Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 11: The students of Manipal University here had a memorable day as they interacted with star former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist at Merina, Manipal University Sports Centre on Friday November 11. He paid a visit to Manipal University as part of a delegation to sign an MoU between Manipal University and Wollongong University, Australia.
"I am delighted to be here. I thank you for the warm welcome in the campus. The MoU signed between these two universities will help Indian as well as Australian students in terms of sharing of knowledge and exchange of cultures with one another. The MoU will further enhance mutual relationship between the two countries," said Gilchrist.
Speaking about education in India, the former wicket-keeper and skipper said, "The students are privileged to have good facilities in India. They are getting quality education along with projects and assignments on different subjects. Indian government is also funding and supporting students for overseas education."
Adam also held sessions with the university students and inspired them with a motivational speech.
After signing and exchanging the MoU with the University of Wollongong, Vinod Bhat, vice-chancellor Manipal University said, "Manipal University is indeed proud to announce its strategic partnership with the University of Wollongong, one of the leading research institutions in Australia. For Manipal, with collaborative ties already with a variety of universities in Australia, this represents an additional expansion in the Australian continent. The university is working with us from the last 15 years.
"After this collaboration, students will get various advantages of academics such as student mobility between the two universities, joint research collaboration by faculty in terms of publications, grants, and organization of conference, seminars or other academic meetings. Now they have decided to extend education to medical and engineer sector. With this general agreement of collaboration, students and faculty from both prestigious universities would be working in areas ranging from engineering, humanities and sciences, medicine and business, along with other disciplines.
"The collaboration will not be restricted for only two areas. It will be extended in the days to come. The selection process would be held as per the guidelines of joint committee," he added.
Prof Paul Wellings, vice-chancellor and principal of University of Wollongong, Australia said, "This partnership would go a long way in contributing international learning experience for students.
"In addition, we share common vision of internationalization by being pioneers in establishing overseas campuses, Wollongong, being the first Australian University and Manipal being the first Indian university, to establish their respective campus in Dubai. It is worth noting that Manipal has campuses in Nepal, Malaysia and Antigua in West Indies with many other countries under consideration," he added.