India Student Commences University Program in Australia

Isha Sahni
Recently, Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb welcomed Uttam Kumar an Indian student back to Australia to commence his career-changing postgraduate studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Uttam was the winner of Australian Government‟s global “Win your future unlimited‟ competition in 2013. On 28 July this year he will commence a one year Master of Science & Technology (Engineering Materials) program at UNSW, recognised as one of the top-100 engineering and technology schools in the world.

“International education contributes so much to Australia, to our economy and our community. Students come here because they know that a world class Australian education will set them up for a great future in work and life,” Mr Robb said.

In 2013, The Australian Trade Commission organized a global competition for students from around the world to compete for a year of free study in Australia by designing a postcard describing how an Australian education would help their careers. Almost 37,000 entries were received from 190 countries, and seven weekly finalists visited Australia for a two week study tour before Uttam was declared the final winner.

Uttam grew up in a village in the state of Haryana and went on to study at the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. Uttam’s interests are in developing materials to alleviate pollution and enhance environmental sustainability.

The competition received support from major sponsors – Educational Testing Services (ETS), the National Australia Bank, Qantas, Telstra and the University of New South Wales – as well as 21 of Australia‟s tertiary education and training providers. Uttam Kumar won a package of benefits to support his stay in Australia, including one year‟s study; a year‟s accommodation; a NAB bank account of (AUD) $15,000 for fortnightly payments; and return flights to Australia, among other benefits.