The number of Indian students enrolling at The University of Western Australia has soared in the last four years, from four enrolments in 2005 to 250 in 2009.

UWA's Director of South Asia Relations, Professor Hema Sharda, said awareness of UWA, affordability and closeness to home were some of the reasons why the University was increasingly popular with Indian students.

"UWA has a very scholarly profile in India due to a high number of partial scholarship offerings," Professor Sharda said. "There is a large Indian community in Perth, of about 30,000 Indian-origin families, with Indian restaurants and temples - and I believe this makes a difference," Professor Sharda said.

Most students are enrolled in postgraduate courses such as Master of oil and gas engineering, Master of engineering in information and communications technology, and Master in micro-electronics, public health, infectious disease and forensic science programs are also popular.

Professor Sharda, who visits India each year, recently returned from a recruitment campaign with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Doug McEachern and Chair in Agriculture, Professor Kadambot Siddique. They signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with prominent Indian partners with a view to developing academic and cultural exchange in teaching, research and other activities.

"We are targeting India - the second largest source of overseas students for Australia - because of the rapid development of the Indian economy," Professor Sharda said.

"India's 11th Five Year Plan proposes a huge investment in science and technology research. India has a very young population, with 70 per cent of the population younger than 29. Some tertiary institutions of high reputation across India are unable to cater to the rising demand for places.

"However, our key challenges are competition with the UK and the US. Now even Singapore and Malaysia are becoming serious competitors. And there is a wide Indian alumni network in the UK and US."

Media references

Professor Doug McEachern (+61 8) 6488 2460
Professor Hema Sharda (+91 9) 8182 44683
Sally-Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 7975 / (+61 4) 20 790 098