Mr Tehan was to travel to Malaysia from Sunday until Tuesday and then lead a delegation of senior leaders from the education sector to India from Tuesday to November.

In Malaysia, Mr Tehan will attend the inauguration of the new University of Wollongong Malaysia KDU campus, speak at the National University of Malaysia and visit research facilities at Monash University Malaysia.

In India, Mr Tehan will meet with the Indian Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', engage Indian education and research stakeholders, and attend local events in support of the Australian education and research sector.

"International education made a $35 billion contribution to Australia's economy last year," Mr Tehan said.

"Our Government wants to strengthen our relationship with Malaysia and India to find new opportunities to access new markets, and that means more jobs and business opportunities and a stronger economy.

"We want to increase research collaboration with Malaysia and India to unlock new ideas that benefit our country and cut red tape to improve how both countries can work together in education to benefit everyone."

Mr Tehan said the federal government has created the $93.7 million Destination Australia program to attract more students to study in regional Australia.

"Deakin University has been a pioneer when it comes to attracting Indian students to Australia with 39 per cent of its international student population from India," he said.

"I'll be telling everyone I meet about the top-quality education opportunities in Wannon combined with our top tourist attractions and the world's best lifestyle," he said.

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.