Deakin University, Australia - committed to India through Joint Research Initiatives, in sync with the ‘Make India’ Campaign (Celebrates 20 years of operations in India)Tue 4th November 2014
As the New Indian Government invites the World to come and “Make in India” and promote India as a Global manufacturing and research hub, it has found in Deakin University, Australia a real partner that continues to engage in meaningful joint research initiatives with India.
Deakin University, celebrating its 40 years as a University in Australia and 20 years of engagement with India, has announced a number of key new research and learning initiatives with partners in India – giving a big boost to the current Indian Govt.’s campaign around “Make in India” and strengthening Australia’s engagement with India.
While discussing Deakin University’s vision for engagement with India, the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said, “Through our model of collaborative research engagement, we have been able to help bridge the innovation gap between Industry and Academia. With the support of our partners in India, we have been able to contribute positively towards creating a vibrant culture of research and a world class teaching environment. Deakin is proud of its 20-year journey in India and looks forward to strengthening its engagement further."
Professor den Hollander said “Deakin is acknowledged for its research in advanced materials, nanotechnology, life sciences and health and we have committed ourselves to collaborate with India on research which is helping to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems."
“The story of Deakin in India has been one of collaboration, friendship, discovery and strong strategic partnerships that transcend geographical, academic and cultural borders. The relationship has evolved to include partnerships with some of India’s premier universities, research institutions and businesses,” she added.
Deakin University has committed well over AUD$10 million in the research initiatives in India, with 20 strategic academic partners, 20 research partners and 15 corporate partnerships. This is apart from over AUD$2 million annual support to Indian applicants in terms of bursaries and scholarships.
“The strong synergy between Deakin and India has strengthened the relationship between our countries and seen new skills, jobs and outcomes for the people in the communities we serve.As Deakin looks to the future in India with confidence, it is time to celebrate that journey,” Professor den Hollander said.
While quoting Mr. Alfred Deakin – the former Australian Prime Minister for whom our University is named – Professor Jane den Hollander said that “it was the late Mr. Alfred Deakin’s dream that the students from Australia and India traverse international borders and form lasting intellectual partnerships.”She was speaking at the dinner ceremony organised to celebrate Deakin’s 20 years in India, hosted at the lawns of Australian High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi. During the ceremony, Deakin University was acknowledged for its achievements and contribution across two decades in India.
Professor den Hollander was joined by the Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Mr Patrick Suckling. “Deakin University has an unwavering commitment to promoting educational links between Australia and India, and has made an exceptional contribution to the broader bilateral relationship,” Mr Suckling said.
“I congratulate them on reaching this milestone, and I’m sure they will continue to foster world class research in Australia and India, as well providing valuable educational opportunities to students from both countries.”
While discussing Deakin’s expansion plans in India, Professor Hollander said, “We will establish the South Asia operations of Deakin University through the Deakin India office in New Delhi: a significant step in terms of expansion of the University’s operations in the region that will ensure real-time access and the optimal use of resources to forge new strategic partnerships.”
Speaking at the event, Ms. Ravneet Pawha, Director South Asia, Deakin University said, “Deakin has been extremely responsive to the Indian Higher education needs. We have tried to complement our strengths with the needs of Indian students, Institutions and Industries. We have always worked as a true partner with India and that is the key to our sustained growth and success in India.”
These announcements are well timed as the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narender Modi’s is scheduled to visit Australia and seek opportunities to grow meaningful engagement between the two countries.
ABOUT DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
Today, nearly 50,000 students study at Deakin University, including almost 8,000 international students from 127 countriesincluding 1,000 students from India.
Deakin now also ranks in the top three per cent in each of the world’s major rankings: the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings. Deakin is one of 15 (out of 40) Australian universities to achieve this success and honour.
Driving Innovation – Research Making a Difference
One of the highlights of the Deakin’s two decades in India is the Deakin India Research Initiative (DIRI) created to help to bridge the gap between academia and industry.Under the DIRI model, Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidate is based at an Indian research institution with day-to-day supervision provided by a local researcher. A Deakin academic staff member serves as principal supervisor for the project. A visit to Australia by the candidate for a period of approximately six months to conduct research is an important component of the scheme.
Some of the highlights of Deakin’s 20 years in India included:
- Semester abroad programs, research exchanges, internships, mobility and in-country capacity building programs in areas like Education Leadership, Sports Management, Information Technology.
- Teaching and learning partnerships in India with leading Indian academic institutions including VIT University, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IIS), Symbiosis International University, University of Mumbai, Hyderabad University and Amity University.
- Key research collaborations include those with TERI, Rajasthan Royals, Reliance Life Sciences, Bharat Forge, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and six IITs across India.
Some projects had gained international recognition, including:
- The TERI DeakinNanobiotechnology Laboratory, located at one of TERI’s facilities at Gual Pahari, Gurgaon, is a unique facility set up in India to carry out research in Agriculture and Health. It was officially opened by Professor Jane den Hollander and the Director General of TERI and Nobel Prize winner, Dr. R. K. Pachauri in November 2010.
- The TOBY Playpad is an interactive iPad application developed by Deakin researchers to dramatically improve the way parents interact with their autistic children. It was originally developed for Western cultures, however the TOBY (Therapy Outcomes By You) Playpad India Research Project has demonstrated it could be adapted in another cultural context, linguistically, economically and socially. In a first for India,Deakin University, in association with its Indian education partner, Tamana School of Hope in New Delhi, has since been able to deliver this revolutionary, highly effective and low- cost solution via the TOBY Playpad Laboratory.
Deakin in India – 2014 Snapshot
- 1,153 Indian students currently enrolled on campus in Australia
- 15 Research Partners in India
- 20 Teaching and Learning Partnerships
- 6 Mobility Programs (with more than 100 Deakin students visiting India) through study tours and volunteering initiatives
- 85 DIRI in-country PhD Students and growing
New Key scholarships:
- The Alfred Deakin Research Scholarship for Indian students to complete their PhD Studies at Deakin University. The Scholarship is worth 100% of the tuition fee;
- The Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholarships for 2015. Seven Scholarships are available for UG and PG studies worth 50% of the tuition fee;
- One 100% Scholarship is to be offered with FM Radio Station 104;
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Learning Matters Foundation as the Knowledge Partner to a teacher training institution for inclusive education.
For further information, please feel free to contact:
Ms Ravneet Pawha
Country Director (South Asia)
Phone: +91 11 26544707 (D)
Mr David Das
General Manager (South Asia)
Phone: +91 11 26544715 (D)
Deakin University, Australia
Unit 203, Square One, Saket District Place, Saket, New Delhi - 110017
Phone: +91 11 26544700 | Facsimile: +91 11 26544713
Website: www.deakin.edu.au
