AAGS 2021: Round 2 Winners
Following the success of a pan-India pilot of the Australian Alumni Grants Scheme (AAGS) in February 2020, the Australian Missions in India have committed to providing annual allocations for future rounds. The program provides up to AU$20,000 per grant and was open to all Indian nationals (or Australians with a valid Overseas Citizenship of India card) who have graduated from a recognised Australian tertiary institution and are currently based in India.
Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, we received 63 high-quality applications from Australian alumni across India, covering areas as diverse as cleantech, agritech, edtech, clean energy, sustainable environment, women in leadership, STEM, research and innovation. After completing a competitive and merit-based assessment by the AAGS Selection Committee, the Australian Government supported thirteen alumni-led projects totalling AU$157,500. Awards were presented by Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator The Hon Marise Payne.
Future rounds will be announced by December each year. AAGS guidelines are available here.
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Independent Consultant, Climate Change adaptation and management Master's in Environmental Sustainability, Monash University (2009) |
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Project |
Indo-Australian Platform on Environmental Education and Research (IA-PEER) |
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Description |
This project intends to build a collaborative platform to connect Australian and Indian academics, students, emerging environmental leaders and indigenous communities to inform climate research and policy in both countries. It will promote eco-centric and indigenous perspectives in environmental leadership, regenerative living, climate adaptation and conservation. IA-PEER activities will include: (1) an emerging leaders colloquium; (2) thought leaders webinar series; (3) community engagement campaign; (4) environmental leadership course design and implementation; and (5) joint publications. |
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Partners |
Auroville Foundation; CERES Community Environment Park; Sydney Environment Institute -University of Sydney; Latrobe University |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 17,000 |
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Group Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development, Science & Technology Park, Pune Master of the Built Environment / Master of Construction Project Management University of New South Wales (2007) |
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Project |
Indo-Australian Cleantech Exchange (IACX) |
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Description |
This project aims to establish a bridge and virtual landing-pad for cleantech R&D and the adoption of such technologies and scientific knowledge in Australia and India. It will comprise technology developers, universities, government agencies, industry bodies, incubators and startups from key growth promoting sectors. The platform intends to: (1) evaluate and showcase proven emerging tech that helps reduce or eliminate negative environmental effects; (2) accelerate the transfer and adoption of cleantech technologies across both countries; (3) spur deeper engagement of problem owners, solution providers and associated stakeholders; (4) highlight and help resolve regulatory or compliance related challenges; and (5) develop a funding and investment model. The project will culminate in a pilot program with local government authority and industry partners, documenting the need, implementation and resulting impact following the adoption of cleantech in at least one facet of the city's/region’s operations or the industry sector. |
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Partners |
Science and Technology Park – University of Pune; Transenviro Designs Studios; Pune City Municipal Corporation (proposed); Sydney Startup Hub (proposed); CSIRO, UNSW |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 16,500 |
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Third-party Funding |
AU$ 3,000 |
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Smart Food Coordinator, Asia-Pacific, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Graduate Diploma of Management, University of Western Sydney |
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Project |
Automated Millet Finder |
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Description |
This project aims to develop an automated platform using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to show, track and promote millet products, yield growth, and associated companies. It will highlight key millet market trends and opportunities globally. The first version of the Millet Finder was manually compiled to test the tool’s utility. Ahead of the UN International Year of Millets in 2023, this platform will be an interactive promotional tool to engage industry, government, researchers and consumers to highlight why this smart, super food is good for the planet, the farmer and the customer. |
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Partners |
Microsoft; Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF); Kuza Technologies; University of Queensland |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 10,000 |
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Environmental Scientist, Alluvium International Master of Integrated Water Management, university of Queensland (2015) |
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Project |
Benchmarking Water Sensitive Cities (WSC) |
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Description |
Benchmarking Water Sensitive Cities (WSC): This project aims to support Indian cities improve their water management to meet the water needs of a growing population, while supporting a city’s urban sustainability, resilience and productivity. It will pilot the use of Australian-developed WSC Index benchmarking process to support a collaborative and participatory approach to providing policy decision-makers and urban planners in West Bengal and Odisha with the information needed to drive change in how the city manages its water. This includes a shared understanding of how water is currently managed, local areas of strength and weaknesses, and indicative areas to improve urban water management. If successful, the pilots will inspire further Index applications and help build momentum for its broader adoption of the index across India. |
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Partners |
Alluvium International; The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Cooperative Research Centre Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC); University of Queensland (proposed); International Water Centre Australia (proposed) |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 15,000 |
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Assistant Professor of Legal Practice, Jindal Global Law School Juris Doctor, University of New South Wales (2015) |
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Lecturer of Legal Practice, Jindal Global Law School Master of Law, University of Melbourne (2020) |
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Project |
Promoting Women in Leadership – Diversity on Boards in Australia and India |
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Description |
This project aims to create awareness about the new challenges to ‘diversity and inclusion’ especially during COVID-19. It seeks to build people-to-people and institutional ties through a network of women leaders focused on priority sectors (sports and infrastructure). It will host webinars, roundtables, conferences, and develop a white paper to identify steps for corporations in both countries to improve gender representation in corporate governance. The project also intends to develop a course in “Diversity and Corporate Governance” for Indian corporates harnessing Australia’s state-of-the art technical and educational expertise. |
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Partners |
Centre for India Australian Studies, Jindal Global University; University of Queensland; Australia-India Business Council (AIBC); Institute for Australia-India Engagement (IAIE) |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 14,000 |
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Co-Founder and Managing Director, Pragmatech Healthcare Solutions Master of Biotechnology and Business, Macquarie University (2009) |
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Project |
CERVICHECK |
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Description |
This project intends to increase large-scale adoption of periodic screening for cervical cancer through an innovative prototype (patent pending), the CERVICHECK™ Self Sampling Kit. This empowers women to collect cervical cells by themselves, privately, at a place and time of their choice. Unlike other self-sampling kits available globally, the design enables collection of cells from the “transformation zone of the Cervix” which in-turn allows the triaging of HPV positive samples with Liquid Based Cytology. This provides a more accurate, clinically conclusive solution for effective prognosis in a low resource setting like India by reducing drop-outs and increasing recall rates. |
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Partners |
Prayas Amrita Clinic; Savli Technology and Business Incubator (GoGuj); Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 6,000 |
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Mr Venkateswaran Palat Krishnan Founder, Education Overseas Academy Master of Law, The Australian National University (2013) |
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Project |
STEM Challenge Pilot |
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Description |
This project aims to enhance the skills and abilities for achieving Academic Excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects for students from Class 6 to 11 in India. This will be measured by encouraging students to take the STEM Challenge Course and Test in key STEM subjects benchmarked at Australia (Victoria State) standards. Up to 100,000 students across 20 schools will be targeted in this pilot. High Achievers will be rewarded with a trip (or virtual connection) to Australian universities and businesses to learn how Australia can support their future career ambitions. |
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Partners |
Education Overseas Academy; The Good Hope Trust; Victorian State Government |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 12,000 |
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Urban Management and Development Consultant Master of Environmental Management and Development, The Australian National University (2011) |
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Project |
EdTech for Inclusive and Accessible Cities
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Description |
This project will develop an e-learning course to train Indian Urban Local bodies across seven Indian cities on the principles of the UN Convention on Rights for Persons with Disabilities. It will help national/state government policymakers, Indian city leaders, urban planners and social impact professionals to increase their capacity to plan, design and build more equitable, inclusive and accessible cities. The digital platform will be interactive and cover the following sessions: (1) Eliminating Barriers: Standards and Guidelines for Universal Accessibility in Policy and Planning; (2) Creating a greater commitment to accessibility for all; (3) Access and Inclusion: a Holistic Framework for Equality and Non-discrimination in Policy and Programs; (4) The Future of Accessibility: Digital Inclusion in Smart Cities; (5) Monitoring & Evaluation: Measuring Performance, Mitigating Risk and Achieving Success; and (6) Towards localisation of Sustainable Development Goals: Recommendations to ensure Equity & Access. |
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Partners |
Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre; Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (proposed); National Institute of Urban Affairs (proposed); University Of Melbourne; Australian National University. |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 13,000 |
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Co-Founder and CEO, Space Basic Master of Engineering (2013) / MBA (2014), University of Technology Sydney (2014) |
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Project |
SpaceBasic |
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Description |
This project aims to develop a one-stop communication and networking app that facilitates seamless information sharing for students, universities, hostel management and global partners seeking student engagement. The SpaceBasic prototype application addresses critical problems like student safety checks, digital data management, and open and improved communication channels between all stakeholders. This project aims to take the SpaceBasic App to lower income students in tier 2 and 3 cities across India, to create equal opportunities (akin to living in a tier 1 city) via its growing global partner network. This will provide access to skill development programs, jobs, internships, study abroad opportunities, and create a talent pool of underrepresented students based on qualifications, rather than the bias of background or location. |
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Partners |
SpaceBasic; CMR Institute of Technology Bengaluru; Reva Institute; Rotary Bangalore Southwest Charitable Trust; University of Technology Sydney (UTS)/ InQ Innovation. |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 10,000 |
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CEO, Sunpower Renewables Master of Applied Finance, Monash University (2005) |
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Project |
Digital Infrastructure for Development |
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Description |
This project intends to provide fully integrated, inexpensive solar generation and storage to 20,000+ people in three socioeconomically disadvantaged rural communities in West Bengal to support their livelihoods, education and health. It will equip rural field offices with sustainable ICT equipment and provide field workers with capacity building training to implement COVID-19 awareness campaigns, conduct infection control, aid physical distancing for teachers and students, enhance farm productivity and empower women and girls. This pilot will showcase Australian renewable technology and promote Australian energy solutions to an Indian market. |
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Partners |
Pragya, SunPower Renewables; ImmersifAI Pty Ltd |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 14,000 |
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Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Management Udaipur PhD Monash University (2016) |
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Project |
Economic Resilience of Women during pandemics |
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Description |
This project aims to empirically measure the resilience of women during the COVID pandemic in India. It will explore social and economic factors, as well as the infrastructure and policies that might improve outcomes for women and their families. Beyond publishing the study in a world renowned journal, this project will create a new toolkit to assess and evaluate the economic and social resilience that can be used by the World Vision Partnership (active in close to 100 countries) and other NGOs. It is expected to inform future World Vision India programs and policies. It will also develop an e-learning module (available free through Coursera) to promote the recommendations from the study. |
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Partners |
Indian Institute of Management Udaipur; World Vision India; Monash University; Flinders University |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 10,000 |
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Scientist, Catalysis and Inorganic Chemistry Division, CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2016), Endeavour Research Fellow (2014), RMIT |
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Project |
Greener, Cleaner Energy Solutions |
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Description |
This project aims to tackle global warming and growing energy demand by converting greenhouse gas (CO2) into methanol. This process helps to avoid using fossil fuel-based processes for methanol synthesis. Methanol is an important fuel and a key precursor for producing numerous commodity chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetic acid, and dimethyl ether. This innovative technology will showcase a sustainable catalytic energy strategy for CO2-to-methanol processing, and encourage CO2 capture/utilisation technologies. The multifunctionality of the catalysts will be useful for various industrially important processes, such as biofuels production, photocatalysis, hydrogen production, wastewater treatment, and much more. |
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Partners |
CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, University of Queensland |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 10,000 |
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Landscape Architect Master of Landscape Architecture, RMIT (2017) |
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Project |
Landscape Urbanism for Disaster Risk Reduction |
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Description |
This project aims research the impact of rapid urbanisation in Chennai, which has created ecological and social problems such as increasingly severe urban flooding, development of informal settlements and high level of dependency on government agencies. Through in-situ fieldwork, it will investigate opportunities and constraints of the community-based approach to landscape urbanism as a viable option for mitigating the risks of natural disasters. The project will conclude with ‘tools of design’ and a platform for the development of further recommendations suitable for coastal cities, in India and around the world. |
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Partners |
UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction; Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research; National Institute of Urban Affairs (proposed); The Sustainable Platform; Helping Hand, Bombay Sarvodaya Friendship Centre, Chennai Resilience Centre; RMIT (proposed) |
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Grant Funding |
AU$ 10,000 |
