A partnership between The University of Queensland and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) will pave the way for students and academics to address issues affecting India, Australia and global communities.
The Academy of Research (UQIDAR) will enable students to gain a global qualification from both UQ and IITD.
UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj and IITD Director Professor V. Ramgopal Rao have signed the historic agreement in Delhi, formalising a mutual goal to build diverse and sustainable partnerships across the Indian Ocean.
Professor Høj said the collaboration would involve strong industry linkages that were integral to the student experience.
“As a global university, UQ is committed to developing people-to-people links with India’s higher education sector, and the University is privileged to partner with an Institute of Eminence such as IITD,” Professor Høj said.
“In time, we hope prominent research institutes in and around New Delhi will join the Academy as associate and industry partners, so we can continue to expand internationally relevant research in diverse areas such as medicine, economics, agriculture and the humanities.”
With generous scholarship opportunities, the UQIDAR will enable students from India and Australia to take advantage of world-class facilities and resources, and to gain exposure to culturally diverse research networks.
Professor Rao said the program would provide an excellent platform for emerging research and give students access to employment opportunities with global sponsors.
“Capturing opportunities to grow our research community and creating high-value jobs of the future is a key priority for IITD,” Professor Rao said.
“We want to make India a key player in the higher education sector internationally, and we are committed to building a strong culture of collaboration with one of the best institutions in Australia.”
The Academy is expected to graduate more than 360 students within the next 10 years.
Media: Dr Jessica Gallagher, UQ Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship Director, J.gallagher@uq.edu.au, 61 7 3346 7869.
