New Delhi

Australian varsity offers research scholarships

NEW DELHI: As a first step to enhance its engagement with the country, the Australian University of Newcastle has announced ten new research scholarships for Indian students to undertake Ph.D. research.

The scholarships will provide return air fares between India and Australia, full tuition costs and a living allowance of up to 22,000 Australian dollars, roughly up to Rs.60,000 per year, for up to three and a half years, announced Kevin McConkey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University, at a press conference on Friday. “We want to have quality partnerships with Indian institutions and universities. There can be a range of opportunities for Indian students to undertake post-graduate studies and research. We will be finding ways to bring high quality Indian students to Australia on an exchange programme. Some of our students could also travel to India to attend some short-term programmes. We see India as a part of our future,” added Prof. McConkey.

A nine-member senior delegation representing five faculties of the University is currently touring India and will be visiting Chennai and Bangalore over the next few days. In fact, just before coming to the Capital on Wednesday morning, the University delegation was in Mumbai. The members were put up at the Taj Mahal Hotel that was attacked by terrorists late Wednesday night. They had left the luxury hotel on Wednesday morning.

As of now, 300 Indian students are studying in different departments of that university.

In the National Capital Region, the University of Newcastle is looking at engagements with Jawaharlal Nehru University, IIT Delhi, the Indian Institute of Foreign trade and the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad.

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