New Delhi, 25 March 2025: 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. The second phase, which started in Chennai followed by Pune, Ahmedabad and New Delhi brought together top-quality Australian universities and retail partners on a single platform. The New Delhi 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 Mr Kin Eng Chin, Associate Professor, School of Education, College of Health and Education, Murdoch University
- Insight Masterclass on IELTS Essentials: Fastrack Your Success presented by Ms Sujata Chhabra, Independent education consultant.
- Pep talk with Ms Shruti Chandra, Head of Government relations and Public Policy at Prudential PLC, Alumna of University of Melbourne
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 New Delhi based retailer Food Square to promote a range of Australian products at the food pavilion.
The Festival of Australia also featured a curated event, “Retail Dialogue” covering the current Indian retail landscape, trends, impacts and opportunities underAustralia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) and a general discussion on tariffs. The audience included prominent retailers and F&B importers of the city. Students from the International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, participated in a virtual masterclass on “Careers in Global Hospitality” delivered by Prof Francisco Navarrete, Lecturer in the Food and Beverage Department of Torrens University, Adelaide. The masterclass delved into aspects of entrepreneurship required for setting up food businesses and explored sustainable hospitality. Australian hospitality education excels in practical, hands-on training, a multicultural environment, and internationally recognised qualifications, preparing students for diverse career paths and global opportunities.
IICA students also participated in the retail showcase, learning about Australian ingredients and brands, and experiencing live cooking demonstrations featuring Australian lamb and avocados. These offered guests an opportunity to taste dishes prepared using premium Australian ingredients, providing firsthand experience of Australia’s finest culinary delights.
Speaking about the festival, Mr Vik Singh, 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.
