Advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT) are revolutionising how higher education is experienced, disseminated, and delivered worldwide. ICT is reshaping access to knowledge, redefining pedagogical approaches, and creating new avenues for collaboration and innovation among institutions, learners, and industry partners. As Australia and India navigate this evolving landscape, there are significant opportunities for collaboration that can strengthen educational practices and outcomes in both nations.
Against this backdrop, the Australia India InnovEd Forums provided a timely platform for stakeholders from various sectors to engage in meaningful dialogue about innovative education. Delivered in partnership with EduGrowth and the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-Bangalore), and supported by the Australian Government Department of Education, the InnovEd Forums comprised three webinars between mid-June and early August, followed by two in-person roundtables, the first in Melbourne on 15 August 2024, and the second in New Delhi on 17 September 2024.
The forums convened education researchers, academic leaders, government policymakers, and industry stakeholders to engage on critical themes related to the integration, recognition, and impact of online, hybrid, and technologically evolving modes of teaching and learning. As Australia and India strive to enhance their educational systems to meet evolving market needs, these discussions aimed to foster a contextual understanding of innovative digital education trends in both countries with the aim of exploring opportunities for fruitful areas of collaboration with beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders in higher education.
Key topics addressed during the forums included:
- Methodologies for quality delivery: Current and emerging issues in both countries in relation to methodologies for effective and quality delivery; policy reforms for high-quality online education across different education levels
- Partnerships in digital education: Government-to-Government (G2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) linkages, partnerships, and ongoing engagements in digital education, including the recognition of online and hybrid degrees, learning outcomes, and transnational higher education collaborations
- Digital learning infrastructure: Experiences of Australian and Indian education institutions with digital learning infrastructure and tools for monitoring quality learning outcomes and impact assessment
- Governance and qualification recognition: Governance and qualification recognition frameworks associated with digital education technologies and online delivery in both countries
- Generative AI in education: The role of generative AI in content creation, reproduction and delivery, and its implications for inclusivity and access in education.
The InnovEd Forums not only highlighted some of the pressing issues and trends in online and hybrid learning but have also helped lay the groundwork for future collaboration between Australia and India. By fostering connections among key stakeholders, the webinars and roundtable discussions have generated enthusiasm to jointly pursue strategic avenues and innovative solutions that can position the two countries at the forefront of advancements in digital higher education in the coming decades.
The InnovEd Series was delivered in partnership with EduGrowth and IIIT-Bangalore, and supported by the Australian Government Department of Education.