Diwali celebrations at Deakin

Researchers and staff from a host of nations all turned out to celebrate Diwali, the Indian national holiday, in October.

“We do it every year, but I guess this year, it had a special significance for us,” said Professor Peter Hodgson, Director of the Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (ITRI).

“We’ve had the reporting of the assaults on students in Melbourne in the Indian media. So I guess we all wanted to say there is definitely another side to the story.”

Professor Hodgson said it was also pleasing that Diwali celebrations this year coincided with the announcement of DIRI, the Deakin India Research Institute.

“This was a particularly important moment for both us and the host of partnership organisations we have been working with in India,” said Professor Hodgson, who has made 35 trips to the sub-continent in the past five years.

“DIRI will open up a whole new range of research activities both here in Australia and in India.

“I’ve learned a lot about the Indian education and research system in all my trips there, and it became apparent to me that a lot of post graduate students are involved in very theoretical research.

“The fast growing Indian economy though is after graduates who are workplace ready.

“We have at Deakin the capacity to help provide those sorts of experiences.

“So really it is a win-win for both countries. India gets the qualified people it needs, and Australian industry gets all these new conduits to that market place.

“But I guess the really important message is the one that Brett Lee gave during the Australian cricket team’s tour of India.

“Australia is a safe place to come and study if you’re an Indian student.”

For more information about DIRI:
http://www.gsdm.com.au/newsletters/deakin/oct09/1.html

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