PA/01/2008 22 January 2008
Culture and Identity: Re-imagining India and Australia
Australian studies conference opens in Kolkata
Over 200 Indian and Australian scholars meet today in Kolkata to reimagine India and Australia.
A three-day conference, hosted by the Indian Association for the Study of Australia (IASA) and supported by the Australia- India Council (AIC), will be held over 22 – 24 January to deliberate the theme - Culture and Identity, re-imagining India and Australia.
“Strengthening academic linkages between Australia and India is a priority for the Australia-India Council, and we are very pleased to support the IASA conference in its fourth successive year”, said Mr Darren Gribble, Chairman of the AIC based in Canberra, Australia.
“The growing number of conference participants is a clear indication of the interest in bilateral engagement, and reflects the growing inter-disciplinary nature of the Australia-India academic linkages”, he added.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the conference, Mr David Holly, Australian Deputy High Commissioner said “IASA conferences play a key role in deepening the pool of Indian expertise in Australian studies by facilitating effective interaction and joint research”.
Having played a key role in shaping the AIC Australian studies program, Professor Bruce Bennett AO (AIC Board member and academic), expressed pleasure at the strengthening academic linkages. He announced that, Alexis Wright, one of Australia’s finest indigenous writers, will feature at the Kolkata Book Fair on 1 February.
The IASA conference coincides with the announcement of the 2008-09 round of the AIC Australian Studies Fellowships for the study of Australia - part of the AIC Australian Studies program. Academics from Kolkata have so far bagged six out of a total of 27 fellowships awarded since the introduction of the fellowships in 2003.
(www.dfat.gov.au/aic)
The Indian Association for the Study of Australia (IASA) was established in 2000 to promote and encourage the study of Australia in India, with an interdisciplinary focus.
The Australia-India Council (AIC) was established in 1992 to promote linkages between Australia and India in a range of areas of mutual interest.
For further information, please contact, Ms Asha Das, Country Manager, Australia-India Council, on (0) 98108 60451.