Deakin University, Australia, is celebrating 21 years of its partnership with India this year with exciting events, including a four-day day international research symposium in New Delhi and its first ever graduation ceremony for PhD students.
In 1994, Deakin was the first Australian university to establish a base in India, started as a joint venture with the Australian Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers to offer management programmes through distance learning. In 1996, Deakin became the first university in the world to set up an office in India and which now contributes the highest number of PhD students for the university annually.
Professor Jane den Hollander, Vice-Chancellor Deakin University said, “Our students in India are making a valuable contribution to their region, working in partnership with industry to develop solutions for the jobs of the future, and it is so pleasing that Deakin has been able to support the development of many links between the expertise we have in Australia and that in India.”
Deakin University is acknowledged for its research in advanced materials, nanotechnology, life sciences and health, and has collaborated with India on research which is helping to develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. While the early focus was on student enrolments, the relationship has evolved to include partnerships with some of India’s leading universities, research institutions and businesses. Deakin has committed over AUD$10 million to research initiatives in India over two decades, with 20 strategic academic partners, 20 research partners & 15 corporate partnerships. Over 50,000 students now study at Deakin University, including almost 8,000 international students from 127 countries, including 1,150 students from India.
