MEDIA RELEASE
Women in Tech Initiative Links Bengaluru and Melbourne Researchers
The Australia India Institute (AII) has partnered with the Australian Consulate-General Bengaluru to host the first-ever Women in Tech Fellowship.
The pilot initiative aims to connect leading women tech researchers in Bengaluru with their counterparts in Australia, fostering bilateral collaboration and advancing technology policy research for mutual benefit.
The inaugural fellowship has been awarded to Dr. Preeti Mudliar, an Assistant Professor at the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore. Dr. Mudliar will visit the Institute in Melbourne for 10 days later this year, where she will engage with Australian experts on joint research projects.
“Dr. Mudliar’s fellowship marks a significant step in our efforts to enhance research collaboration between Australia and India, emphasising the critical role of technology,” said the Hon. Lisa Singh, CEO, Australia India Institute.
“This fellowship not only promotes gender diversity in technology research but also paves the way for meaningful partnerships that bridge technological expertise between our two nations.”
In India, women make up only 25% of technology roles within global capability centres (GCCs), with this figure expected to increase to 35% by 2027.
Both Australia and India are dedicated to increasing the representation of women in tech and stand to gain valuable insights from each other in key areas of technology.
“The Women in Tech Followship is designed to drive new connections between Bengaluru, India’s tech capital, and Australia – bringing new and diverse voices to the Australia-India policy conversation” said Hilary McGeachy, Australian Consul General, Bengaluru.
“We are excited to see the impactful policy insights that will emerge from Dr Mudliar’s fellowship.”
Dr. Mudliar’s research will examine key aspects of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) – platforms such as digital identification and payment infrastructure used to deliver essential services to citizens. She will work alongside AII’s policy researchers to provide insights aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of digital infrastructure in both countries.
This collaboration marks Dr. Mudliar’s second engagement with the AII, following her presentation at the Australia-India Workshop on Digital Humanities and Intelligent Futures.
“I am thrilled to receive this fellowship and look forward to collaborating with the Australia India Institute,” said Dr. Mudliar.
“This opportunity allows me to bring fresh perspectives from India and learn from the innovative approaches in Australia. Together, we aim to create policy insights that will advance a digital network capable of delivering economic opportunities and social services to everyone that needs it.”
Image (left to right): Krithika Subramanian, Policy Research Analyst, DFAT; Andrew Collister, Consul, Australian Consulate-General, Benagluru; Dr. Preeti Mudliar, Assistant Professor, IIIT-Bangalore; Hilary McGeachy, Australian Consul General, Bengaluru.
Media Enquiries:
Sarah Whyte, Head of Strategic Communications
E: sarah.whyte@unimelb.edu.au