New Melbourne-India PhD scholarship launched

PhD scholars enrolled at the University of Melbourne will next year have the chance to have their research co-supervised by faculty at one of three Indian Universities under a new multi-million dollar scholarship program. Nkandu Mwenge reports.

Photo: Alan Levine via Flickr

The Melbourne-India Postgraduate Program (MIPP), which commences in 2014, is a $3 million dollar (AUD) joint initiative of the University of Melbourne, the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore (IISc), the Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and the Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). As part of the Program, students enrolled at one of the three Indian universities will have access to co-supervision with Melbourne academics. The Program will also provide at least 16 full scholarships, associated research and travel funds for collaborative visits.

Program director Professor Saman Kumara Halgamuge told Meld that the scholarships will “enhance research collaboration between three world class institutes in India and Australia’s number one ranking university through joint supervision of PhD research projects”. He hopes that the program will bring together world class research leaders in both countries, allowing some of the brightest PhD students in India and Australia to tackle global challenges “with particular reference to India and Australia”.

Speaking ahead of the program launch, University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glynn Davis said that the program will also give students the opportunity to contribute to the development of education, cultural and industry links between both countries.

Applicants to the scholarship must have graduated from one of the three Indian institutes, or another comparable institute with an average of 85 per cent or higher and should be enrolled at any of the four participating universities and working on a MIPP project, Professor Halgamuge said.

Professor Damallage also added that the “MIPP will be a home for strategically placed multiple PhD projects aiming at larger and more challenging problems with strong impacts to the society. They [the students] will have access to world-class research training and networks of highly successful companies in both countries, who are providing internships.”