Australian researchers seek to build links with India

A new Eminent Researcher Lecture Program has been launched to bring some of Australia's best researchers to India.

An initiative of the Australia-India Education Council (AIEC), the Program brought its first two participants to India between January 12 and 16.

Professor Hans Westerbeek, Dean, College of Sport and Exercise Science at Victoria University visited Delhi and Mumbai to participate in a number of high-level forums on sports administration with Indian government, industry and academic representatives, through his participation in Australia Business Week in India (ABWI).

ABWI was an Australian government initiative, led by Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Mr Andrew Robb AO MP, which brought over 400 Australian business people to India to boost commercial ties in key sectors.

Professor Westerbeek also delivered lectures to students and academics of prominent Indian institutions on enhancing capability in sports education, international sport business and sporting success.

Professor James Arvanitakis, Professor in the Humanities and Head of The Academy at University of Western Sydney, participated in a workshop on 'Teaching and Learning in Higher Education' at the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA). He spoke to senior academics from across India on innovation in higher education teaching and learning. He also delivered lectures on the topic to a number of academic staff colleges of central universities in Delhi.

Professor Arvanitakis is a winner of the prestigious Prime Minister's University Teacher of the Year Award (2012), administered by the Australian Office for Teaching and Learning.

Australia's Deputy High Commissioner to India, Mr Bernard Philip welcomed the initiative.

"The Eminent Researcher Lecture Program will help India and Australia to address our common challenges, through exchange of our best minds. I look forward to many more future connections between our countries' world-class researchers in the future."

Dr Aarti Srivastava, Associate Professor at the National University of Education Planning and Administration (NUEPA), also expressed her support.

"I first met Dr Arvanitakis during an AIEC program in Australia last year. It is wonderful that the Eminent Researcher Lecture Program has enabled us to host him in India, and allowed him to disseminate his knowledge more widely," Srivastava said.