Gilchrist says Indian students safe Down Under, ducks bouncers on racial attacks

Tue, Oct 27 07:10 AM

In his new innings, Aussie cricket team vice captain Adam Gilchrist is wooing Indian students and IT companies to an Australian university and he is playing with the flourish associated with his batting.

When it came to the question of attacks on Indian students down under, 'Gilly' was just as unflappable as he was when he had the wicketkeeper's gloves on.

"We condemn the attacks on Indian students. l still think Australia is the destination for Indian students for education," Gilchrist said on Monday at a press conference in the city to announce the collaboration of city-based Zensar Technologies and University of Wollongong (UoW), Sydney.

Gilchrist, the brand ambassador for Wollongong varsity, had made special efforts to talk to Indian students there once attacks against Indian students broke out in the country, said Craig Peden, director, corporate relations, UoW. Gilchrist, along with Peden and Chris Grange, VP, administration of the varsity, was in Pune as part of an India road show to promote the university, the other destinations being Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad.

"There have been many reports about racial attacks and I have sympathy for the Indian students. But I must also say that this is not entirely a true reflection of the education scenario in Australia as troubled spots are everywhere in the world," Gilchrist, batting for the embattled education sector of Australia, said there were more than one lakh Indian students in Australia and the number would grow.

Peden said there are about 1,000 Indian students in UoW. "After the racial attacks Gilchrist talked with a few of them and boosted their morale. The feedback we received from students suggests that the Indian students considered UoW a safe place," he said.

UoW has developed an 'Innovation Campus' where Zensar Technologies will develop technologies and processes in e-governance, financial services and retailing. "The campus is world class and will provide an opportunity to take some of Zensar's products and services to the Australian market," said Ganesh Natrajan, CEO of Zensar Technologies.

"It will also be a great opportunity for people from Pune office of Zensar to work there. We will train local talent there and develop customised solutions for our customers in Australia," he said.

Along with Zensar, Global Talent Track (GTT) is also going to tie-up with UoW. "We are in the final stages of discussion with the varsity and may launch some programmes in ICT and business administration with the varsity for Pune students. They can do some part here and remaining in UoW where there are excellent facilities. We are initially looking at around 1,000 students for the joint programme," said Uma Ganesh, CEO, GTT.

It's exciting: GilchristOn his role of endorsing an Australian University, Gilchrist said it was an exciting responsibility. "My brother is an alumnus of UoW and I am proud to be associated with the varsity, post cricket. In terms of cricketing analogy my job is like giving students a "ticket for the game," he said. He said education was an important part of his life as his father and mother were teachers.

Inside News

Editor's picks