etc, we are looking for a suitable place here to establish a branch of the IC."