Oz delegation visits IIT Guwahati, discusses multidirectional collaboration

The delegation discussed collaboration in various fields such as academics, disaster management, water conservation, governance and cultural exchange. 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati welcomed the Australian delegation led by Barry O’Farrell, High Commissioner of Australia, on its campus. The delegation discussed several projects of mutual cooperation in various domains such as academics, scholarships, strategic research, trade and commerce, governance, disaster management, cultural exchange, water conservation and clean energy.  

IIT Guwahati Director TG Sitharam gave a presentation on the Australia-India Water Centre, Global Centre for Transdisciplinary Research in Water (Tri-Water), and various initiatives which are taken under their auspices such as the development of Master of Sustainable Water Futures programme, Water Matters for India – Delivering an Innovative Young Water Professional Training.  

Barry O’Farrell talked about the importance of cooperation in multidisciplinary areas, especially through the ‘MAITRI’ scholarships and fellowships, strategic areas collaboration, liberal arts, cultural exchange, research grants, skilled academics cooperation and governance with many more possibilities with other Australian universities.  

Sukanya Sharma, head, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, talked about the importance of the liberal arts masters programme being launched by IIT Guwahati and the likely possibilities of collaboration with Australian universities. 

Projects undertaken in mutual collaboration   

• Australia-India Water Centre (AIWC): It is developing AIWC graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters programme in sustainable water futures. Apart from developing the academic programme, AIWC has received a funding of $275,000 from the Australian Water Partnership (DFAT) to run a 10 month-long course for young water professionals (December 2021-November 2022). 
• Australia Water Partnership Project: Its ‘Water Matters for India’ initiative is delivering Innovative Young Water Professional Training. It has received $275,000 DFAT funding for the first year. It is the training of 20 young water professionals younger than 35 years.  
• Master of Sustainable Water Futures: It is developed with the aim of capacity building of water professionals in problem-solving, situation improvement and sustainable development.  
• Global Centre for Transdisciplinary Research in Water (Tri-Water): It conducts collaborative and interdisciplinary research on water science, technology, and policy. 

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