The University of Western Australia (UWA), a prestigious Australian institution, plans to open a branch campus in Tamil Nadu, which is expected to strengthen educational and diplomatic relations between India and Australia. This development follows crucial Monday talks between UWA Chancellor Diane Smith-Gander and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai. The proposal also includes Maharashtra, as both states are considered strong economic performers and ideal locations for international academic collaborations.

The plan to establish a campus in Maharashtra was recently revealed at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai. “Subject to University Grants Commission (UGC) and UWA Senate approval, the University of Western Australia intends to establish branch campuses in both Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which are among the top-performing state economies in India,” stated Smith-Gander.

Once established, the University of Western Australia (UWA) will be the first international institution to set up a campus in Tamil Nadu. UWA's Indian campuses are expected to offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, especially in STEM, business and creative fields, with a particular focus on music, led by UWA's Conservatorium of Music. This initiative aligns with Tamil Nadu's "Knowledge City" project, which aims to make the state a global centre for education and advanced research.

During the seventh Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India Smart Datacenters and Cloud Infrastructure Conclave 2025, held on Monday, IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan emphasised the state's ongoing talks with international universities. Thiaga Rajan, who led the Knowledge City initiative while serving as finance minister, called the recent meeting with UWA officials a “significant step forward.”

A government statement confirmed that Smith-Gander and Jennifer Howell, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia (UWA), met with Chief Minister Stalin. Their conversation focused on strengthening academic partnerships, enhancing infrastructure, and shaping a long-term strategy for institutional development. Established in 1911, UWA is ranked 77th globally and is regularly listed among the top 1% of universities in the world.

Thiaga Rajan highlighted Tamil Nadu’s progress in expanding access to higher education, noting that the state's gross enrolment ratio has risen to over 50%, up from about 45% four years ago. He attributed this improvement to focused government initiatives, especially those benefiting underprivileged girls in public schools. Meanwhile, students studying in India could have the opportunity to transfer to UWA’s main campus in Perth, while Australian students may be able to study at the Indian campus. This arrangement promotes mutual learning and cultural exchange between the two countries.