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The What’s On! platform is building a digital community for university students, and now, the High Commission of India has officially partnered with its founder to expand its reach across Australia.

When Rushi Vyas first arrived in Australia, he found it challenging to settle in. Despite living in the country’s largest city and studying at UNSW Sydney alongside tens of thousands of students, it took time for him to find his community.

That experience led him to a question: What if there were a way to connect people digitally and help them build a network faster?

While studying for his Master of Commerce, Rushi developed What’s On! Campus, a platform designed to help all students explore opportunities, access essential services, and become part of a thriving Australian community. His vision was inspired by the Sanskrit philosophy Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family.

The project was incubated and received investment through the UNSW Founders 10x Accelerator in August 2024.  

Later that year in October, What’s On! was one of three UNSW startups selected to showcase at an event hosted by UNSW Global and attended by India’s Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan. Following this, the What’s On! team received a UNSW’s Global Landing Pad award to explore opportunities in the Indian market. 

Just five months later, Rushi, now a casual academic at UNSW, has secured a landmark partnership with the Indian High Commission to roll out the platform nationwide.

“We built to create a real sense of belonging for Indian students in Australia,” Rushi said. 

“This partnership with the High Commission of India is more than a launch, it’s proof that student voices and solutions matter. The trust and speed with which the High Commission acted show their commitment to empowering the next generation.”

The platform offers a range of features, including:

• Onboarding checklists to help students transition smoothly

• Legal and cultural guides tailored for Indian students

• Mentoring programs connecting students with experienced peers

• Access to diaspora-led businesses and over 350 Indian associations

• A dedicated section for student deals and discounts

Currently available in Sydney and Canberra, the platform will expand nationwide by mid-August, following launch events in major cities across Australia.

A first-of-its-kind partnership

This collaboration marks the first time the High Commission of India has formally partnered with a student-founded, Australian-based initiative. It includes involvement from all of India's Consulates General across Australia.

High Commissioner of India to Australia, His Excellency Gopal Baglay, said will help thousands of students thrive in their new environment.

“This initiative is a timely and trusted response to the evolving needs of Indian students in Australia,” he said.

“Our main objective has always been to support Indian students. A platform created by students, for students is exactly what’s needed to ensure connectivity and comfort for India’s digital generations studying in Australia.”  

Supporting students on the ground

For students like Moli Bagmar Jain, an international student at UNSW, the platform has been a game-changer.

“I arrived in Australia just a few weeks ago, and What’s On! is already helping me feel more connected,” she said.

“It helped me find a community and navigate the systems. It doesn’t just tell me the rules—it helps me understand them from an Indian student’s perspective.”

What's On! has also drawn interest from government agencies and local councils, reinforcing its potential to support international students across Australia.

Dina Titkova, UNSW Founders’ Senior Manager for Startups, said the success of What's On! exemplified the power of student entrepreneurship.

“At UNSW Founders, we support entrepreneurs who identify pressing challenges and have the ambition to solve them in innovative ways at a global scale,” she said. 

“UNSW Founders is Australia’s leading university-based startup program, as we leverage the full breadth of UNSW’s resources to accelerate a startup's journey. Rushi’s success with What’s On! is a testament to what’s possible when innovative students take bold ideas, and we’re thrilled to help him turn it into impactful solutions.”

Professor Vinayak Dixit, Director of the Global Research and Innovation Program at UNSW’s Office of Global Affairs, also welcomed the partnership.

"The agreement between What's On! and the High Commission demonstrates UNSW's success in empowering startups. We're thrilled to see Rushi's hard work and ingenuity enhanced through the University's global connections, expert mentorship and the Global Landing Pad Awards,” he said. 

“What’s On’s success is a testament to the innovation and startup ecosystem we foster here at UNSW."