Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 21

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