A new agreement between Flinders University and Chitkara University in India’s northern Punjab region is set to expand education collaboration between the two universities.

The agreement was signed at Chitkara University by Dr Madhu Chitkara, Chancellor Chitkara University, and Vice-President and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Sebastian Raneskold. Director International Recruitment Matt Schultz and Sadhana Lalla, Manager Recruitment and Partnerships (India) were also in attendance from Flinders University.

A tree planting ceremony was held to mark the milestone, symbolic of the partnership’s anticipated growth and future benefits for both universities and both countries.

The collaboration has already resulted in a Flinders-Chitkara dedicated scholarship and the opening of a ‘Flinders Corner’ at Chitkara to give students Flinders course information and a taste of life at Flinders. These were both launched at the signing ceremony. With New Colombo Plan collaboration, sponsored Flinders University academic staff participation in Chitkara’s well-regarded Global Education week is on the agenda as further opportunities are investigated.

The ceremony was the culmination of extensive work behind the scenes to form a partnership framework that would deliver mutual benefits now and into the future, enthusiastically shaped by staff at both universities with key support from Sanjeev Sahni, Vice-President, Office of International Affairs at Chitkara.

It has been a highlight of a bustling visit to India by the Flinders delegation, where they took part in the Australia-India Business Exchange delegation led by Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham between 24 and 28 February 2020.

Chitkara is a modern private university which, like Flinders, prides itself on thinking differently.