Western Sydney University Inks MoU With UP Government To Establish Its 1st Campus In India

Lucknow, January 3 (TNA) The Government of Uttar Pradesh and Western Sydney University (WSU), Australia, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish WSU’s first campus in India in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, inked the MoU at Lucknow, and Professor Deborah Sweeney, Acting Vice Chancellor of WSU.

Monika S. Garg, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, M P Aggarwal, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, N G Ravi Kumar, CEO of Greater Noida Authority and Prathamesh Kumar, ACEO, Invest UP were also present during the MOU signing ceremony.

Chief Secretary Singh highlighted the significance of this partnership for both WSU and Uttar Pradesh. He stated that WSU will be the first foreign university to establish a campus in Greater Noida, with the campus being planned in a commercial building in Greater Noida in 1st phase. In the 2nd phase, a full-fledged university campus will be developed on a sprawling 7-acre site in Greater Noida. He also emphasised that Uttar Pradesh is the fastest-growing state in India, particularly in the Western UP region, which contributes significantly to GDP and agriculture production. Furthermore, the upcoming Jewar Airport in Greater Noida will boost exports and provide seamless global connectivity.

The Greater Noida campus aligns with Uttar Pradesh's Higher Education Incentive Policy 2024, which aims to create a flexible, inclusive, and robust higher education system. This policy provides financial incentives to attract domestic and international institutions, unlocking the potential of the State’s youthful population and promoting long-term economic growth.

As part of WSU's global expansion, the Greater Noida campus will bring world-class education and innovation to India, strengthening ties between India and Australia. Ranked among the top 10 young universities, WSU is known for its excellence in sustainability and innovation. The proposed campus in Greater Noida will serve as a hub for transformative learning and entrepreneurship, supporting Uttar Pradesh’s AgTech initiatives and advancing smart agriculture, water management, and climate adaptation, positioning the state as a leader in emerging industries.

The MOU signing ceremony in Lucknow was also attended by Dr Nicolene Murdoch, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global) at WSU, Bill Parasiris, Vice-President of Operations and Commercial at WSU; Dr. Nisha Rakhesh, Head of International Strategy and Partnerships (Food and Environment) at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, WSU, Mathew Johnston, Minister-Counsellor (Education and Research) from the Australian Government Department of Education at the Australian High Commission, New Delhi and Dr. Kopal Chaube, Lead for Research Collaborations and Partnerships (South Asia).