Dr. Sharmistha PAL

Student of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India
Exchange to The University of Adelaide, Australia

My experience as an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship 2014, at the University of Adelaide was adventurous. This prestigious fellowship allowed me to advance my studies in ways that would never been possible without this kind of support. My research was focused on developing technology for soil, water and nutrient conservation in sandy soil, which is of enormous significance from environmental, economic and food security point of view. The project was also aimed to reduce emission of greenhouse gases, that otherwise cause adverse environmental effect and decrease agricultural production.

The programme made me look at my professional life in different ways and has inspired me to try to achieve my research goals in the future. I made new friendships and developed potential international collaborations for future research. I am truly grateful to the Australian Government and the Cheung Kong Group for providing me with such a funding support. I hope to have a continuing and evolving role with the Australian Government, including visiting more of their international programs, if such opportunity arises in future. The programme of ongoing seminar and lecture series at the University took my breath away and ensured there was always a buzz in the air. My time at the University of Adelaide was a wonderful experience. It allowed me to gain access to some of the best researchers in my chosen field of research.

The most important benefits of cross-cultural networks is to get the unique opportunities to learn new things from people that I wouldn’t pick up from a book or on-line, professional and personal relationships. The Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship is a unique platform that facilitates a network of future leaders for collaboration between host and home organizations. This is, indeed, a lifetime opportunity to shape future economy of the host and home countries through skills, earning, intellectual property gains, discovery and innovation. Through this fellowship, I would be a part of Australia Awards Alumni Network and Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards Alumni Network, which are exciting initiatives to promote relationships between Endeavour recipients. As part of these networks, I will take initiative in developing understanding, cooperation and ongoing Indo-Australian research linkages.

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