New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS): Thirty researchers, academicians and scientists from Australia's top universities will visit six Indian metropolitan cities and interact with companies to encourage sharing of technological innovation between the two countries, officials said Monday.

"The Australian Innovation Showcase" was launched here Monday by the Australian High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling.

The initiative will include workshops and seminars in New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune between Australian researchers and Indian companies. The event will conclude Dec 4.

"This is an opportunity to show that Australia is a perfect partner for India when it comes to cutting edge research," said Suckling at the launch.

"Australia's advanced innovation framework, along with government and business investment in research and development and a track record of world-class discoveries and outcomes present strong collaboration, research and commercialization opportunities for India," he added.

Nicola Watkinson, senior trade and investment commissioner for South Asia in the Australian Trade Commission, said several prominent Indian companies have been invited to see how they can work with Australia to enhance their competitiveness through "technology driven partnerships".

"We have received confirmation from around 50 companies as of now," she told IANS.

In addition, the University of Melbourne has decided to give PhD scholarships worth three million Australian dollars to 16 Indian students.

"We are committed to supporting research that has global impact and benefits and these scholarships will provide the Indian students with expertise and knowledge from both the countries," Glyn Davis, vice chancellor of the university, told IANS.

"We aim to nurture the next generation of researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs from both the nations," he added.

The programme will commence in 2014.