Australian prime minster visits IIT Delhi to interact with students, faculty

NEW DELHI: Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese visited the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) and addressed students, faculty and staff members. The minister also witnessed research projects and technologies being developed by IIT Delhi scientists.

Prime minister, Albanese also interacted and answered questions by students and faculty in a fireside chat. The minister announced the appointment of Tim Thomas as the inaugural chief executive officer of the centre for Australia-India relations. He further spoke about the progress of Deakin University's campus at Gujarat's GIFT City along with the negotiations for a full comprehensive economic cooperation agreement between India and Australia being underway.

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The entire session was moderated by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), president, Samir Saran. IIT Delhi showcased four of their developed technologies during the Australian prime minister's visit.

• Robotic Exoskeleton Device for Upper Limb Rehabilitation
• Smart Solutions for Building Energy Management
• Lignocellulosic Biomass Valorisation for Sustainable Biorefineries
• Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

It was wonderful to meet with students and faculty from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi this afternoon.

Education opens the doors of opportunity, and the collaboration between Australia and India will be crucial to both our countries' future. pic.twitter.com/6F3fqyy4Ur

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 10, 2023

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While speaking about the Deakin University's campus in Gujarat, Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said: "I very much want to see growing numbers of Australian and Indian students to have the experiences of living and studying in our respective countries, and to bring those experiences home. Think of it as human cross-pollination. Through it we draw from each other’s strengths and add to our own – and in the process, each of us becomes something greater. Of course, joining up our best minds is not just desirable. It’s a necessity — especially where the globe’s biggest challenges are concerned."

The minister also met president Droupadi Murmu and prime minister Narendra Modi to build a partnership in trade, education, defence and culture on his visit to India. Previously Australian education minster Jason Clare visited India to sign agreements to promote research, academic collaborations between Australia and India.