Indian science students and teachers experience campus life at Melbourne

High-achieving Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Blended) students visited Parkville campus recently for the biennial research camp, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in world-class research and teaching at the University of Melbourne.

The BSc (Blended) is a unique program, run by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with Indian research and higher education institutions, designed to prepare undergraduate students in India for further study in postgraduate science internationally.

Professor Andrew Pask and participants in the BSc (Blended) Research Camp

Twenty-one Indian students and five supporting academics from partner institutions including Pune University, Modern College – Shivajinagar, Modern College – Ganeshkhind, and the University of Madras attended the eight-day camp.

Over the course of the week, students toured the Parkville campus and heard from academics in chemistry, physics and many other disciplines.

This included exploring how researchers are de-extincting Australia’s thylacine, biotech applications in the field and how accelerator physics is contributing to cancer detection and treatment. Participants even took some time to explore the city of Melbourne, including a much-anticipated tour of the famous Melbourne Cricket Grounds.

At the camp’s welcome event, University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement, Professor Michael Wesley said the BSc (Blended) program blends the best teaching practices of the University of Melbourne and its Indian partners.

“Today, more than ever, universities play a vital role in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges,” Professor Wesley said.

“The capacity of universities to lead and bring people together to work on big problems, both locally and globally, has never been more important.

“That is why programs like the BSc (Blended) and the BSc (Blended) Research Camp are so vital — they bring together students, researchers, and academics from around the world to collaborate on solutions that offer lasting impacts in fields ranging from science and technology to social innovation and public health.

“The overwhelming success of the BSc (Blended) program is credit to the tremendous work of our wonderful collaborators in India and my colleagues across the University of Melbourne.”

Learn more about studying the BSc (Blended) with the University of Melbourne.