City part of Oz education plan

City part of Oz education plan


KOLKATA: Several educational and research institutions in the city are set to join hands with their Australian counter - parts for a series of collaborative projects. These will include PhD programmes and scientific projects in areas where experts and students from either country have the opportunity to share knowledge.

Announcing this at an India-Australia partnership programme on Friday, Australian deputy high commissioner Lachlan Strahan said it was time to take educational exchanges between the two countries beyond just enrolling in each other's universities.

"India has a fabulous depth of scientific capabilities which could benefit both countries. By joining our programmes, they will have access to the latest technology and facilities that will help them realize their potential better. We, on the other hand, will benefit from their inputs and contributions in our projects. Both countries are worried about their water and food security and I am sure these projects will help us optimise use and cut down wastage of both," said Strahan.

Commenting on relations between the two countries, the deputy high commissioner said it has been rather indifferent till 2005. "We were like two ships passing each other in the dark. Till, the effects of economic reforms in India brought us closer. We now have half-a-million people of Indian origin in Australia . From just 12,000 students a few years back, we now have 100,000 Indian students in various Australian universities. But we now need to look beyond just courses and degrees," added Strahan.

Several research institutions and a university in Kolkata have been identified for collaboration. "We have sounded them out and talked about the possibilities of joining hands. A deal will soon be struck with some of them," Strahan said.

A delegation of leading Australian corporate leaders and industrialists will be visiting India soon as part of the partnership initiative. They will be interacting with their Indian counterparts on furthering business collaborations and bilateral trade arrangements.