The Australia India Institute, in partnership with the Regional Universities Network and Section Infin8 Foundation, has launched UTTHAN Pathways: Building Regional Research Partnerships, a new project connecting regionally headquartered Australian universities with higher education institutions in India’s Tier 2 and 3 cities to strengthen regional research capacity and build lasting bilateral partnerships.
Mission UTTHAN is India’s national agenda for building research and innovation capacity outside major Tier 1 cities. UTTHAN stands for Upscale Tier 2 & Tier 3 Institutes For Holistic Advancement Of Their Network. The Institute’s UTTHAN Pathways program builds on this mission by creating pathways for collaboration between researchers in regional Australian universities and Tier 2 and 3 institutions in India.
A key component of UTTHAN Pathways is the UTTHAN Pathways Accelerator, a series of three online sessions held across September 2026, bringing together researchers and institutional leaders from both countries to build mutual understanding, identify collaboration opportunities, and develop practical strategies for international research partnerships.
Day 1 — Finding Synergies for Research Capability-Building
Thursday 3 September 2026 | 14:00–16:30 AEST / 9:30–12:00 IST
Panel discussion and partnership sprints exploring synergies in research capability-building across institutional support, network-building and researcher professional development.
Day 2 — Navigating System-Level Challenges in International Research Collaboration
Wednesday 9 September 2026 | 14:00–16:00 AEST / 9:30–12:00 IST
Panel discussion and barrier-busting labs to identify practical responses to systemic constraints including institutional approvals, resourcing, and incentive structures.
Day 3 — International Research Collaboration Strategies for Regional Impact
Thursday 24 September 2026 | 14:00–16:30 AEST / 9:30–12:00 IST
Panel discussion and workshops on building cross-border pathways to industry and community engagement, from identifying partners to building credibility with industry and investment communities.