- Through this event, we aim to raise awareness and create new opportunities for Indian students, families, and food enthusiasts to explore Australia as a leading destination for top-tier education and fine dining experiences: Mary Overington, Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Austrade
- Kin Eng Chin, Associate Professor, School of Education, College of Health and Education, Murdoch University presents Academic Masterclass on ‘Building a Brighter Future, together – The Education Chapter’
- Renata Sguario, CEO & Founder, Maxme presents Insight Masterclass on ‘The critical upskilling needed to thrive in the age of Artificial Intelligence’
- Icing on the cake: Pep talk with Vikas Panjabi, Co-founder and Managing Director at The Chocolate Room India, Alumnus of University of Western Sydney
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 20
Aiming to woo Indian students in general and Gujarati students in particular to pursue their higher education Down Under, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) organised the second phase of “Festival of Australia,” a first-of-its-kind four-city showcase celebrating Australia’s world-class education and premium food and beverage products here on Thursday.

The second phase, which started in Chennai followed by Pune and Ahmedabad, brought together top-quality Australian universities and retail partners on a single platform.
Following Ahmedabad, the festival will be held in New Delhi on 22 March 2025.
The Ahmedabad showcase provided an invaluable opportunity for Indian students and parents to engage directly with representatives of Australian universities to explore educational programs designed to support their academic and career aspirations.
Prospective students gained insights on Studying in Australia by attending the following masterclasses organised as a part of the showcase:
- Academic Masterclass on Building a Brighter Future, together – The Education Chapter presented by Kin Eng Chin, Associate Professor, School of Education, College of Health and Education, Murdoch University
- Insight Masterclass on The critical upskilling needed to thrive in the age of Artificial Intelligence presented by Renata Sguario, CEO & Founder, Maxme
- Pep talk with Vikas Panjabi, Co-founder and Managing Director at The Chocolate Room India, Alumnus of University of Western Sydney
The festival also showcased an offering of premium food products, including honey, nutrition bars, sauces, cheese, pasta, seafood, and lamb at the Australia Food pavilion.
Austrade collaborated with Jio Mart to set up an ‘Australia Pavilion’ on their e-commerce platform and Ahmedabad based retailer Magson Gourmet Foods to promote a range of Australian products at the food pavilion.
Live cooking demonstrations at the festival offered guests an opportunity to taste dishes prepared using premium Australian ingredients, providing firsthand experience of the country’s finest culinary delights.
Speaking about the festival, Mary Overington, Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Austrade, said, “We are very happy to host the second phase of the festival, showcasing Australia’s excellence in education and cuisine. Through this event, we aim to raise awareness and create new opportunities for Indian students, families, and food enthusiasts to explore Australia as a leading destination for top-tier education and fine dining experiences. The growing presence of Australian produce in Indian cuisine is a testament to the increasing demand for high-quality ingredients.”
Australia and India’s educational ties have deepened over the years, fostering strong economic and cultural connections that continue to grow. The Festival of Australia strengthens Australia’s presence in India and celebrates a shared commitment to cross-cultural appreciation and collaboration.
Four Australian Universities have already set up their overseas campuses in GIFT City, Gandhinagar.