Appointment to build integrated education and industry links with India

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Appointment to build integrated education and industry links with India


India's peak chamber of commerce and industry has appointed the President of the Australian Council of Engineering Deans to advise it on expanding education and industry links between the two countries. Professor Archie Johnston, who is Dean of Engineering at the University of Technology, Sydney, has accepted the role of Honorary Advisor to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the apex chamber representing more than 100,000 companies and professionals across India. Professor Johnston was appointed after delivering a presentation to ASSOCHAM in March promoting higher education as a driver for new business and industry opportunities between India and Australia. ASSOCHAM Secretary General D.S. Rawat said the presentation generated so much interest that the organisation wished to draw upon Professor Johnston's "varied and rich experience" to explore the possibilities he had advocated. Professor Johnston has now proposed a forum in New Delhi in September to bring together senior management from Indian business and industry, universities and the government. From that it is hoped to generate a three-year program of initiatives in both India and Australia to identify collaborative opportunities. "Australia is acknowledged as a strong performer in cooperation between industry/business and universities in this region," Professor Johnston said. "Our expertise in developing collaborative educational and research relationships with industry and government is a sought after commodity in the rapidly expanding economies of India and China." Friday 23 June 2006