Monash University and the Manipal Institute of Technology, part of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, have announced a new dual degree partnership creating pathways for Indian students to study software engineering or chemical engineering in Australia.
From August 2026, through the new program, eligible Bachelor of Technology students at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) will have the option to commence their studies in India before transferring to Monash University in Australia for the final two years of their degree. On completion, graduates will receive two degrees, one from MIT and one from Monash University.
Monash’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Vice-President, Professor Craig Jeffrey said the partnership reflects Monash’s commitment to delivering global education opportunities that support the future engineering workforce.
“This dual degree partnership with Manipal Institute of Technology creates a world-class pathway for talented students in India to earn two degrees and gain a truly international engineering education,” Professor Jeffrey said.
“By studying in both India and Australia, students will build technical capability, global networks and the confidence to work across borders in industries shaping the future, from secure digital systems to sustainable industrial processes.”
Speaking on the collaboration, MIT’s Director, Cdr Dr Anil Rana, said India’s future depends on engineers who can contribute to global industries while solving challenges at home.
“We are thrilled to partner with Monash University and offer our students the opportunity to learn across the two countries, while maintaining quality, consistency and a clear progression toward graduating with a strong launchpad of two recognised degrees,” Dr Rana said.
Students will start the degree at MIT in India and, if they meet the requirements, transfer to Monash in Australia for the final two years of the Bachelor of Technology degree for either software or chemical engineering. Credit will be granted for the subjects they complete at MIT. There will be up to 60 places available to transfer to Monash per year.
For chemical engineering, students will undertake advanced Monash study focused on the design and optimisation of industrial processes, including process control, reaction engineering, process design and particle technology. Students will also complete major design and project-based units supporting real-world engineering applications.
Monash’s Faculty of Engineering Deputy Dean (Education) Professor Rajendran Partiban said the partnership aligns with industry demand for graduates equipped to support clean technologies, advanced manufacturing and sustainable process engineering.
“Chemical engineers play a vital role in tackling global challenges, from clean technologies to safer, more sustainable industrial systems,” Professor Partiban said.
“This dual degree partnership will provide students with rigorous technical foundations, practical design experience and exposure to world-leading engineering education in Australia, preparing them to contribute with confidence in a rapidly evolving sector.”
In software engineering, students will undertake Monash units on designing secure and scalable digital systems and learn how to apply AI to modern software development.
This includes software security, operating systems, cloud computing, and software engineering architecture and design, alongside emerging capabilities in AI-assisted engineering, and the design of AI-enabled systems.
Monash’s Faculty of Information Technology Deputy Dean (Education), Professor Jean-Guy Schneider, said the dual degree will support students in graduating with both technical depth and applied, industry-relevant capability.
“Software engineering today is about building systems that are secure, reliable and designed for real-world complexity and increasingly, that means engineering AI-enabled software responsibly,” Professor Schneider said.
“Through this dual degree, students will graduate with strong foundations in software architecture, cybersecurity and modern computing, as well as the skills to build, evaluate, deploy and govern AI-enabled software systems, alongside the professional engineering skills and project experience that employers increasingly expect.”
The dual degree partnership has been established through a formal agreement between Monash University and MIT, outlining the academic structure of the collaboration, credit transfer arrangements, and the shared responsibilities of both institutions in supporting students across the pathway.
Students will be required to meet Monash admission requirements and Australian student visa eligibility requirements before transferring to Australia.
The new agreement builds on Monash’s already extensive engagement with India, including through the IITB-Monash Research Academy, partnerships with leading Indian Universities, and research in areas key to India’s economic growth, such as health, sustainable housing, energy, critical minerals, transport and AI technologies.
This partnership was made possible by funding from the Yes to International Students Fund, a Victorian Government initiative.
