The UQ–IITD Research Academy recently welcomed senior leaders from the Centre for Australia–India Relations (CAIR) to advance bilateral collaboration in research, education, and innovation.
The delegation, which visited the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) on 30 April, included CEO Mr Ryan Neelam and Chair of the Advisory Board Ms Swati Dave, alongside representatives from the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. They met with Professor Vivek V. Buwa, Deputy Director (Strategy and Planning), IIT Delhi, and Professor P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan, Professor-in-Charge of the UQ–IITD Research Academy.
With education and skills at the core of the Australia–India partnership, discussions underscored IIT Delhi’s world-leading research ecosystem—its scale, interdisciplinary strengths and global impact—alongside the pivotal role of the UQ–IITD Research Academy in advancing joint research excellence and talent development.
IIT Delhi faculty showcased a diverse portfolio of collaborative research spanning energy, sustainability, resilience, quantum technologies, photodetectors, plant disease management, business strategy, and digital health. Research demonstrations by the Academy PhD scholars Aisha Noor and Debarun Banerjee further illustrated the depth and impact of joint research, including work addressing workplace challenges related to menstrual health.
Discussions reaffirmed a shared commitment to stronger bilateral academic and industry partnerships and confirmed the Academy’s role as a key platform in the Australia–India knowledge corridor.
Mr Neelam outlined CAIR’s priority sectors, including clean energy, education, tourism, and agribusiness, as well as its growing interest in advanced and deep technologies. He also highlighted opportunities through the Maitri initiative, a AUD 225 million program supporting more than 110 projects through grants, scholarships, and fellowships to strengthen institutional partnerships and advance collaborative research in priority areas.
Reflecting on the value of academic partnerships, Mr Neelam acknowledged universities sit at the heart of the Australia-India relationship, developing future talent and supporting economic growth across both countries.
“Education starts with the ability for us to benefit from the graduates that are coming out of programs like UQ–IITD partnership. We’re aware that the Indian government has placed a huge priority on skilling the workforce here,” Mr Neelam said.
“We see our offering as complementary in terms of offering a world-class education system and opportunities to look into that expertise and knowledge. And we want to do more collaborative pieces where we see what we bring together, the strengths we give graduates, the ability to power the economies for the future that we know is coming.”
CAIR was launched by the Australian Government in May 2023 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia. The Centre aims to support greater understanding of the bilateral relationship; facilitate collaboration across government, industry, academic, and civil society; build business engagement; promote policy dialogue; and drive research about India in Australia.