January 15, 2015

Scholarships promote research excellence in India

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has announced a new PhD research scholarship to support the development of an International Centre of Excellence (iCEM) in Mining Automation and Safety in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India.

The Centre is part of a broader research and development cluster supported by the Government of Gujarat (GOG), owner of the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), and local universities, including Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP). UOW serves as the Centre’s international knowledge partner.

UOW will establish a scholarship to undertake a PhD in Mining Engineering or a related discipline. The scholarship will be open to candidates that will proactively be involved with the Centre, including GMDC recommended applicants as well as high achieving students and staff of the national knowledge partners PDPU and IITKGP.

A second scholarship will be awarded to a student or member of staff of PDPU to undertake research in any discipline.

The scholarships will allow both scholars to spend a significant period of time at UOW in Australia.

"UOW already offers a number of different scholarships to Indian students, including the Bradman Scholarship. These two new scholarships will further strengthen UOW's ties with India and its commitment to proving world-class education to Indian students," UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Joe Chicharo said.

The Australian Government Minister for Trade and Investment the Hon Andrew Robb was present at the signing of an MoU on 10 January, as was UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Joe Chicharo, Director Transnational Education and Alliances Dr Bill Damachis.

Also present was Director General of PDPU Professor H.B. Raghavendra, the senior management team of GMDC and iCEM, including B P Pait, IFS ; A.L. Thakor, Joel Evans, and other senior officials such as Director of the Center for Entrepreneurs Development (Industries Commissionerate, Government of Gujarat) Dr Chandan Chatterjee.

More information: CONNECTED: India and the University of Wollongong
Media contact: Jacqueline Wales, UOW Media & PR Officer, on jwales@uow.edu.au or +61 2 4221 4582