Overview
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, announced an expansion of its academic and research engagement with New South Wales (NSW) through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Sydney. The MoU, signed on 2 September 2026, aims to strengthen cooperation in education, research, innovation and international mobility.
Existing NSW Partnerships
MAHE already maintains active collaborations with five universities in NSW: the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University, the University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University. These partnerships cover academic and research activities as well as student and faculty mobility.
NSW India Mission Context
The MoU was formalised during the NSW Government’s India Mission, which took place from 31 August to 3 September 2026. The mission, led by The Honourable Chris Minns MP, Premier of NSW, and The Honourable Daniel Mookhey MLC, NSW Treasurer, brought together senior government officials, policymakers, academics and industry leaders from both regions to explore deeper bilateral cooperation across the economy, education, research, innovation and culture. A special reception was hosted at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, where the Premier, Treasurer, and the NSW delegation met Indian government leaders and MAHE representatives.
MoU Announcement
At the Mumbai reception, the MAHE‑University of Sydney MoU was publicly announced and the partnership was presented in the presence of the NSW Premier and Treasurer. The agreement translates the high‑level government engagement of the mission into a concrete institutional collaboration.
Statements from Leadership
Dr Sharath K. Rao, Vice Chancellor of MAHE, said, “The NSW Government’s India Mission provides an important platform for strengthening the longstanding ties between New South Wales and India. Education, research and innovation can play a defining role in building deeper, more sustainable relationships between our two regions. MAHE’s growing partnerships with universities in NSW reflect our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and researchers to collaborate and exchange knowledge. We look forward to contributing to a stronger India‑NSW partnership through sustained academic, research and innovation‑led engagement.”
MAHE Institutional Profile
MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across Health Sciences, Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences and Technology & Science streams through constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur and Dubai. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the Institution of Eminence status. The university is currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 rankings and is positioned as a preferred choice for students and corporations seeking top talent.