Since its launch in 2015, the Australia-India BRIDGE School Partnerships Program has connected schools across Australia with their counterparts in India. BRIDGE schools form a strong partnership and a network of learners between school leaders, teachers and wider school communities, with a range of activities undertaken. Some examples include:
- digital collaboration on culture and cultural practice, including virtual student exchanges;
- shared learning in mathematics via games-based activities developed by students, including an app;
- joint science competitions with Australian and Indian students competing against each other; and
- participation in digital programs at the National Museum of Australia and the Sydney Opera House to build creativity.
With funding support from the Australian Department of Education and Training, 14 additional school partnerships will be established over the next two years - seven primary and seven secondary school partnerships.
The BRIDGE Program focuses on building teacher capability in the following areas:
- strengthening intercultural understanding and values;
- building ICT skills for teaching and learning;
- developing sustainable school partnerships; and
- establishing and supporting a community of learners.
School partnerships will build and sustain collaboration across learning areas and foci, including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), intercultural understanding, values and inclusive education.
For more information, please email
bridge@asialink.unimelb.edu.au or call (03) 8344 4800.