Sydney, Sep 28 (IANS): Students at an Australian university have started a petition campaign to reinstate an Indian-origin associate professor who has been forced into retirement, a media report has said.

Jay Shaw, 74, who teaches philosophy, political science and international relations at the Victoria University, had been on fixed-term teaching contracts for the past four years.

"I was told they could not renew my contract and I will have to leave at the end of the year. I told them I was willing to teach without any pay, but I got a negative reply," stuff.co.nz on Sunday quoted Shaw as saying.

The petition to reinstate Shaw was initiated by Alexander Janet, which was supported by other students.

Shaw is a treasure to students and it would be a big loss to philosophy students at the university if he was not reinstated, Janet said.

A person's retirement from the university has always been reached by mutual agreement, a spokesperson for the university said.

Shaw is believed to be the first person in New Zealand to have received a festschrift -- a collection of writings published in honour of a scholar.

Shaw has taught at American universities, presented more than 100 papers, written 11 books and represented New Zealand at the world parliament of religion in 1993, the news website said.