Our mission at the Institute is to deepen ties between our two countries and part of that is supporting brilliant researchers who benefit through research collaboration. A big congratulations to the 12 successful Australian researchers awarded our ‘Unnati’ grants. Their work will foster discovery and opportunity across four priority areas identified by both countries and will be supported by Indian partners from more than 20 higher education institutions.
Partnerships between the Institute and other think tanks, industry and cultural bodies continues to grow. The Institute was pleased to partner with the Australia India Chamber of Commerce at their national conference in Perth on an industry roundtable on international education. During my keynote I spoke about India’s demographic dividend and upskilling India’s youthful population, Australia’s education offerings and labour shortages, and the need for coordination from government, industry and education partners to best meet the needs of both countries.
Congratulations to all six recipients of the new Maitri Cultural Grants. These grants, provided by DFAT’s new Centre for Australia India Relations, will provide cultural organisations with exciting new creative connections across both countries. I am pleased Tasmania (the state which I come from) also received a grant for the vibrant Mona Foma festival.
Finally, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people of India over the devastation caused by the floods across the region. Our thoughts are with everyone affected at this time.
Best,
Lisa