A high-level leadership meeting between The University of Queensland (UQ) and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) was held on 25 May 2026 to reaffirm the long-standing partnership and renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the UQ-IITD Research Academy.
The meeting brought together senior academic leaders and executives from both institutions to reflect on the achievements of the partnership throughout the past 8 years and to chart an ambitious roadmap for the next phase of collaboration. Discussions focused on joint research, student and faculty mobility, innovation ecosystems, strategic internationalization, and emerging opportunities for bilateral engagement between India and Australia.
IITD Director Professor Rangan Banerjee and UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AC signed the agreement, signalling a shared commitment to advance long-term, high-impact collaboration.
Reflecting on eight years of partnership
UQ Chancellor Mr Peter Varghese AO reflected on the evolution of the partnership since 2018 and highlighted the critical role universities play in strengthening bilateral ties at a time of growing strategic importance.
“India is a key partner for Australia – and universities are central to this relationship, building capability, driving discovery, and fostering the enduring people-to-people links that support long-term, sustainable collaboration,” Mr Varghese said.
“Our discussions with partners in India consistently reinforce a shared ambition – to work together more deeply, address common challenges, and unlock new opportunities that will deliver lasting benefits for both countries.”
Mr Varghese highlighted several key foundations that guide the UQ-IITD partnership, noting deeper academic and research connections would generate long-term value and create opportunities for impactful collaboration between India and Australia.
- Building a strong research partnership between two research-intensive institutions
- Strengthening networks and relationships among researchers and academic communities
- Expanding industry engagement through collaborative initiatives between UQ and IIT Delhi
- Identifying research areas aligned with both national priorities and the strategic priorities of the two institutions
IITD’s vision for 2030
Professor Rangan Banerjee shared IITD’s evolving strategic vision for 2030, highlighting internationalization as one of the institute’s key priorities for growth. He also referred to several international collaborations undertaken by IIT Delhi and reflected on the progress of the UQ-IITD Research Academy.
“What I find very useful in terms of what we have done is the students who are in our Academy, are quite happy with the experience,” he said.
As we renew the partnership, IIT Delhi is happy with the research partnership with UQ. This has resulted in over 200 joint research publications, 23 joint graduates of more than 130 PhD researchers currently enrolled. PhD researchers at the Academy seem to be satisfied with the research experience in two ecosystems and are poised to do well in their career. We are now opening this initiative to more international students. We have identified joint research proposals and curated white papers to have a greater impact in areas of interest to Australia and India.
UQ’s strategic outlook towards 2032
The renewal of the UQ–IITD Research Academy agreement aligns with UQ’s global vision towards 2032, as Brisbane prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games—placing the University and region on the world stage.
Professor Terry said the milestone provides a clear focus for showcasing UQ’s strengths in education, research and its contribution to the public good.
As the partnership enters its next phase, UQ will prioritise expanded two-way mobility, stronger faculty exchange, and scaled joint research, particularly in areas of shared strategic importance such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, critical minerals and climate resilience.
Professor Terry highlighted the success of the Academy’s joint PhD program – one of UQ’s flagship global initiatives – with 133 current candidates and a growing cohort of graduates contributing as highly skilled researchers worldwide.
“We have seen the depth and breadth of collaborative research across a range of critical areas, from energy and sustainability to digital technologies to health and biomedical sciences,” Professor Terry said.
“And just as importantly, we have heard from the students and researchers at the heart of this work – individuals who are not only advancing knowledge but also building the relationships and networks that will shape the future.
Celebrating new and outgoing leaders
Senior leaders from both sides recognised the contributions of Professor P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan, Professor-in-Charge of the Academy (PICA), as he concluded his tenure, acknowledging his role in strengthening the UQ–IITD Research Academy. Professor Abhijit Majumdar, Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, was welcomed as the incoming PICA for 2026–2028, marking a leadership transition into the next phase of the program.
This visit also marked Mr Varghese’s final official engagement in India as UQ Chancellor, concluding a tenure during which he has played a significant role in advancing Australia–India engagement. Both the UQ Vice-Chancellor and IITD Director expressed deep appreciation to Mr Varghese for his contributions and sustained efforts in driving the UQ-IITD Research Academy.
In his closing remarks, Mr Varghese highlighted the strong potential for deeper collaboration between Australia and India, particularly as India continues its rise as a major global economy.
“UQ is taking a long-term view of this relationship, and anything we can do to accelerate this work benefits both our institutions and strengthens the broader partnership,” Mr Varghese said.
On this occasion, the Academy official launched its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key initiatives, activities and partnerships throughout 2025.
The Annual Symposium will be held at IIT Delhi this September. Learn more.