During a recent visit to India, Charles Sturt representatives visited partner institutions to formally sign dual-degree agreements and promote the University to prospective students.

The dual-degree agreements allow students to divide their studies between the university in their home country and Charles Sturt. Upon completion of both the in-country and Australian phases of the course, students receive a degree from both universities.

Course areas in scope of the agreements include agriculture, communications, information technology, and business.

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renée Leon, said the dual-degree arrangements - which are proposed to be exempt from international student caps - demonstrate the value of international education opportunities to students, universities and nations.

“Substantive transnational education partnerships like these are an important focus of the Australian Government’s draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework, helping to build real people-to-people linkages between our two countries,” Professor Leon said.

“Agreements like these and, more broadly, welcoming international students to Australia, are important for maintaining Australia’s international relationships and economic prosperity.

“For Charles Sturt, whose network of regional campuses will always be its primary focus, the ability to deliver courses to regional students and generate regionally focussed research is underpinned by a strong cohort of international students.”

Charles Sturt Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, Mr Mike Ferguson, said these arrangements offer students an efficient way to earn two degrees while providing them with an international study experience.

“Our dual-degree partnerships mean international students will receive an Australian and Indian degree in the same time they would have spent completing one degree in their home country,” Mr Ferguson said.

“Having qualifications from both India and Australia will equip students with a truly global experience, boosting their appeal to future employers.”

Charles Sturt now has dual-degree agreements with India’s Jaypee Institute of Information Technology and Yenepoya University; as well as articulation agreements with Parul University, Lovely Professional University, and Varendra University in Bangladesh.

Charles Sturt and partner university representatives also discussed opportunities for meaningful collaboration in other areas, including research and overseas study opportunities for Australian students.