Monash University and the Manipal Institute of Technology have officially welcomed their inaugural cohort of dual-degree engineering students in India. The initiative aligns with India's national priorities by helping develop the highly skilled workforce required to strengthen technology capability, accelerate advanced manufacturing, and enable sustainability and digital transformation.
Supported by the Victorian Government's Yes to International Students Fund, this landmark educational partnership allows top-tier Indian students to secure two world-class degrees in just four years. The inaugural cohort includes 40 selected students, with 29 specialising in software engineering and 11 in chemical engineering.
They were welcomed at a ceremony in Manipal on 16 July 2026 attended by dignitaries from both institutions, and the Victorian State Government. The innovative 2+2 program structure will see students commence their academic journey in Manipal in July 2026, where they will undertake their first two years of intensive study.
In July 2028, the cohort will transfer to Melbourne, Australia, to complete their remaining two years at Monash University. Upon successful completion, graduates will be awarded two degrees, one from Manipal Institute of Technology and one from Monash.
Professor Yiannis Ventikos, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Monash notes the high employability the students will enjoy. “Chemical Engineering sits at the absolute centre of global sustainability challenges, from green energy transition to advanced materials,” he said.
“This exciting new program will equip these students with a truly international perspective, benefiting high-demand global workforces." Professor Ian Burnett, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash, is excited about the opportunities created by combining the complementary strengths of both institutions.
“These students will study at two top IT faculties. Manipal Institute of Technology’s reputation in experiential learning and high-performance computing, together with Monash’s leadership in data science, cybersecurity and human-centred computing will ensure work-ready graduates for tomorrow.”
The partnership launches at a time of unprecedented strength in the Australia-India bilateral relationship. Driven by shared national priorities in technological sovereignty, advanced manufacturing, and digital transformation, these dual degrees are explicitly designed to maximise industry engagement and deliver world-class career outcomes.
The curriculum aligns directly with the goals of India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which champions the internationalisation of higher education. “We deeply value our partnership with Monash University, an institution that shares our dedication to world-class research and academic excellence,” said Dr. Chandrakala C B, i/c Director and Professor of the Manipal Institute of Technology.
“This dual-degree framework will provide a transformative, bicultural education that seamlessly bridges Indian talent with global industry opportunities.” Monash was ranked 31st in the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2027, and is one of the fastest-rising universities in the top 50 globally, accelerating 29 places over the past decade.
This achievement is evidence of Monash’s growing impact in research and education, and the partnership with Manipal Institute of Technology reinforces Monash University's pride in its role as the university of the Indo-Pacific. Manipal Institute of Technology has an enviable reputation among India’s private engineering schools, known for its industry-aligned curricula, strong placement pipelines and solid expertise in AI and machine learning, and applied research.
When the cohort transitions to Melbourne in 2028, they will be entering a city ranked first in Australia, and fifth in the world, by the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2026. The city is celebrated for its diverse multicultural community, vibrant lifestyle, and outstanding post-study employment prospects.