Indo-Australian academic first: PJTSAU and WSU launch joint BSc agriculture course

PJTSAU and WSU, Australia, have signed a landmark agreement to offer the country's first-of-its-kind BSc Agriculture programme.

A delegation from PJTSAU led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Aldas Janaiah called on WSU on Monday and held elaborate discussions with its Vice-Chancellor and President George Williams AO, along with other senior officials.

Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University in collaboration with Western Sydney University in Australia has officially inaugurated a novel joint BSc Agriculture course, which is the first ever such combination in India. This historic agreement was inked after high-level discussions between the PJTSAU delegation, led by its Vice-Chancellor Professor Aldas Janaiah, with the leadership of WSU, including Vice-Chancellor and President George Williams AO.

Key Features of the Joint Programme

Postgraduate Pathways:

Upon completion of the dual degree, students can go on to complete a one-year Master’s at WSU that will provide them with eligibility for up to three years of post-study work rights in Australia. Highly qualified graduates also have opportunities to apply directly to a WSU PhD, which is often funded through scholarships or fee waivers.

Focus on Innovation and AI:

This will involve research into and the implementation of artificial intelligence in agricultural technologies for the benefit of the students and farming communities in Telangana.​ Admissions and Intake: The course will begin in the 2025-26 academic year, admitting a total of 40 students. Eligibility: Minimum 75% marks in Biology, Physics, and Chemistry at Intermediate level (12th std). Application details and admission notification, including NRI quota, would be made available through PJTSAU.​ Recognition and Importance This course is accredited by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, which guarantees its credibility and value in India and abroad.​ This collaboration represents an "academic first" between India and Australia as far as undergraduate agricultural education is concerned and would open global exposure, collaborative research, and skill development. It thus would mark a new chapter in Indo-Australian academic collaboration for world-class agricultural education and research to the students of India while further consolidating the bilateral relationship of the two nations.