A New Chapter in Global Education, Research, and Skill Development
Unnao — Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh campus (CU UP), the state’s first private AI-augmented multidisciplinary university, has taken a major leap toward strengthening international academic collaboration by signing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the prestigious University of Newcastle, Australia. The partnership aims to expand global opportunities in higher education, research, and skill development while fostering an ecosystem aligned with the evolving demands of global industries.
The MoU focuses on building long-term academic cooperation in key areas including student exchange programmes, faculty exchange, joint research projects, international conferences and workshops, and advanced skill-development initiatives. Under the agreement, students will benefit from semester exchange programmes, global training modules, short-term internships, and exposure to multicultural learning environments. Faculty members from both institutions will collaborate on co-teaching, shared research activities, and academic resource exchange.
The partnership will also accelerate joint research in emerging and innovation-driven fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Health Sciences, Environmental Science, Information Technology, and Science & Technology. CU UP will introduce specialised training and skill-building programmes to enhance global employability and help students develop a competitive international profile.
A special delegation from the University of Newcastle visited the CU UP campus for the signing ceremony. The team included Dr. Alec Voninski, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global); Prof. Karen Blackmore, Dean & Head, School of Information and Physical Sciences; and Dr. Gurpreet, International Director. The delegation explored CU UP’s high-tech research labs, AI-driven infrastructure, and global-standard facilities, praising the university’s advanced academic ecosystem.
The MoU was formally signed by Jay Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director, Chandigarh University UP campus, and Dr. Alec Voninski on behalf of the University of Newcastle. Speaking on the occasion, Sandhu said the collaboration would “open new pathways of high-quality education and world-class research opportunities for students and scholars,” adding that CU UP is committed to setting new benchmarks in international education.
Representing the University of Newcastle, Dr. Voninski expressed strong optimism about the partnership. “I am delighted to be here and deeply impressed by Chandigarh University UP. The enthusiasm of students and the strength of the faculty reflect the bright future of this institution,” he said.
“We foresee numerous avenues of collaboration — starting with student exchanges from next May, co-developing curricula, co-teaching, and research partnerships. With India–Australia relations at an all-time high, we look forward to working together in sustainable development, AI, cybersecurity, and innovation. CU UP’s AI-driven curriculum and strong industry linkages make it an emerging global institution. We are excited about this partnership.”
Senior university officials including Prof. Dr. T.P. Singh (Pro Vice-Chancellor), Dr. Ajay Kumar Yadav (Registrar), Dr. Rajan Sharma (Executive Director, Office of International Affairs), along with several deans, directors, and heads of departments, attended the event. They hailed the MoU as a historic milestone for CU UP and a significant step forward in global academic collaboration, research advancement, and cultural exchange.
With this agreement, Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh has positioned itself as a rising hub for global learning, strengthening India–Australia educational ties and paving the way for next-generation talent development.
