THE Victoria State Government is funding 10 new doctoral scholarships avaliable to Indian students who enrol in a PhD at a Victorian university.
The scholarships, consisting of a full fee waiver plus $90,000 to each candidate, are available from 2012 and are being managed by the Australia India Institute, a body promoting partnership between India and Australia founded in 2008 at the University of Melbourne.
“This generous scholarship is a great opportunity for some of India’s smartest researchers to pursue their doctoral studies at Victoria’s universities,” Australia’s High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese said.
“The academic communities of India and Australia are working more closely together than ever before and I congratulate the Victorian Government and the Australia India Institute on this important new initiative.”
Speaking at the launch in New Delhi, Director of the Australia India Institute Professor Amitabh Mattoo said “this is a singularly important step by the Victorian Government to build a real partnership with India”.
“The AUD $90,000 scholarship, along with full waiver of tuition fees makes these among the most attractive scholarship awards available,” Professor Mattoo said.
He said the selection criteria included a very high level of academic achievement and leadership capabilities, as well as an intention to undertake research that was “relevant to the needs and interests of Victoria and India”.
Applications open on August 1 and close October 31. More information is available in English and Hindi.