MAHE and University of Sydney Sign MoU to Advance Research, Innovation and Global Mobility

Manipal, September 04, 2026: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, and the University of Sydney (USYD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen partnership across education, research, innovation and international mobility.

The MoU was signed at the Australian Consulate-General Residence in Mumbai on September 2^nd, 2026, by Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, and Professor Mike Ryan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), University of Sydney, in the presence of His Excellency Mr Philip Green OAM, High Commissioner of Australia to India and Mr Paul Murphy, Australian Consul- General in Mumbai.

The agreement provides a framework for MAHE and the University of Sydney to expand collaboration across five priority areas:

Flagship research programmes

Joint research funding and doctoral education

Expanded student and faculty mobility

Innovation and knowledge translation

Joint governance and measurable outcomes

The partnership will create opportunities for students, researchers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and industry partners from India and Australia to collaborate on shared challenges and translate research into meaningful societal impact.

His Excellency Mr Philip Green OAM, High Commissioner of Australia to India, said: “India and Australia are experiencing one of the strongest phases of their bilateral relationship, with growing cooperation across education, research, innovation and people-to-people engagement. We greatly value the partnership between two premier universities of our countries, which has developed over the past decade. This renewed collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to further widen the horizon of academic and research cooperation, particularly in engineering, medicine and management, and to create meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and researchers in both nations.”

Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said, “This MoU marks an important step in elevating the MAHE-University of Sydney partnership. By combining our strengths in education, research, healthcare and innovation, we can create transformative opportunities for students, researchers and faculty. We look forward to advancing multidisciplinary collaborations that address global challenges and generate meaningful societal impact."

Professor Mike Ryan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), University of Sydney, said, “The University of Sydney values its longstanding relationship with MAHE and the opportunities it creates for researchers, students and academic communities. This new agreement provides a strong framework for expanding our collaboration through joint research, doctoral education, mobility, and innovation. Together, we can build deeper institutional connections and translate our shared research strengths into outcomes with real-world impact.”

The partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing internationalisation, fostering global research collaboration, and creating opportunities for innovation-driven engagement between India and Australia.