ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/2/2004 15 January 2004
Indian and Australian scholars promote the study of Australia
The second International Conference of the Indian Association for the Study of Australia (IASA), organised by the Australian High Commission and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, in partnership with the Australia India Council, will be held in Delhi on 15-17 January.
The conference, under the theme 'Australia - Identity, Representation and Belonging', will bring together over 100 academics, including 32 from Australia, from various disciplines.
"The conference is being organised at a time when Indian interest in Australia, including in the key area of education, is growing strongly. Australia is capturing the Indian imagination," said the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO.
"IASA's second international conference will animate new appreciations of each other's societies," Ms Wensley remarked. "It will be an important contribution to the development of closer relations, not only between our academic communities and scholars, but also between our two countries."
More than 100 papers will be presented at the conference, addressing a wide range of subjects, including defence and regional security, science and technology and the globalisation of trade as well as traditionally popular areas such as Australia's highly-regarded modern literature.
"The variety of topics being discussed shows an obvious expansion of interest in Australia among Indian scholars and students. The increased attention to contemporary subjects and issues reflects the way the bilateral relationship is evolving, towards a more mature, modern relationship," added Ms Wensley.
The conference is being supported by the Australia-India Council (AIC), established by the Australian Government to promote people to people links between the two countries. "The conference will be a catalyst for a much broader interest in Australian studies in India and, as one outcome, should lead to an increase in the number of courses offered by Indian Universities in modern Australian literature, including the work of indigenous authors," said AIC Chairman, Mr Michael Abbott QC.
The AIC announced in November 2003 that six fellowships for the study of Australia will be offered in 2004 as part of its Australian studies program. The 2004 fellowships, applications for which close in late January 2004, will build further links between Australian and Indian universities with a view to increasing teaching and research on Australia.
Professor Karan Singh, Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, will inaugurate the conference on 15 January 2004. The conference is the first major education event organised by the Australian High Commission following the visit to India in October 2003 of the Australian Minister of Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson MP. During Dr Nelson's visit a formal agreement was signed establishing an Education Exchange Program between the Australian and Indian Governments.
For further information please contact: Mr Quentin Stevenson-Perks 26888 223 ext 256 or John Fisher/Asha Das 26888 223 ext 197/ext 465.