Ahmedabad: The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) organised the second phase of “Festival of Australia,” a first-of-its-kind four-city event showcasing Australia’s education and premium food and beverage products. The second phase, which started in Chennai followed by Pune and Ahmedabad, brought together Australian universities and retail partners on a single platform. Following Ahmedabad, the festival will be held in New Delhi on 22 March 2025.

The Ahmedabad showcase provided an opportunity for Indian students and parents to engage directly with representatives of Australian universities to explore educational programs designed to support their academic and career aspirations.

Prospective students gained insights on Studying in Australia by attending the following masterclasses organised as a part of the showcase:

1. Academic Masterclass on Building a Brighter Future, together – The Education Chapter presented by Mr Kin Eng Chin, Associate Professor, School of Education, College of Health and Education, Murdoch University
2. Insight Masterclass on The critical upskilling needed to thrive in the age of Artificial Intelligence presented by Ms Renata Sguario, CEO & Founder, Maxme
3. Pep talk with Mr Vikas Panjabi, Co-founder and Managing Director at The Chocolate Room India, Alumnus of University of Western Sydney

The festival featured a diverse range of premium food products, including honey, nutrition bars, sauces, cheese, pasta, seafood, and lamb, at the Australia Food Pavilion. Austrade partnered with JioMart to launch an ‘Australia Pavilion’ on its e-commerce platform and collaborated with Magson Gourmet Foods in Ahmedabad to promote Australian products. Live cooking demonstrations allowed guests to sample dishes made with high-quality Australian ingredients, offering a firsthand experience of the country’s finest culinary delights.

Speaking about the festival, Ms Mary Overington, Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Austrade, said, “We are very happy to host the second phase of the festival, showcasing Australia’s excellence in education and cuisine. Through this event, we aim to raise awareness and create new opportunities for Indian students, families, and food enthusiasts to explore Australia as a leading destination for top-tier education and fine dining experiences. The growing presence of Australian produce in Indian cuisine is a testament to the increasing demand for high-quality ingredients.” DeshGujarat