UNSW Sydney will transform its campus for the Festival of India, a high-energy, event-packed week that will promote Australia’s partnership and friendship with the rapidly emerging global powerhouse.
Catharine Heffernan
Media Office
+61 2 9385 1583
catharine.heffernan@unsw.edu.au
UNSW's Kensington campus will transform into a little India this week, showcasing the country’s rich, cultural offerings – a bazaar with tempting Indian treats, henna tattoos, Bollywood flash mobs, yoga workshops and breathtaking light shows.
This unique festival will also highlight the dynamic new India, with its impressive developments in innovation, finance, scientific research and economic growth.
Festivalgoers will get a chance to see UNSW Sydney’s own academic and innovation partnerships and joint-initiatives with India.
There will be networking events, informative presentations from eminent guest speakers, student workshops, a business start-up showcase for student entrepreneurs, and a research collaboration masterclass.
This festival will host UNSW Sydney’s alumni panel of Indian trailblazers and UNSW International Future of Change and Business School Scholarship winners.
Festivities include a prestigious inaugural gala dinner, on Monday 23 October, which will be attended by key influencers and leaders.
A Gandhi Spectacles Hackathon will be held on Tuesday 24 October to develop ideas on sustainable design of a real pair of Gandhi Spectacles.
In a tribute to innovation, sustainability and advanced manufacturing, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this year presented India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a replica of Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic spectacles – made entirely from waste using breakthrough recycling technology developed at UNSW.
According to the latest BRICS Innovative Competitive Report 2017, India’s innovation growth rate is expected to rise significantly over the next decade, solidifying its reputation as a global and economic powerhouse. The Australia-India ventures have already led to successful technology collaborations and education partnerships.
This festival is a nod to the India effect: a powerful mix of age-old Gandhian ideology and new-age technological innovation – destined to transform our future. It also marks the end of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
"India Illuminated" Festival of India 2017 will be held on the Kensington campus of UNSW from 23 to 26 October 2017.
Festival details and daily event programs are available here.