UNSW Sydney opens Bengaluru campus to enhance job-ready skills

UNSW Sydney Launches Bengaluru Campus with Focus on Industry-Driven Education

The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia, officially inaugurated its Bengaluru campus at Manyata Tech Park on Thursday, marking a significant step in its global expansion. Vice-Chancellor and President Attila Brungs emphasized that the institution aims to bridge the job skills gap among young graduates through an innovative, industry-integrated curriculum.

AI and Industry at the Core of Learning

Speaking to The Hindu after the launch, Prof. Brungs highlighted the challenges posed by AI technology in education, both in India and Australia. To address this, UNSW’s curriculum incorporates AI tools while focusing on job-ready skills. “Our framework ensures that students learn to use AI tools effectively while also developing critical human skills like problem-solving and critical thinking,” he said. The university’s assessment strategy alternates between mandatory AI tool usage and human-centric inputs to balance technical and interpersonal competencies.

UNSW boasts a strong employability track record, with 90% of its graduates securing jobs immediately after completing their studies. Prof. Brungs expressed a commitment to replicating this success in Bengaluru by engaging students with industry challenges from the very first year of undergraduate programmes. “All our courses incorporate real-world industry problems, aligning with India’s National Education Policy (2020),” he added.

Small Cohorts, Big Opportunities

The Bengaluru campus has enrolled 91 students across four programmes: Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions, and Masters in Cyber Security. To ensure personalized attention and deeper industry exposure, each programme is capped at just 30 students. “This approach allows students to fully grasp the ecosystem of working in the industry,” Prof. Brungs noted.

Why Bengaluru?

Explaining the choice of Bengaluru for its international campus, Prof. Brungs described the city as “the beating heart of start-ups in India.” He highlighted that UNSW leads Australian universities in start-up innovation, producing more start-ups than all others combined. Bengaluru’s educated populace and vast potential for upskilling made it an ideal location. “The opportunity here is extraordinary, not just for us but for the youth who need quality education and skills to secure good jobs,” he said.

Accessibility Through Scholarships

Prof. Brungs also stressed UNSW’s commitment to making education accessible to talented but underserved students in India. “Many aspiring youngsters lack access to quality higher education. Our scholarships and programmes aim to support them in pursuing their dreams,” he said.

The Bengaluru campus launch comes as other global institutions, such as the University of Liverpool and University of Lancaster, also prepare to establish a presence in the city. However, UNSW’s focus on industry integration and innovation sets it apart as it seeks to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in India.

Source: The Hindu