High Commissioner visits TAFE

INDIA’S High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay, has visited the Bendigo TAFE Health and Community Centre of Excellence.

Bendigo TAFE chief executive officer Sally Curtain said Mr Baglay’s attendance highlighted the already-strong education ties between Australia and India.

Mr Baglay toured the health training facility, which includes simulation areas with interactive mannequins, and cutting-edge diagnostic equipment.

He met students and staff, and discussed potential areas of collaboration between India and Bendigo TAFE, and mutual skills needs, with Ms Curtain.

“Bendigo TAFE is world-leading in vocational education and training through modern facilities and industry-experienced teachers, equipping our students with in-demand skills of the future,” Ms Curtain said.

She said it was a privilege to host Mr Baglay.

“This visit highlights the strong ties between India and Australia in the field of education, and Bendigo TAFE’s leadership and innovation in delivering vital training in critical skill shortage areas like healthcare,” Ms Curtain said.

“We look forward to continually collaborating with our overseas counterparts to share innovative ideas and best practices to advance vocational training and skills development within and beyond our shores.”

Bendigo TAFE currently trains more than 6400 students, with more than 1400 of those in the health and community sectors, in a bid to help meet skills shortages in the region, and across the world.

The Health and Community Centre of Excellence, which opened at the city campus in 2018, offers training in nursing, individual support, allied health, early childhood, community services and more.

The institution is set to expand its health and care sector training in Castlemaine through a $4 million investment by the State Government.

In partnership with Dhelkaya Health, it is establishing a Health and Learning Hub in the heart of Castlemaine, with students expected to start training onsite in mid to late 2025.