Melbourne Varsity Enrolls 50K Students From AP Schools

Vijayawada: The University of Melbourne has surpassed the ambitious target set in December 2023 to reach 50,000 students through the Schools Engagement Program (SEP) in Andhra Pradesh.

The milestone was passed ahead of schedule and has now exceeded 60,000 students engaged in Andhra Pradesh alone, with more than 70,000 students from over 150 schools across India reached through the program since 2020.

The Schools Engagement Program supports underrepresented secondary school students in India through career guidance and future planning, helping them understand labour markets and develop their social mobility, empowering them to thrive in their studies and life. Initially launched in seven schools in Pune and Madurai, the program expanded to over 100 Government schools in five districts in Andhra Pradesh in 2023.

Prof Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement), University of Melbourne said, “This program reflects the University of Melbourne’s commitment to long-term engagement within India, supporting the country on its ambitious education journey. India is home to the largest tertiary population in the world. Empowering the tens of thousands of young students through this program is just one of the ways we endeavour to enrich academic capabilities in India, and we would like to reach as many students as possible.”

Speaking on the occasion, ASR District Collector Dinesh Kumar emphasised the importance of engaging with young students, who are the future leaders of society. He stated, “timely intervention is crucial; if we don’t act now and expand our efforts, we risk losing a ‘demographic dividend’ that will be essential to leverage the productive population and future- ready world.

Missing this opportunity could have significant repercussions, not only within India but on a global scale, as the country increasingly stands to export skills and talent.”