Australia explores research and educational partnership with India

New Delhi: A 30-member Australian higher education delegation is currently in New Delhi. The delegation is exploring opportunities for research and educational linkages between Australian and Indian educational institutions.

The delegation is currently in New Delhi and the delegation met with Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO NITI Aayog who provided an overview on the future of higher education in India. The delegation also met with Professor N.V. Varghese, Vice Chancellor, National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) and Dr Rajender Singh Sangwan, Director, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR) who provided an overview on the Indian higher education policy and its development

Some of the key activities involving the Australian higher education delegation in New Delhi includes;

PhD and research workshop involving Leading Australian and Indian Universities

The Group of Eight (Go8) Australia, which is comprised of Australia’s eight leading research-intensive universities interacted with Vice Chancellors, deans, academics and researchers of India’s leading universities and research institutions at a PhD and research workshop organised in New Delhi on 29th August 2017.

The Go8 Australia is committed to PhD programs that create high quality industry-ready PhD graduates whose research can benefit the people and the economies of both countries. Working jointly with Indian researchers, Go8 Australia will continue to undertake high-quality research programs and projects in medicine, agriculture, water-resource management and energy research.

School principals and school counsellor’s education masterclass

A Professional development masterclass was organised on 29th August 2017 in New Delhi for over 40 School principals and school counsellors focused on

· theories of learning and instructional design principles
· creating a culture of enquiry
· building professional learning communities
· curriculum leadership including design and delivery
· pedagogy and assessment methods.

Australia-India Research Excellence’ presentation
A seminar highlighting successful Australia-India Research collaborations was organised today in New Delhi. The seminar showcased successful Australia-India research engagement and this featured

· The TERI Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre – A joint partnership between Deakin University, Australia and TERI, India to develop innovative nano-biotechnology solutions in agriculture and environment
· National Trauma Research Institute, Australia and the All India Institute of Medical Science that are investigating the effects in India of a number of innovations in systems of trauma care and rehabilitation
· Project involving Queensland University of Technology and Department of Biotechnology, Government of India for the developing iron rich bananas

Some of the key Australian education industry leaders participating in the Higher Education delegation includes;

· Murali Sastry CEO, IITB-Monash Research Academy
· Anna Parkin, Dean International, Curtin University
· Alastair McEwan, Dean, UQ Graduate School, The University of Queensland
· Veena Sahajwalla, ARC Laureate and Director, UNSW Global
· Peter Hodgson, ARC Laureate and Director, Deakin University
· Monica Kennedy, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, Swinburne University of Technology
· Iain Watt, Pro Vice-Chancellor International, University of Western Australia
· Mohan Krishnamoorthy, Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry Partnerships, University of Queensland

Speaking about the delegation, Mr Peter Coleman, Trade Commissioner, Australian Trade & Investment Commission, Australian Government said, “Australia is home to leading educational institutions with 7 Australian universities listed amongst the top 100 universities in the world according to the QS World University rankings. We would like to invite more students from India to study in Australia in courses where Australia is a world leader and this includes educational programmes in archaeology, earth & marine sciences, mineral & mining engineering, environmental sciences, nursing, pharmacy & pharmacology and veterinary science”.

“Australia is also a significant international education destination for emerging or future careers in areas ranging from technology, digital, robotics, media & entertainment, scientific research, health, and future materials. These programmes will provide students from South Asia the foundation for a global career in areas of future employment growth”, said Peter Coleman

The 30 member of Australian higher education delegation is a part of the 150-member Australian business delegation that are currently in India as part of The Australia Business Week in India 2017 (ABWI) organised by The Australian Trade & Investment Commission (Austrade), Australian Government.

The Australia Business Week in India features more than 50 business events and activities spread across 6 cities. The ABWI Australian business delegation would visit New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. ABWI will feature seminars, roundtables and site visits with Indian businesses, industry and government. The week-long series of activities is designed to enhance Australia’s trade, education and investment relationships with India.