Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019

Deakin University leading the pack in India T he long-standing engagements and outreach of Deakin University in India has set an example for other foreign universities to collaborate and operate in India. Deakin University set up its ﬁ rst international oﬃ ce in India in 1994, when the country still had apprehensions of allowing foreign universities to operate through local oﬃ ces. Since then the successes of the universities like Deakin has turned many naysayers into supporting foreign players in the education sector. The University has successfully changed the dogma that foreign universities will be overcharging and cannot understand the culture and mores of the country. Perhaps why Deakin University will complete a successful 25 years of engagement in India in 2019. Deakin University has strived towards this feat by constant engagement, partnerships, strong association with its alumni in India and attracting innovative academic and research collaborations. Over the years it has created a niche for itself setting a benchmark for the higher learning remaining fully accustomed to the values and interest of the country. The Deakin India office was not just the university's first international oﬃ ce, but also it was the ﬁ rst foreign university to open its operations in India and since then it has emerged as the paragon of success with its active engagement with Indian students, business, research institutions, and government setting a great example for other foreign universities. Prime Ministers Modi and Turnbull, inaugurating TDNBC during the latter’s visit to India in April 2017 Education Partner since 2014. Under this both teams collaborate for enhancing various aspects of sports like Sport Management, Sports Science and Sports Scholarship. In 2018, Rajasthan Royals and Deakin gave away one 100% scholarship to Ms Reema Seshadari, a young football player from Bengaluru, who is now pursuing her Bachelors in Exercise and Sports Science at Deakin University, Australia. “I always wanted to purse my studies in sports and when I was researching for Universities, Deakin came across as the world no 1 in sports science. The scholarship has given me the opportunity to pursue my dream.” stated Reema, who won the nationwide contest for the scholarship and was felicitated at a grand ceremony at Rajasthan Royals home ground – Jaipur, in the presence of some key players from the team. Deakin also oﬀ ers high value scholarships of up to 100% to outstanding meritorious students to pursue undergrad and postgrad courses onshore at Deakin in Australia. They have been partnering with leading National Television Networks in India to particularly promote the 100% Vice Chancellor’s Meritorious Scholarships since 2014. This is part of the university’s initiative for “changing lives” in India. The scholarships are aimed at providing world class education to deserving meritorious students with an objective of giving back to the community through the experience and knowledge obtained. Reema receiving her scholarship from Rajasthan Royals players and Ms Ravneet Pawha, Deputy Vice President (Global) and CEO – South Asia, Deakin University. The university is changing the contours of the education landscape with its research-oriented courses in the ﬁ eld of sports, material science and advanced manufacturing, data analytics, biotech, agriculture, creative arts and the environment. The state of the art TERI- Deakin Nano Biotechnology Centre (TDNBC) started in 2010 near Delhi is another initiative which encourages research scholars to develop cutting-edge technologies in food security, environment and health. Sports, another sector in which Deakin does extensive engagement in India. The university’s Department of Sport Science has been a world leader over the years. This expertise is very successfully bought in through mass outreach activities in India. Most successful example is the Rajasthan Royals and Deakin University partnership. The IPL Team has bought Deakin as its Ms Ravneet Pawha Deputy Vice President (Global) and CEO – South Asia, Deakin University, at the IABCA ceremony with Dr. A.M. Gondane, High Commissioner of India to Australia. A string of awards in recognition of its eﬀ orts to promote quality education globally highlights the eﬃ cacy of the university. The Deakin South Asia CEO and Vice President - Global Ms Ravneet Pahwa became the recipient of the Business Leader of the year award from India-Australia Business & Community awards (IABCA) in 2018. The India-Australia Business Council awarded the Deakin South Asia oﬃ ce with 'Outstanding Contribution by an Australian Business in India in 2017. Deakin has won several awards from the federal and state governments of Australia, including the 2017 Australian Export Award for Education and Training. The university contribution in lifting higher education benchmark in India will go a long way in ensuring quality education for all. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 3 • March 2019, Noida • 21

Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 21