April 12, 2017
The Group of Eight’s (Go8) research engagement strategy with India has been reinforced through a high level-forum of Australian and Indian government representatives, Directors and senior management of Indian Education Institutions, and Go8 Vice Chancellors and their deputies (late afternoon Tuesday Delhi time).
Importantly the forum called on the expertise of successful collaborative researchers who have been working on Australia–India projects and programs.
The forum was organised to guide Governments and the Go8 – as Australia’s eight leading research-intensive universities – on how best to facilitate increased quality Indian PhD student involvement in further study at Go8 universities. “Being able to hold such a well-attended high-level forum is a coup for both Australia and the Go8,” says Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson.
“The Go8 is a quality research education destination. We award half of all research doctorates in Australia and we are committed to ensuring more quality Indian PhD students want to, and are able to, further their research studies with us. We are also committed to increasing the number of successful collaborative research projects that our universities undertake with India.”
Holding the outcomes focused “forum for delivery” is critical in assisting the work of the strategy’s Task Force announced on Monday in Delhi by Australia’s Minister for Education, Senator Simon Birmingham. “The delivery Task Force (which is to release its initial report within six months) will receive significant guidance from the forum,” said Ms Thomson. “Everyone needed to make the right decisions to enable this strategy to work effectively was in attendance.
“Everyone involved understands the value to the future economies of both nations from world class collaborative research, and increased access in Australia to the research training of quality Indian PhD students. The Go8 program of work in India this week has been dedicated to achieving this outcome.”
Contact: Ms Vicki Thomson Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155
