PA/26/13 11 July 2013
MORE THAN 400 AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS SET TO STUDY IN INDIA
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Mr Patrick Suckling, welcomed the Australian Government’s initiative to increase people to people links with India by funding study experiences for Australian students.
The Australian Government will provide ₹2.53 billion (AUD 47 million) over four years for the AsiaBound program with ₹584 million (AUD 10.6 million) for the program's first year of operation.
Jointly announced by the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Higher Education and Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, the first group of AsiaBound student grants will allow 3700 Australian students to study in Asia, from which more than 400 Australian students have been offered subsidies to study in India.
Mr Suckling, said of the program, “for Australian students, a study experience in India is an invaluable way to broaden their understanding of India’s rich culture. This program will boost essential people-to-people links between our two nations, forging deeper partnerships.”
With 390 active links between 32 Australian and approximately 250 Indian institutions already in place in the fields of joint research, student and staff exchange, joint supervision and credit transfer, Australian higher education institutions have strong linkages and partnerships with India.
AsiaBound provides funding in the form of grants for Australian students to participate in a study experience in Asia for up to six months to undertake language study, a semester study program, research trips, clinical placements or volunteer projects.
AsiaBound students to India include nursing students volunteering in New Delhi based orphanages; international development studies students engaging with community based non-government organisations in Bangalore; and emerging Australian producers, writers and directors experiencing India’s vibrant television and film production.
AsiaBound is an ongoing program and the 2015 round will open in 2014. For more information on the AsiaBound program visit:
https://aei.gov.au/International-network/Australia/AsiaBound/Pages/AsiaBound-Grants-Program.aspx