ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/2/2003 30 January 2003
Australian award for Indian scholar to pursue bio-medical science doctorate
A graduate from the University of Mumbai is the first Indian to be selected for a major new scholarship offered by the Australian Government.
The first 2003 Australia-Asia Award for India will enable the recipient, Ms Alka Mishra, to pursue doctoral studies in bio-medical sciences at the University of Queensland in Australia.
The announcement of the prestigious award was made by the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO, at a reception today to honour Ms Mishra.
“The Australia-Asia Award for India is part of an Australian Government program designed to strengthen Australia’s education and research relationships with strategic partner countries in Asia,” said Ms Wensley.
“Such initiatives will allow both Australia and India to contribute to the advancement of scientific research that can assist people around the world to achieve a better quality of life.”
Funded by the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training, awards will be offered each year in nine countries -- India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – and in Taiwan. Each award will be for a period of up to three years and has a total value of up to AUD160,000.
Ms Alka Mishra graduated in 2000 with a Masters Degrees from Mumbai University's Institute of Science. She will work at the University of Queensland on the interactions of human P 450 enzymes with their redox partners, other enzymes, and their membrane environment.
The High Commissioner said that, as well as supporting advances in scientific research and development, Ms Mishra’s work at the University of Queensland would help consolidate links between Indian and Australian scientists and institutions.
"Ms Mishra's study in Australia will undoubtedly foster closer linkages between India and Australia in bio-medical science, an important area of practical scientific endeavour," said Ms Wensley.
The University of Queensland, one of Australia's oldest and most prestigious universities, has an international reputation for its strengths in teaching and research. The university has in recent years placed high priority on developing its capacities in biotechnology and bio-medical sciences. In 1996, for example, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to University of Queensland Professor Peter Doherty AC, for his research into how the immune system recognises virus infected cells.
The University of Queensland will afford a warm welcome to Ms Mishra, who will join many other international students, both undergraduate and postgraduate.
For further details, please contact Mr Quentin Stevenson-Perks, Counsellor (Education and Training), Australian High Commission, New Delhi, telephone 26888 223, extension 256.