A leading expert from Australia in mining and geotechnical engineering from the University of Newcastle, Professor Stephen Fityus, will be visiting India to collaborate with prominent Indian higher education institutions, research centres and industry bodies.
Professor Fityus will deliver lectures at the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad; the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Kolkata, the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology; the Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists, Bhubaneshwar; and Coal India Ltd. Prof. Fityus has said that this visit has enabled a deeper two-way understanding of the mining capabilities in both the countries and he has witnessed immense potential in academic and research collaboration in this area between Australia and India.
The visit is taking place under the Australia India Education Council’s (AIEC) Eminent Researcher Lecture Programme. The AIEC is a bi-national body co-chaired by the Australian and Indian Education Ministers for driving the Australia India education, training and research agenda.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling had explained that mining is an area of mutual interest to Australia and India. He stressed that this visit will address the Prime Ministers’ of both the countries, and the desire to explore partnerships with the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, as indicated in their joint statement during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia.
This development comes in the backdrop where huge linkages in the field of education are being strengthened between Australia and India. Recently, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government, through Study Canberra, and the Australian National University (ANU) has launched a new joint funded scholarship programme for students from India who have chosen Canberra as their study destination. Furthermore, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia, a large number of collaborations have been taking shape between Indian and Australian educational institutes.
Assam Government has joined hands with Australia-based Curtin University for setting up of a centre for advancement in education and research in the state with active participation of the varsity. Macquarie, one of the leading Universities in Australia has inked two strategic pacts with prominent business schools in India.
It may be mentioned that Professor Fityus has made contributions to a wide range of research areas. He is also the Principal Researcher in the Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical and Materials Modelling at the University of Newcastle.
