Australian varsity’s Chennai campus to begin classes on Oct 19

Chennai: The regular classes will begin at the Chennai campus of the University of Western Australia (UWA) on October 19, officials said. The university’s international branch campus in Chennai is beginning its student orientation programme on Monday, they added.

UWA received final approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to open its campus in Chennai recently, its Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said in a press note.

“The final UGC approval allows the institution to move from the planning phase to welcoming its first cohort of students,” he added.

The launch follows the opening of UWA Mumbai in September and forms part of the university’s AUD 80 million long-term investment in wholly owned campuses in India. UWA is recognised as a global top 100 university and is a member of Australia’s Group of Eight, according to the press note.

The Chennai campus spans 70,000 sq. ft. and is located on Velachery Main Road, the press note added. The UWA Chennai campus will offer undergraduate degrees, including a Bachelor of Business (Business Management), Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), Bachelor of Science (Data Science), and Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (AI).

Additionally, it will offer postgraduate programs in Information Technology and Business Administration (MBA).

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is quoted as saying in the press note that UWA’s presence will add to the state’s ecosystem and provide students with access to an internationally recognised university.

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook noted that the Chennai campus provides a new platform to deepen connections and create opportunities across both regions.

Chancellor Diane Smith-Gander added that the campus will combine the depth of a UWA degree with the opportunities created by studying in a dynamic city like Chennai.