New Delhi, 5thMay,2026 — BSI Learning & the International Institute of Culinary Arts, New Delhi (IICA) have been recognised as a Finalist for the 2026 India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA) Awards for Excellence in Trade, Investment, and Partnerships. The recognition has been conferred by the IABCA Advisory and the IABCA Awards Jury, acknowledging the institution’s contribution to strengthening the Australia–India relationship.

Selected from over 300 high-calibre submissions, the 2026 finalists represent a diverse cross-section of more than 30 industries spanning business, innovation, research, culture, and leadership across both countries. The recognition places BSI Learning & IICA among a select group of organisations contributing to deeper bilateral engagement and international collaboration.

The IABCA Awards are supported by the Australian Government and the Centre for Australia-India Relations as Strategic Partner, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission as Trade and Investment Partner, and Deakin University as Education Partner. The platform engages a network of over 21,000 stakeholders across Australia and India, bringing together leaders across business, government, academia, and culture to strengthen the bilateral corridor.

Commenting on the recognition, Chef Virender S. Datta, Founder, IICA, said, “This recognition is an important milestone for us. Being named a finalist at the IABCA Awards reinforces our commitment to building meaningful global partnerships and contributing to the Australia–India corridor through education and skill development. Our focus has been on creating global pathways for students through international collaborations and academic progression opportunities that prepare them for careers at a global level.”

Ms. Kala Philips, CEO, BSI Learning, Australia, said, “BSI Learning has been an IABCA finalist for the last three years, and this year marks our recognition in a collaboration category. Our first year of delivering Australian transnational education in India was with IICA, and we are proud to have more than 150 students currently enrolled in world-class hospitality programmes, being trained by Australian faculty. Global mobility remains a key driver of success for our graduates.”

The IABCA platform, established in 2013, is known for its rigorous and independent jury process, recognising organisations and leaders who demonstrate impact, innovation, and leadership across sectors. The awards programme will culminate later this year, with further engagements including the Australia Immersion Week scheduled in September 2026.

For those looking to pursue a career in culinary or bakery arts and earn an Australian qualification, registrations are open for the July ’26 batch at IICA’s Hauz Khas campus. The programme offers a pathway to further academic progression in Australia, along with structured training under experienced chefs, with a strong focus on practical learning and industry exposure. This year also marks the third successful batch of BSI Learning graduates from IICA.

Founded in 2005 by legendary chef and hospitality industry veteran Chef Virender S. Datta, with over five decades of global experience, the International Institute of Culinary Arts, New Delhi (IICA) is among India’s earliest institutions to introduce internationally benchmarked culinary education. The institute combines structured kitchen training with globally recognised qualifications from City & Guilds (UK) and BSI Learning (Australia), offered exclusively at IICA.

Strengthening its global footprint, IICA has expanded through international collaborations, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Kyoto Culinary Art College and Kyoto Pastry & Bakery Art College, Japan, under the Taiwa Gakuen Educational Corporation. The partnership enables faculty and student exchange, joint curriculum development, and cross-cultural culinary pathways between India and Japan.