Murdoch University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University, Andhra Pradesh, India (ANGRAU).
ANGRAU is a public university in Andhra Pradesh, the tenth most populous state in India with an economy primarily focused on agriculture. Western Australia signed a Sister State agreement with Andhra Pradesh in 2016.
Murdoch University Vice Chancellor, Professor Andrew Deeks said Murdoch University has been a leader in establishing ties with other institutions and collaborating on important research and academic activities.
“In particular, it will strengthen the development and promotion of research; research training; and teaching, curriculum and course design, including training programmes.
“In addition, the MoU provides for the sharing and dissemination of academic materials; the exchange of, and cooperation between, respective staff, scholars and students including supervision and examination of students and the training and upgrading of staff.
“We will also be sponsoring cooperative seminars, workshops and other academic meetings of matters of mutual interest.”
Professor Deeks said Andhra Pradesh is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’, and Murdoch University would work closely with ANGRAU to share and improve knowledge in agricultural research and development.
“Universities need to collaborate and cooperate – it builds knowledge within, as well as globally,” Professor Deeks said.
“We know the world will require 70 per cent more food 2050 to feed the world’s 9.5 billion people, which is why Universities are so important to solving these problems, and cooperation between universities is vital to this.
“Our memorandum of understanding is integral to delivering the research and finding the solutions to address these fundamental challenges ahead of us.”
The MoU was signed by Professor Deeks and Vice Chancellor of ANGRAU, Dr A Vishnuvardhan Reddy in the presence of the Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing and Food Processing of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hon. Mr Kakani Govardhan Reddy and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture and the Arts; Sport and Recreation; International Education; Heritage, Hon Samantha Rowe MLC.