University of Tasmania, Australia

A UTAS student from Singapore has received a prestigious award enabling him to return to Australia to undertake PhD studies in the School of Plant Science.

Vinodan Rajandran completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with first class Honours at UTAS in 2008, before returning to Singapore to complete his two years of military service.

Interested in returning to UTAS for postgraduate studies, he applied to the Endeavour Postgraduate Award scheme, which is open to citizens of the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas to undertake study, research, the opportunity to participate in an internship and professional development in Australia.

“I am extremely delighted to have been selected to receive the Prime Minister's Australia Asia Award. The award provides me with the opportunity to pursue my interest in plant developmental genetics at the School of Plant Science.” he said

Mr. Rajandran’s application was ranked among the top 20 of approximately 200 successful applicants, qualifying him for the Prime Minister’s Australia-Asia Award. This award provides a bonus on top of the standard four-year Endeavour Postgraduate stipend, as well as travel and establishment support. It also provides an allowance should the student wish to complete an internship after graduation.

The 2011 Prime Minister’s Australia-Asia Awards were recently announced at a Presentation Dinner at Parliament House in Canberra. Recipients were congratulated by the Prime Minister and recognised as future leaders in research and Australia-Asia relations.

Mr. Rajandran began his PhD last June, under the supervision of Dr Jim Weller, within the School of Plant Science. Mr. Rajandran’s project investigates the genetic control of flowering, climatic adaptation and yield in lentil, an important legume crop, complimenting the broader goals of a major new ARC Discovery Project to commence in the School of Plant Science in 2012.

For further information on the Endeavour Awards, click: Endeavour Awards