Deakin strengthens research on global issues in India with new scholarships

The students will complete their research at the new facility in the TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre (TDNBC) in Gurgaon, which was opened yesterday.

The TDNBC is a partnership between Deakin and The Energy and Resources Institute of India (TERI) and is the world’s first dedicated nanobiotechnology research centre.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO made the scholarships announcement at the new facility today, during a tour of the centre with Australian Education and Training Minister the Honourable Simon Birmingham, who also opened a new residence for 50 researchers at TDNBC.

The three-year scholarships will cover tuition costs and are worth $1.1 million.

Professor den Hollander said the scholarships would enable the students to have access to advanced research facilities and the support they needed from Deakin and TERI to succeed in their studies before going on to make a global contribution in the important fields of science and technology.

“These new scholarships are also a recognition of the important ties between Australia and India, illustrated through the Deakin-India partnership which began in 1994 when the University was the first in Australia to set up an office in the country,” Professor den Hollander said.

“We are delighted to help more students in India help Deakin to make a difference to the communities we serve with this three year scholarship program. And we’ve been delighted from the interest in what we are doing here by the Australian Government.

"It is pleasing to have Senator Birmingham here today to tour our new facility. India has been an important part of who we are for the past 22 years.”

During the PhD scholarship program, the students will travel to Deakin in Australia, for between six and eight months.