MUSSE

An Australia-India Institute established at the University of Melbourne has received $8.106 million in Commonwealth Government funding.

The Institute will have a key role to play in improving understanding and strengthening relationships between Australia and India.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis says the Institute reflects the University’s recognition of India’s growing importance in world affairs.

“There is no doubt that India, along with China, is a key emerging economy and a major influence in our region.

“It has never been more important for Australia to know, understand and work together with India and this significant Commonwealth Government contribution will help us make the Institute a key focus for postgraduate training, for collaborative research around priority areas, and in building knowledge of India in the Australian government, business and general communities.”

Announcing the funding for the Institute, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said it would help to strengthen and sustain bilateral relationships between Australia and India. The announcement came during the visit to Australia by India’s Minister for External Affairs, Mr S M Krishna.

The funding has been provided under the Commonwealth Government’s Diversity and Structural Adjustment Fund. The University of Melbourne and partners, the University of New South Wales and La Trobe University, will invest around $2 million in the Institute bringing the total cost of the project to more than $10 million over three years.

In October 2008, the University of Melbourne made a strategic decision to establish a world-class Australia-India Institute. Deputy Director of the Institute Professor John Webb says it will operate as a national epicentre of information on India.

The Institute will also provide consultancies on issues of national priority, and host international conferences, community engagement and cultural dialogues to support Australia’s need to strengthen its engagement with India through research, professional links and cooperation.

Professor Webb says that a ‘stocktake’ at the University of Melbourne has revealed well over 100 staff with strong research or professional links to India, across all faculties, from medicine to music, often supported by substantial external funding.