R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APR 5
Aiming to further fortify research and education strategies, the La Trobe University of Australia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint Centre of Eminence with the SRM Institute of Science & Technology (SRMIST) here on Tuesday.
After formally inaugurating the Centre of Eminence in SRM Tech Park at the SRMIST campus, Kattankulathur near Chennai, Prof John Dewar AO, LTU VC & President, said, “Our visit to India this time is to enhance our relationship with India by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Chennai to Establish Joint Centre of Eminence and also with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Chennai to further Fortify Research and Education Strategies.”
- Academic tie-up with over 10 leading educational institutions, including BITS Pilani, in India: LTU VC & President Prof John Dewar AO
- MoU paves way for student, faculty exchange programmes between two universities in deep research & knowledge sharing: SRMIST Vice Chancellor Muthamizhselvan
While addressing reporters after signing and exchanging the MoU with SRMIST VC Muthamizhselvan, he said, “La Trobe University recognises that SRM as one of the Top-Ranking Universities in India, offering wide range of UG, PG & Research Programs in Engineering, Management, Medicine and Science & Humanities. This partnership would establish a top-class collaborative Joint Centre of Eminence in Digital Technologies and Engineering.’’
Prof John Dewar explained in detail about the vision/scope of establishing Joint Centre of Eminence and its salient features of the MoU as under:
- To establish a top-class collaborative Joint Centre of Eminence in Digital technologies and Engineering
- To design, develop, incubate and nurture young ideas to blossom into business models or proof of concepts.
- To attract industries to invest in innovative ideas that will be a win-win model.
- To attract potential minds and help converge to achievable goals in loT and allied fields like ML, AI, data analytics, cloud and security.
Replying to queries on whether La Trobe University will establish an Offshore campus in India taking cue from other universities which had announced to open at GIFT City near Gandhinagar in Gujarat, Prof John Dewar said that La Trobe University is happy to have academic tie up with top universities and educational institutions.
La Trobe University’s partnership with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
Prof John Dewar said, “La Trobe’s Partnership with VIT is expected to bring closer to Research and possible Education partnerships, Joint Research Grants, Virtual Internships, and delivery of Short Courses.’’
He further said, research collaboration started in 2018 when LTU staff visited VIT as part of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) Australia-India fellowship. (Naveen Chilamkurti AAS Fellowship 2018-2019), which had resulted in various collaborative programs, including joint publications, research webinars, workshops, and staff training.
Scholarship for international students
A statement released by La Trobe University said, “We are offering Scholarships to the value of 20% to 100% of the Total Tuition Fee for Undergraduate as well as Postgraduate International Students. These Scholarships are merit based and will be offered to the Students based on their prior academic performance’’
Prof John Dewar also said that La Trobe Univ has not fixed any cap on number of scholarships offered to meritorious students from India.
La Trobe Univ ranks top 1% of World Universities
Ranked within the top 1% of world universities, La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia and has been one of Australia’s pioneering universities offering distinctive and high-quality degrees that equip students to understand and engage with the global issues of today, providing graduates with the skills to embark on rewarding careers.
La Trobe has risen 46 places to claim its new spot at 316 in QS ranking. La Trobe has also risen to its new spot at 296 in Shanghai ranking (ARWU). And La Trobe Times Higher Education is in top 300, a statement from the University said.
Dr Stacey Ferraway, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Future Growth), Prof Amalia Di Lorio, Pro Vice Chancellor – Educational Partnership, Prof Naveen Chilamkurti, Associate Dean – International Partnerships and Amit Malhotra, Regional Director – South Asia and Africa of La Trobe University were also present at the press conference.
