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NRI scientist wins Australian PM science award |
A scientist of Indian origin has been awarded the Australian Prime Minister’s science prize for his research work on flight skills of honeybees and applying them to robotic aircraft. Mandyam Srinivasan, 56, a professor of biological science at the Australian National University, was awarded the AU$300,000 Prime Minister’s prize.
His discoveries on how bees use visual clues to regulate flight speed and control landings have led to new robotic technology and the development of automatic systems for helicopters and micro robotic aircraft for use in space exploration.
“It was a thrill and quite unexpected,” Srinivasan said, after receiving the award at a ceremony held in Parliament House. He said he now planned a series of experiments to find out if bees could feel emotions as well as further aviation research.
The Prime Minister praised “Srini”, as he is known, for work that had “helped redefine robotics”. “What started 23 years ago as basic research with no apparent application is now followed closely by robotics experts around the world,” Howard told the Australian newspaper. He was among the five people honoured for their contribution to science and education. |
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Aussie students learn bits and bytes at NIIT |
With Australia facing a major skills shortage and a shortfall in IT graduates, India’s NIIT Technologies has signed a deal to get Australian students enrolled in its programmes Down Under. The agreement will see students from Melbourne’s Box Hill Technical and Further Education (TAFE) do four-month internship programmes at NIIT Technologies’ Australian projects, according to The Australian newspaper.
NIIT’s Australia country head John Price said with Australia facing a major skills shortage and a shortfall in IT graduates, the company’s partnership with Box Hill will help students bring their course material alive with experience from the IT industry. “The programme is also importantly aimed at helping to reduce the exodus of IT graduates into other business sectors,” he was quoted as saying.
NIIT Technologies is the latest Indian company to get into recruiting students in Australia. Last year Satyam Computer Services entered into a deal with Victoria University following which students from the university got to work at the company’s Indian and Chinese centres. Tata Consultancy Services has a similar graduate recruitment scheme covering Australia, China, Singapore and the Philippines. |
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