Monash University builds on links with India

Updated on: Saturday, November 14, 2009

New Delhi: Construction of an innovative Research Academy in Mumbai is the latest development in the 50-year relationship between India and Monash University, Australia's largest higher education institution.

The Rs 40-crore collaboration between Monash and IIT-Bombay (IITB) is a concrete example of Monash University's continuing commitment to India, and to delivering high-impact solutions for Indian infrastructure and business. At the recent Future Challenges Summit organised by the IITB-Monash Research Academy in Mumbai, Professor Alan Finkel, Chancellor of Monash University, lauded the effort behind the venture.

"The IITB-Monash Research Academy is a superb example of international collaborative research that will have a positive global impact by addressing the challenges that affect both our countries," Professor Finkel said.

The Research Academy is supported by an advisory council that includes some of India's leaders in industry and government, including Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy, Dr R Mashelkar, Dr Swati Piramal and Dr Pawan Goenka. Students at the academy receive an internationally-recognised PhD certificate from both Monash and IITB, and are required to spend at least six months engaged in research on the Melbourne campuses. The first two PhD scholars arrive in Melbourne this month.

Monash University, with a student community of more than 56,000 from over 130 countries, is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, a select community of Australia's best research-intensive universities. It is a world leader in stem cell research and reproductive technology, and in 2007 Monash scientists on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shared the Nobel Peace Prize.

Monash University has six campuses in Australia, one in Malaysia, one in South Africa, and a conference centre in Prato, Italy.

Monash University builds on links with India

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