B.S.Abdur Rahman University, Chennai signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Curtin University of Technology, Australia on May 21. Curtin University is a major technical university in Australia with over 40,000 students supported by over 3200 strong faculty members with its campuses in Perth and Sydney, Australia.
Mr. Michael Carter, Australian Trade Commissioner and Consul Commercial, Australian Consulate General, Chennai, Mr. Vijay Subramanian, Business Development Manager, Australian Trade Commission, Chennai, Mr. Abdul Qadir A Rahman Buhari, Pro-chancellor, B.S.Abdur Rahman University (BSAU), Dr. P. Kanniappan, Vice Chancellor, Dr.V.M. Periasamy, Registrar, Dr. S. Prince Arockia Doss, Director, International collaboration and senior faculty members from BSAU participated in the event held at B.S.Abdur Rahman University.
The MoU between the two universities focused on international partnerships in developing international academic programmes in strategic areas of engineering, business, information technology, Architecture, Nanotechnology, materials science. Research partnerships in the areas of advanced manufacturing, sustainable architecture, digital architecture, smart structures, smart materials, power system, power electronics, VLSI design, Nano Technology, information systems, network security, surface engineering, materials technology will be developed between the two universities.
The two universities will cooperate in the exchange of information relating to their activities in teaching and research in the fields of their expertise. Promote appropriate joint research projects and joint courses of study, with particular emphasis on internationally funded projects. The MoU endeavours to encourage students and staff to spend periods of time in the host institution in the specific fields of research and study.
The MoU provides scope for conducting cultural projects of interest between the students of the two universities, conducting study tours, providing “Study Abroad” opportunities at undergraduate and graduate levels.
Mr. Michael Carter in his address highlighted that there is a huge requirement of skilled and semi skilled man power in the resources industry, like coal, Iron ore and natural gas, in Australia. He further pointed out that leading Australian Universities are focusing on international partnerships with leading Indian Universities for research collaboration in cutting edge research areas in addition to developing international academic programs in strategic disciplines. Mr. Carter was very happy to mention that Australia has streamlined the procedure for student visa formalities and mentioned that the prevailing Australian visa formalities are very congenial for students seeking world class higher education in Australia.
Mr. Abdul Qadir A Rahman Buhari, in his address indicated that MoUs with leading universities abroad provide high quality international education experience to students of BSAU through transnational twinning and dual degree programs and enabling students to develop skills and mindset for global opportunities and challenges. He further mentioned that the university is attracting large numbers research scholars to pursue research in various disciplines of engineering, science, business, and computing.
Dr. P. Kanniappan, Vice Chancellor of BSAU said that the university is focusing on cutting edge research and the MoU will provide opportunity to develop joint research in the areas of mutual research interest with international focus that advances the boundaries of knowledge and contributes to the betterment of society worldwide.
The MoU between BSAU and Curtin University is the result of high level legation visit from Curtin University to BSAU during November, 2011 and the interaction of High level delegation from BSAU with the Vice Chancellor of Curtin University Prof. Jeanette Hacket , and their high level delegation at Chennai during February, 20,2012.