Kumar Uttam, son of a grocery shop owner, has become the only Indian among seven finalists to win a two-week study tour to Australia and a chance at a one-year all-paid stay for education there.
Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop met Uttam, an undergraduate student at IIT Delhi, who explained his keen interest in undertaking the study on developing environment friendly materials, the project which won him the "Win your Future Unlimited" contest run by Austrade (Australian Trade Commission).
Uttam, who hails from Mahendragarh district of Haryana and is pursuing B.Tech in Textile Technology, is among the seven finalists out of whom one would be selected for the grand winner prize-- one year's tuition, accommodation, flights, health cover, 15,000 Australian dollars stipend and an internship, Australian Embassy officials said.
Bishop, who is presently in India, congratulated him for his achievement along with Tom Calder, Trade Commissioner.
"I am worried about environmental degradation and pollution. By pursuing research in material science, I want to develop nature friendly materials, help alleviate environmental pollution and enhance environmental sustainability," Uttam, who has three sibling, said.
