Two Australian universities tie up with IISc for cutting edge research

Two Australian universities, the Flinders University and the University of South Australia, have signed separate agreements with the Indian Institute of Science to boost joint research and student exchange programmes in the areas of nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Both these agreements have been facilitated by the Australian Education International which serves as the international network of Australian government's Department of Education, Science and Training.

The agreements were signed today as part of visit by a South Australian delegation who were in Bangalore after their tour to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The delegation was lead by Steph Key, minister for employment, training and further education, minister for youth and minister for the status of women, government of South Australia.

Flinders University of South Australia, which signed one of the agreements with IISc on Monday, has committed itself to nanotechnology as a major area of research and teaching. It offers the world's only undergraduate degree in nanotechnology. The institute recently hosted a visit to South Australia by three faculty members from IISc to run a nanotechnology workshop.

"We already have a very sophisticated and long-standing relationship on many levels and that tradition is very strongly based on an exchange of skills and expertise. The South Australian government is firmly backing its higher education sector in pushing further ahead in the exciting new areas of science "" nanotechnology and biotechnology," Ms Key said.

IISc's agreement with Flinders University formalises research links in the areas of microfabricated sensors and glycodendrimers.

The projects will be undertaken by post graduate students who will work in each other's laboratories, with Indian students on exchange with South Australian students.

According to Professor Dean Forbes, pro-vice-chancellor (international), Flinders University, "In the first step, about 2-3 students each from IISc and Flinders would spend 3-6 months in each other's laboratories. We expect 2-3 students from IISc to be shortlisted within a week, while students from Flinders may visit IISc by December."

The University of South Australia, which signed the second agreement with the IISc, has a science and technology campus at Mawson Lakes in South Australia. This agreement has formalised links in the areas of bio-materials science, nanotechnology, chemistry, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Both agreements have stemmed from the Research Student Exchange Programme funded by the Australian High Commission under the umbrella of the MoU between the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee and the Association of Indian Universities.