Lokesh Seeks Australia Ties in Tech, Tourism, Health
The Minister, who is on a multi-city tour to promote Andhra Pradesh, visited Griffith University's Gold Coast campus and also held discussions in Brisbane to advance global education, innovation and sports partnerships
Vijayawada: On the fifth day of his Australia tour, education minister N. Lokesh stepped up efforts to forge strategic collaborations with leading Australian institutions in education, tourism, research and healthcare.
His series of meetings in Melbourne and Hobart aimed at strengthening academic linkages, promoting innovation partnerships and boosting skill development across multiple sectors.
During his visit to the University of Melbourne on Thursday, Lokesh interacted with Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Johnston and other faculty members. He urged the university to partner with Andhra Pradesh in advancing skill development and research in artificial intelligence, cyber security, the Internet of Things (IoT) and quantum technologies.
Pointing to AP’s rapid progress in renewable energy, agriculture and healthcare, the minister who also handles IT, sought collaboration to establish joint research centres in the state focused on improving crop yields, water management and sustainable agriculture, in partnership with Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University.
Lokesh also sought the university’s assistance in digital health innovation and telemedicine programmes to improve healthcare access in remote areas, and in supporting Andhra Pradesh’s smart city and renewable energy initiatives.
Emma Johnston briefed the delegation about the university’s global standing and strategic collaborations with Indian institutions through the Melbourne Global Centre in New Delhi. She highlighted the university’s international outreach, ranking 13th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025, and its role in research excellence and innovation-driven education.
Lokesh met Victoria’s tourism and sports minister Steve Dimopoulos to explore collaborations in heritage tourism, eco-certification and sports exchanges. Stressing on AP’s 1,053km coastline and scenic sites such as Papikondalu and Visakhapatnam beaches, he sought Victoria’s expertise in coastal resilience and branding on the lines of the Great Ocean Road.
The AP minister proposed joint research in sustainable coastal development and waste management, and requested Victoria’s participation in hosting global sporting and tourism events in the state. He also suggested student and athlete exchange programmes in cricket and hockey, alongside adventure tourism initiatives modelled after Victoria’s Alpine National Park.
He appealed to the Victorian government to assist Andhra Pradesh in promoting green job skills related to renewable energy projects.
At the University of Tasmania, Lokesh held discussions with deputy vice-chancellor Professor Natalie Brown and explored joint initiatives in pharmacy, paramedical education, and rural healthcare. Emphasizing curriculum modernisation in line with global accreditation systems, he invited collaboration to integrate digital health technologies such as AI and telemedicine in paramedical training.
Lokesh proposed joint research on rural health and water supply challenges in Andhra Pradesh’s tribal areas and Tasmania’s remote communities, and faculty/student exchange programmes in nursing and pharmacy.
Later, he met Bupa Asia-Pacific’s COO Bijal Sejpal and urged the multinational healthcare and insurance company to set up a Global Capability Centre in Visakhapatnam.
Highlighting the city’s growing role as a digital and data hub, Lokesh sought Bupa’s support in advancing rural digital healthcare projects in partnership with the AP government. Sejpal assured him a positive response, stating the proposal would be discussed at the corporate level.
