A new forum hosted by the UNSW India Centre has people talking about how education can change lives and the world we live in.
Last month, the recently inaugurated UNSW India Centre launched the Thought Leadership Discussion Forum to discuss the ‘role of education in creating a just society’.
The participants, Dr. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and Dr. Gabrielle Appleby, Associate Professor at UNSW Law, both stressed the strong correlation between higher education and the creation of a fair and just society.
“Education, and higher education, helps in developing informed and enlightened citizenry and strengthens democracy,” said Kumar. “By addressing inequalities, education helps in empowering people,” he added, pointing out that education plays a meaningful role in preventing India’s youth from slipping into “vulnerabilities”.
Gabrielle Appleby said that the UNSW Law school focuses on helping in the creation of a just society by encouraging students and faculty to have “a questioning mind and the power of questioning”. In another move towards creating a just society, the UNSW Law School has started a clinic where students help provide legal services to the underprivileged.
Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Rod Hilton moderated the discussion, congratulating UNSW for the initiative. He drew attention to the ‘India Economic Strategy to 2035’ report recently released by the Australian government, highlighting that these types of knowledge and educational exchanges are key to the growing Australia-India economic relationship. With 68,000 Indian students in Australia – and that figure has been growing in double digits over the last few years – Hilton stressed that education is the “flagship sector outlined in the report.”
“The UNSW India Centre has been established at an exciting time for the Australia India bilateral relationship,” explains Laurie Pearcey, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International). “The momentum behind these ties is stronger than ever, with education playing an important role in driving the relationship. UNSW is committed to acting as a catalyst for greater thought leadership and elevating Australia’s intellectual profile in India. These events are an important part of that.”
India country director, Amit Dasgupta, said the Forum would be a regular feature at the UNSW India Centre, facilitating discussions on a myriad of issues to explore how higher education collaboration can help transform lives.
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