ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/26/2003 12 November 2003
Australian Studies Fellowships for Indian Scholars
Following the success of the inaugural Australian studies fellowships in 2003, the Australia-India Council (AIC) is pleased to announce that the fellowships for the study of Australia will be available in 2004 as part of the Australian studies program of the AIC.
Welcoming the continuation of the fellowships, the Australian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Penny Wensley AO, said that strengthening educational links between Australia and India, including links between academics and institutions, was a key priority for the Australian government.
The fellowships will consolidate the education and research relationship between the two countries. The 2004 fellowships will build further links between Australian and Indian universities with a view to increasing teaching and research on Australia, said Ms Betty Churcher AO, Deputy Chair of the Australia India Council (AIC).
Six of the prestigious fellowships will be awarded in 2004. Applications are encouraged from areas such as Australian literature, politics and history, environment and health, tourism, film, media communication and the performing arts, gender issues, multiculturalism and indigenous issues. The fellowships are aimed at both established Indian academics and post-graduate students from Indian tertiary institutions with a strong interest in Australian studies.
The fellowships are supported and administered by a consortium of Australian universities, led by Curtin & La Trobe Universities and including Monash University and the University of Queensland, in consultation with the AIC.
In addition to the fellowships, the AIC's Australian Studies Program includes two-way exchanges of academics between Australian and Indian institutions; the provision of material to Indian institutions providing Australian Studies courses; as well as a teacher exchange program which focuses on primary and secondary education.
The AIC is a bilateral council of Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Members of the AIC are currently in India to pursue contacts and collaboration in a range of fields which will strengthen the relations between the two countries. As education is a high priority for the council, the delegation will be meeting with various academic institutions to further and strengthen important educational links.
For information about the application form email [email protected]
For further information, please contact John Fisher, First Secretary (Public Affairs), on telephone 26888223, ext.197.