Partnership to empowers students with technology education
Deakin University of Australia and Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) from India are jointly offering a new dual degree program in Cyber Security, enabling ambitious Indian students to earn a B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (Cyber Security) from VIT Chennai and a Bachelor of Cyber Security (Honours) from Deakin University.
The program builds on the longstanding partnership of over a decade between Deakin and VIT, reflecting a shared vision to advance higher education outcomes, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility to world-class learning in emerging technology domains.
Through this dual degree, students will begin their studies at VIT Chennai, gaining strong foundations in computer science, network security, and data protection, before progressing to Deakin University, Australia, to complete advanced coursework and research in cybersecurity systems, governance, and digital forensics. Graduates will emerge with a globally recognised qualification, industry-ready skills, and cross-cultural experience to contribute to the rapidly expanding cybersecurity sector.
Speaking about the partnership, Dr. G. V. Selvam, Vice President, VIT, said in a release on 13 Oct, “VIT University and Deakin University have a strong collaboration on various activities such as Faculty & Student exchange programmes, Joint Doctoral Programme, and this is another milestone to join hands to offer a Dual Degree in Cyber Security at Bachelor’s level. This will give an opportunity for students to get two Degrees in the same discipline, as well as give them an edge to build their careers.”
Speaking about the collaboration, Professor Bas Baskaran, Associate Dean, International and Partnerships, Deakin University, said, “This dual degree reflects Deakin’s strong commitment to building globally accessible education pathways that empower students with the expertise and perspective to lead in a technology-driven world. Our collaboration with VIT stands as a testament to how international partnerships can shape future-ready talent and drive the digital ambitions of both nations.”
VIT is the country’s top private university for innovation, ranked 10th nationally by NIRF 2024. Internationally, VIT is ranked 150th in Asia and 22nd in Southern Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Deakin University, Australia, ranked among the top 1% universities worldwide in the QS World Rankings 2025, has been at the forefront of strengthening the Australia–India education corridor for over three decades. Through its deep collaborations with Indian institutions, Deakin continues to expand opportunities in research, transnational education, and skill development in critical fields such as cyber security, data science, and artificial intelligence.
Sharing her optimism at the launch event, Ravneet Pawha, Vice-President (Global Engagement) and CEO (South Asia), Deakin University, said, “Our partnership with VIT pushes the frontiers of emerging technology education, empowering students with the skills, mindset, and global perspective to lead in the digital economy. Together, we’re shaping future-ready talent that will drive innovation, resilience, and growth across India and Australia.”
This new dual degree marks another milestone in the Deakin–VIT partnership, which also offers a suite of integrated master’s programs across Engineering, Information Technology, and Architecture and Built Environment, including specialisations such as Civil Engineering, Renewable Energy, Mechanical Engineering Design, Mechatronics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Construction Management.
The collaboration further extends to joint doctoral programs in thematic areas such as Smart Manufacturing, Critical Technologies, Future Infrastructure, and Technology for Healthcare. Together, Deakin and VIT are building scalable, future-focused education pathways that empower students to become leaders in innovation and technology, contributing to global knowledge, resilience, and security ecosystems. Fiinews.com
