Singh feels that the development of the Indian diaspora and the integration of many of its members in leadership positions is testimony to the rich tapestry of diversity in Australian society
Lisa Singh, the first person of Indian origin elected to the Australian Parliament as a Labor Party Senator (from the state of Tasmania in the federal election in August 2010), is excited about her role as the CEO of the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne. The institute is dedicated to advancing Australia-India relations at the government, business, and academic levels.
She now sees many academicians of Indian origin in prominent positions in Australia. “There are several academicians of Indian origin in the fields of engineering, science and even international relations who have gained visibility in niche areas. In fact, the University of Western Australia has a Vice-Chancellor of Indian origin, Dr Amit Chakma,” Singh, who is also Deputy Chair of the Australian government’s Australia-India Council; told the Times of India in a recent interview. “I work with many of them on a weekly basis to engage them in different activities including research and writing reports,” she said.
Singh feels that the development of the Indian diaspora and the integration of many of its members in leadership positions is testimony to the rich tapestry of diversity in Australian society. “There’s still work to be done when we compare ourselves with the Indian diaspora in America and it will take some time. But Indians immigrated to the US earlier and we will see a generational change in Australia too,” said Singh, who was shocked when she found out that she was the very first person of Indian origin to be elected to Australian Parliament.
“The large number of Indian students choosing Australia is acknowledgement of the fact that we have the best quality institutions and now the two countries, which are like-minded partners, recognise each other’s educational degrees.”
— Lisa Singh, the first person of Indian origin elected to the Australian Parliament
“The importance of the Australia-India relationship is growing and I have a very exciting role engaging with governments of both the countries and also state governments,” said Singh. She is proud of having hosted Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar at the University of Melbourne last year and of attending the event where Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hosted his Australian counterpart Minister. “I have an exciting role engaging with governments and with industry and higher education institutions; all three will drive the relationship between India and Australia,” she said.
Singh, who was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India in 2014, has been putting in an effort to engage with her Indian heritage. “Recently, I visited Lucknow and met a professor who is studying the Indian diaspora and wanted to interview my father and me together to find out about our roots. Our family is originally from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh,” she said. She always finds time to visit at least one new place to broaden her horizon, even if she is visiting India on official work. “During an earlier trip, I visited and this time, in Lucknow, I visited the Tagore Library designed by architect Walter Burley Griffin; who also designed Canberra, the capital city of Australia. He died in Lucknow and I paid respects at his graveside,” she said.
“The large number of Indian students choosing Australia is acknowledgement of the fact that we have the best quality institutions and now the two countries, which are like-minded partners, recognise each other’s educational degrees,” she said.
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