UniSport Australia has announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Indian Universities. In a move that further strengthens the relationship between the two nations, the MOU will see the rapid expansion of opportunities for Australian and Indian students to enrich their university level education through sport.

With a revolutionary T20 Cricket Tour due to kick off the agreement in Australia in November this year, UniSport Australia CEO Mark Sinderberry hailed the partnership as an exciting opportunity for both the students and universities.

Sinderberry said, "Australia and India are strong economic partners, and our sporting relationship has been growing through competitive sport for decades. This MOU is an important step to provide opportunities for students to take part in competitive sport while gaining invaluable experience and knowledge through their university education.

"International exchange programmes are central to University Institutions and their global networks. Launching this MOU with a T20 cricket tour of Australia and India, and welcoming student athletes to our shores through a sport that both countries have such a strong love, is a brilliant pathway for competitive sport UniSport Australia is thrilled to be working closely with our friends the Association of Indian Universities."

India and Australia have cemented their relationship with a major MoU.
India and Australia have cemented their relationship with a major MoU.

With both the Australian and Indian governments committed to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership from 2020, including a focus on education, the MOU further strengthens the relationship across the Indo-Pacific. "The Association of Indian Universities is delighted to partner with UniSport Australia in the development of University sport between our two nations," said Baljit Singh Sekhon, Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities. 

"This opportunity to work together will give our university sportspersons to achieve sporting excellence in cricket and hockey. India and Australia share very close economic, educational and cultural ties which will now be strengthened through the common bond of university sport," he concluded. 

The T20 tour is set to take place in November and December 2024 before Australian athletes travel to India in May. The Australian team selections will come through the competitive UniSport system, with the Australian National Championships hosting T20 competition in September.