In 2017, Dr Prashant Ghediya received the opportunity to further his research career in Australia as part of the Chennupati and Vidya Jagadish Visiting Scholarship and Fellowship Awards. The award gives early career researchers and students from developing countries the chance to travel to the Research School of Physics at Australian National University (ANU) to pursue collaborative research for up to 12 weeks. Here, he shares more about his experience and how it has influenced his work since.

What motivated you to apply for the Chennupati and Vidya Jagadish Visiting Scholarship and Fellowship Awards? I wanted to apply for a Chennupati and Vidya Jagadish Visiting Fellowship so that my research could gain recognition at an international level and also to further my work using the latest facilitaties available at ANU. I feel proud to have been awarded a Fellowship, and am most grateful to Prof. Chennupati Jagadish, a Distinguished Professor of Physics, for initating the award alongside his family. Professor Jagadish invited me to visit ANU without any conditions, providing me with an exceptional learning platform. This visit also marked my very first time visiting a western country.

Can you tell us about your experience with the Fellowship – how did it support your research goals? This fellowship was a turning point in my life as I published two papers with Prof. Jagadish and his team within my short visit to ANU.

Could you share some insights on the research culture and environment in Australia and how it has shaped your current research activities? Australia is a global research hub, providing valuable opportunities for early career researchers. During my stay, I visited Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne, and was overwhelmed by the culture and passion for research. The global research community also showed a keen interest in my work after completing the Fellowship, leaving a lasting impact on my career.  

Do you have any words of advice for other early-career researchers in India who want to apply for a Visiting Fellowship? I encourage you to take full advantage of the comprehensive support provided by the Fellowship. The laboratories in Australia are fully equipped with cutting-edge instruments and managed by skilled professionals in their respective fields. This presents a unique opportunity for you to learn and develop your expertise, and bring these skills back to your home country.

What are you working on now and what are your plans for the future? Since the Fellowship, I have worked in Belgium and India, and am currently a postdoctoral research fellow at Hokkaido University, Japan working on transparent oxide semiconductors for thin film transistors. I am happy to see the strong relationship between India and Australia in the science and technology fields, and I hope to return to Australia one day with a long-term research position.  My work on semiconductor opto-electronic devices also aligns with the research focus of several Australian institutions.

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