A first-of-its-kind transnational education partnership between two of the world’s top STEM universities is set to help future engineers build their dream careers and address global skill demands at the same time.
More than 260 students have enrolled to study under the innovative Indian-Australian partnership between RMIT University and Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS PiIani), which began in 2023.
The flagship education program is designed to give students a global perspective to their craft as they complete dual engineering degrees equally between both campuses, leading to greater job opportunities post-graduation.
RMIT Executive Director International Layton Pike says the world-first program delivered a blueprint in higher education and cultural understanding.
“BITS Pilani and RMIT University are leading higher education providers in the region – our flagship partnership draws on those strengths to deliver world-class education,” he said.
“These courses ensure graduates are ready for the workplace. Not only will they have a range of opportunities to secure in-demand jobs in region, but they’ll also gain rich cross-cultural experiences along the way.
The program has even been praised by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan who praised its post-graduation benefits.
“RMIT and BITS Pilani are offering their students the best of both institutions, a great education that will help them secure jobs in Australia or India, and a multicultural connection that will last a lifetime,” she said.
Building new career paths
The partnership has recently expanded its dual programs to combine the Bachelor of Engineering with a Computer Science or Software Engineering degree, further expanding future students’ career pathways in anticipated high-demand STEM areas.
BITS Pilani Vice-Chancellor Professor Ramgopal Rao believes the new dual programs offer students the opportunity to become employment-ready in the STEM fields of the future.
“This innovative curriculum merges the strengths of both institutions, giving students a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies and software development principles,” he said.
“Students will step into a world where collaboration will lead to enhanced creativity, boundaries will be shattered, and the future of technology will be unravelled.”
