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ARCH-India formally launches

Two landmark initiatives, launched this week, will boost bilateral research collaboration, and showcase the research excellence of India and Australia.

Australia India Institute’s CEO The Hon Lisa Singh attended the formal launch of the Australian Researcher Cooperation Hub-India (ARCH-India) and the Australia India Research Students Fellowship (AIRS Fellowship) program in Sydney by Australian Education Minister The Hon Jason Clare and Indian Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship The Hon Dharmendra Pradhan.

Part of the India Economic Strategy to 2035 Action Plan, these initiatives will help to position Australia as a partner of choice for India’s research needs and will be delivered by the Australia India Institute and supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Education.

“Australia and India have a long history of partnership and cooperation. Yet there remains untapped potential to deepen our research links,” Ms Singh said.

“Both countries have advanced research and development capabilities. Here is an opportunity to reveal and connect the unique expertise of both nations and work together to address the complex challenges facing the Indo-Pacific and the world.”

ARCH-India is a digital platform designed to advance research linkages between Australia and India. It is a rich resource for researchers, providing information on 15 key areas of bilateral importance, funding opportunities, case studies of successful research collaboration and more.

Since its early access launch last year, ARCH-India has attracted hundreds of researchers from both nations looking to explore opportunities for collaboration and mobility.

The new AIRS Fellowship program will support research students and early career researchers from India and Australia to undertake short-term research exchanges. Up to seventy fellowships will be offered with up to 35 grants to be offered to cohorts from each country. Applications are expected to open in October. 

Indian Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship The Hon Dharmendra Pradhan and Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh among University leaders at the Go8 roundtable.

As part of his four-day visit to Australia, Minister Pradhan also met with the Group of Eight universities for a roundtable on the current state of Australia-India research collaboration and a shared vision for the future.

ARCH-India and its mission to strengthen bilateral research collaboration was one of the key initiatives discussed.

In a series of Tweets, Minister Pradhan spoke highly of the Australia-India relationship and his hopes for stronger research links. 

Media
Australia India Institute media release
Minister Pradhan's media release
Minister Clare's media release
Australian Financial Review (subscription only)
Times Higher Education (registration required)
The Australia Today
Bharat Times
NRI Affairs 

Banner image: Australia India Institute’s CEO The Hon Lisa Singh meets with Indian Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship The Hon Dharmendra Pradhan and Australian Education Minister The Hon Jason Clare at the 6th meeting of the Australia-India Education Council.