New Delhi based position will help raise the University’s profile in India
The University of New South Wales has appointed distinguished former Indian diplomat, author and educator Amit Dasgupta as its inaugural India Country Director.
The position, based in New Delhi, will strengthen and deepen UNSW’s ties with India across education, knowledge exchange and research.
As Consul General, Dasgupta had a long association with UNSW. He was instrumental not only in securing the installation of the Mahatma Gandhi bust, but also in the creation of UNSW’s signature Annual Gandhi Oration.
Mr Dasgupta served with particular distinction in Sydney and was awarded a medal by the NSW Community Relations Commission in recognition of his efforts promoting harmony.
During his diplomatic career, Mr Dasgupta served in a range of overseas postings including as India’s Consul General in Sydney (2009-12), Ambassador to the Philippines as well as other stints serving in Germany, Belgium, Egypt and Nepal. He also served as the Ministry of External Affairs’ Director of Finance and was the first head of the Ministry’s Public Diplomacy Division.
“UNSW is delighted to have someone of Amit’s calibre leading our ambitious India strategy,” said Ms Fiona Docherty, Vice-President, International. “Over the next 10 years, UNSW aims to achieve a step change in the way Indian students access UNSW’s progressive style of education – both here in Sydney and via new partnerships in India. Amit will be a key ambassador for the University as we expand our research collaborations at a time of great opportunity for the Australia–India bilateral relationship,” Ms Docherty said.
Mr Dasgupta said he strongly believed in the power of education to transform lives and society for the better.
“I am delighted to take up the opportunity of exploring, through a world-class university like UNSW, how education can become a strategic contributor in intensifying and deepening India-Australia relations.”
Speaking with Indian Link, he noted, “India and Australia are an undiscovered relationship with huge potential. Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia was a clear endorsement, at the highest level, of the desire both governments have in transforming the relationship and taking it to a significantly higher level. In this regard, given the series of new initiatives New Delhi has undertaken, such as Smart Cities, Make in India, Digital India etc, collaboration with international education providers such as UNSW could prove to be a game changer. I am looking forward to this engagement, as I truly believe that this is a relationship whose time has come.”