PA/25/09 7 August 2009
THE HON JULIA GILLARD MP, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, Minister for Education; Min. for Employment and Workplace Relations; and Min. for Social Inclusion
New Australia India Institute will strengthen bilateral ties
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today announced the Australian Government will provide more than AUD $8 million to fund a new Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne. The Institute will work to strengthen bilateral relations between Australia and India
The Institute is a joint project of the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and the University of New South Wales. The Universities will invest around $2 million bringing the total investment in the project to more than $10 million over 3 years.
As the world’s largest democracy and a key emerging economy, India is redefining its role in international affairs. Its influence in our region and globally is growing. India is currently a top ten trading partner for Australia and the economic relationship between the two countries has grown strongly in recent years.
Australia welcomes India’s growing international role and is working with India to strengthen our relationship in pursuit of our many shared interests.
To underpin this, the Australian Government is committed to building a greater understanding between our two peoples. The Institute will work to increase Australians’ understanding of India, its culture, its history and its place in the world by producing and promoting specialised knowledge about India.
The Institute will enable students, staff and the Australian community to gain a greater understanding of India and the rich bilateral relationship through: courses of study, conferences and relevant research.
This is a unique collaboration between three of Australia’s finest Universities: The University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and the University of New South Wales.
Ms Gillard’s announcement came during the visit to Australia by India's Minister for External Affairs, Mr S. M. Krishna. Mr Krishna today met with the Prime Minister in Cairns at the Pacific Islands Forum and will meet with a variety of senior Australian Ministers during his visit.
Media enquiries: Public Affairs Section, Australian High Commission, 011 4139 9900