IICA and BSI Learning Australia Receive Highly Commended Recognition at IABCA 2026 for Excellence in Trade, Investment & Partnerships

Melbourne, Sep 29: The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, and BSI Learning Australia have received Highly Commended recognition in the Excellence in Trade, Investment & Partnerships category at the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA) Awards 2026, recognising their collaboration in strengthening education and skills pathways between India and Australia.

The recognition acknowledges the partnership’s contribution to strengthening India–Australia collaboration through vocational education and hospitality training. The Excellence in Trade, Investment & Partnerships category recognises initiatives that demonstrate meaningful collaboration, partnerships and synergies between the two countries. The 2026 IABCA Awards received more than 300 submissions across over 30 industry sectors, assessed by an independent jury of 15, culminating in a cohort of close to 90 finalists.

At the heart of the IICA–BSI Learning collaboration is a shared focus on creating international education and career pathways for students. BSI Learning Australia is a vocational education and training organisation focused on skills development and industry-relevant qualifications, with a focus on creating pathways to international learning and careers. Through its partnership with IICA, students in India can access BSI Learning’s Australian hospitality qualifications exclusively through IICA, allowing them to pursue internationally relevant learning at the IICA campus while preparing for global career opportunities and further education. To date, more than 75 students have graduated from IICA with BSI Learning qualifications, reflecting the growing impact of the partnership.

The International Institute of Culinary Arts (IICA), New Delhi, is one of India’s established institutions for professional culinary and patisserie education. Over the past 21 years, IICA has trained and prepared aspiring culinary professionals for careers across the hospitality industry, with more than 4,000 students graduating from the institute to date.

Arjun S. Datta, COO & Managing Director, IICA, said, “This recognition is meaningful because it acknowledges the strength of a partnership that is creating a genuine education and skills bridge between India and Australia. Our collaboration with BSI Learning has enabled us to bring Australian hospitality qualifications to students in India, while creating greater access to international learning and career pathways. We are proud to see this work recognised on a platform that celebrates the India–Australia relationship.”

Kala Philip, CEO, BSI Learning Australia, said, “This recognition is really a celebration of the partnership between BSI Learning Australia and IICA, and for us, the student is always at the centre of everything we do. Through this partnership, students have the opportunity to pursue an Australian qualification at the IICA campus in India, giving them the flexibility to build careers around the world and pursue further education. I would like to thank IICA and the entire team for placing their trust in BSI Learning Australia. This is just the beginning of some great things for our students and our partnership.”

IICA and BSI Learning Australia were represented at the IABCA 2026 celebrations by Mr. Arjun S. Datta, COO & Managing Director, IICA; Mrs. Rupreet Jassi, Executive Director, IICA; and Mrs. Kala Philip, CEO, BSI Learning Australia.The event brought together senior representatives from Indian diplomacy, the Australian government and trade bodies, business leaders and members of the India–Australia business and community ecosystem at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also shared a special message with the gathering, which was presented virtually during the awards ceremony.

Among the senior representatives acknowledged at the event were The Hon. Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Development; Ms Irina Thakur, Deputy High Commissioner, High Commission of India, Canberra; Shri Anish Rajan, Consul General of India in Melbourne; Hon. Barry O’Farrell AO, IABCA Advisory and former High Commissioner of Australia to India; Gabrielle Troon, Director, International Markets, International Operations, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ); Paul Stephens, Director, DFAT Victoria; Penny Fowler, Chair, Tourism Australia & The Herald & Weekly Times; Prof. Veena Sahajwalla, Board Member, CAIR; and Harish Rao, Board Member, Cricket VIC and former IABCA Advisory.

The recognition also highlights the wider role of education and skills development in strengthening India–Australia collaboration. Through their partnership, IICA and BSI Learning Australia continue to connect hospitality education in India with international qualifications and industry-oriented learning, providing students with pathways that extend beyond conventional culinary training.

Under the leadership of Chef Virender S. Datta, a hospitality veteran with over five decades of experience, and Mr. Arjun S. Datta, who has been instrumental in driving IICA’s international growth and strategic expansion, the institute has continued to develop its professional culinary education offering.

Founded in 2005, IICA offers programmes in Culinary and Patisserie Arts that combine international culinary standards with India’s diverse food traditions. Recognised by the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council of India, the institute’s affiliations with City & Guilds, UK; the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS), Paris; and BSI Learning Australia support international learning and career pathways for students.

In 2025, IICA was honoured with the FICCI Higher Education Excellence Award for “Excellence in Creating Employment & Entrepreneurship (Private)” and was named Best Culinary Institute in India at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards.