Griffith University, Australia and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, have announced a landmark expansion of their more than decade-long strategic partnership, formalising a Dual Award Doctoral Programme and a joint commitment to establish the Griffith–MAHE Centre of Research Excellence at the MAHE campus.
The initiative represents Griffith University’s first partnership of this scale and nature in India. The collaboration also marks a significant milestone in MAHE’s continued efforts to strengthen globally connected research, doctoral training, academic mobility, and interdisciplinary innovation through strategic international partnerships.
Under the Dual Award Doctoral Programme, PhD scholars will be jointly supervised by academics from both Griffith University and MAHE, will be enrolled at both institutions simultaneously, and will be awarded doctoral degrees from both universities upon completion of a single, jointly delivered research programme. Scholars will undertake research across both campuses, gaining access to world-class expertise, advanced research infrastructure, and the combined global networks of two leading universities.
The programme is launched with a focus on health and transdisciplinary research, with plans to expand into engineering, information technology, digital health, sustainability, sports science, humanities, and emerging interdisciplinary fields. The partnership also lays the foundation for the Griffith–MAHE Centre of Research Excellence at MAHE, envisioned as a long-term platform for collaborative, high-impact research and innovation.
As part of this initiative, both institutions will establish a Collaborative Seed Funding Scheme supported by an initial investment of AUD 100,000 from Griffith University, matched by MAHE, to support joint research projects over the next three years. Speaking on the partnership, Professor Carolyn Evans said, “Our partnership with MAHE is one of the most significant and enduring international research relationships Griffith has built, and today’s announcement takes it to a new level.
This milestone gives doctoral scholars access to the expertise, infrastructure, and networks of two world-class universities, while deepening the research and innovation ties between Australia and India. The Dual Award Doctoral Programme and our vision for a joint Centre of Research Excellence are investments in the next generation of researchers and in the kind of bold, boundary-crossing scholarship that addresses the challenges that matter most.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Vice Chancellor, Dr Sharath K. Rao said, “MAHE has always believed that globally connected research and interdisciplinary collaboration are critical to addressing the evolving needs of society. Our long-standing relationship with Griffith University has consistently created meaningful academic opportunities for students and researchers from both institutions.
Through this expanded partnership, we are not only strengthening doctoral education and collaborative research but also building a platform that can drive innovation, foster global knowledge exchange, and create solutions with real-world impact.” Commenting on the partnership, Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Bengaluru, said, “This partnership reflects the growing importance of global collaboration in higher education and research.
The Dual Award Doctoral Programme and the proposed Centre of Research Excellence will provide scholars with access to international expertise, collaborative research ecosystems, and opportunities to work on globally relevant challenges. It also strengthens MAHE Bengaluru’s vision of fostering research-led innovation and building stronger international academic networks that can contribute to both regional and global knowledge creation.”
The announcement comes as Griffith University celebrates its 50th anniversary milestone, commemorating five decades of global impact in research, innovation, and higher education. The phased initiative is expected to accelerate early-stage research outputs, including publications, proof-of-concept studies, and international grant opportunities, while creating pathways for expanded industry collaborations, thematic research clusters, and eventually, a co-branded physical research presence at the MAHE campus.
India and Australia continue to witness growing momentum in bilateral collaboration across education, research, and innovation, supported by stronger institutional partnerships and shared strategic priorities. The Griffith University–MAHE collaboration reflects this broader vision of deepening people-to-people ties and advancing globally relevant research outcomes between the two countries.
Commenting on the development, Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, South Asia, Trade and Investment Queensland, said: “Queensland and India share a strong and growing relationship across education, research, and innovation, and partnerships such as this demonstrate the immense value of long-term institutional collaboration.
We are proud to support initiatives that bring together leading universities from both regions to foster global talent, accelerate impactful research, and create stronger academic and innovation linkages between Australia and India.” By combining MAHE’s strong academic and clinical ecosystem in India with Griffith University’s globally recognised research strengths, the partnership aims to contribute meaningful solutions to regional and global challenges spanning healthcare, technology, sustainability, and society.
Further details regarding candidate admissions under the Dual Award Doctoral Programme and the first call for collaborative seed funding projects will be announced in due course.