By IANS,
New Delhi : Australia will improve its understanding of the Muslim world with the launch of Indian arm of the University of South Australia’s International Centre for Muslim and Non-Muslim Understanding to leverage this country’s experience in the area, visiting Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Wednesday.
The goal was to “build a worldwide community of outstanding scholars with a commitment to understanding and exploring the cultural and sociological factors that influence Muslim and non-Muslim relationships,” Gillard said at the launch of the centre Wednesday on the third day of her visit.
“There is expertise here and in many countries across the Asian region that we can learn from,” she pointed out, adding the international launch of the centre here was “appropriate because India is a nation that lives with difference on a grand scale and thrives”.
Gillard said the centre would emphasise international engagement, with an international advisory board and a council of distinguished scholars.
Educationist Pal Aluwalia, who is leading the foundation of the centre, said it was hoped Indian candidates would apply for the 10 doctorate scholarships worth nearly Rs.1 million it was offering.
“I am hoping to welcome strong applications from India that can build long-lasting bilateral research relationships between Australia and India in this vital area,” she added.
Gillard left Delhi for Chennai for the second leg of her five-day visit to India.