PA/04 /12 23 February 2012
Australia awards high achieving Indians
Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr Peter Varghese AO, yesterday presented Australia Awards – Endeavour scholarship certificates to 26 high achieving Indians.
Each year, the Australian Government offers Australia Awards – Endeavour scholarships to high achieving students, researchers and professionals from around the world to study in Australia’s world-class education institutions or undertake a professional development program. The scholarships are internationally-competitive and merit-based.
A total of 291 Indian scholars and professionals have been awarded Australia Awards – Endeavour scholarships since 2007. Twenty six Indians received Endeavour Awards in 2012, including three Prestigious Prime Minister Australia-Asia Awards.
“The Australia Awards facilitate the sharing of knowledge, strengthen mutual understanding between our two nations and build international networks, which continue long after the scholars have returned to India.
“Our education relationship, underpinned by people-to-people and institutional connections is a crucial part of our broader Australia India strategic partnership”, noted Mr Varghese.
The awardees will undertake study or research at the vocational, postgraduate, and postdoctoral level or undertake professional development across a large number of fields including in the Sciences, Biotechnology, Medicine, Medical Research, Environment, Agriculture, Climate Change, Information and Communications Technology, and in Art and Literature.
The Award ceremony coincided with the second anniversary celebration of MyOzNetwork.com – a networking portal for Indians with education and training connections to Australia. More than 2300 members are now connected online.
Mr Varghese added “Australia-India people-to-people links are ever growing and a source of innovation and productivity. MyOzNetwork.com facilitates these connections.”
The Hon. Richard Dalla-Riva, Victorian Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade also launched the Victorian Connection – a networking group that connects professional Victorian expatriates, alumni or individuals interested in doing business with Victoria.
For more information of Endeavour Awards, go to the Australia Awards website at: http://www.australiaawards.gov.au
http://www.myoznetwork.com
For Media enquiries: Mr. Shekhar Nambiar, Senior Adviser, Media & Advocacy, Australian High Commission, 41399900 ext. 251