Memorial lecture honours champion of cultural relations between Australia and India
Published on 30 March, 2010
The Inaugural Dr Martand Joshi Memorial Lecture will be held in Melbourne on the evening of Wednesday April 14 to honour a champion of cultural relations between Australia and India.
Professor Tony Adams*, an international education consultant and former senior academic, will reflect on the past 25 years in his address 'Reflections on International Education: the sale and purchase of dreams'. Particular note will be made of recent events including the Global Financial Crisis, Indian students in Australia and the new competitive world of international education.
This free event will recognise Dr Joshi's contribution to numerous cultural, religious, professional and community organisations in his role as Honorary Consul of India in Victoria and as International Cultural Adviser for CQUniversity's Melbourne and Sydney international campuses, before his death in May 2009.
He passed away shortly after returning from India, where he had been honoured for his support of education.
Dr Joshi was an award-winning academic well regarded for his work in the fields of geochemistry, mineralogy, crystallography and petrology. He was equally as comfortable around students as he was around academics, government representatives and dignitaries.
Martand was active in establishing a number of cultural and professional organisations in Melbourne, including the Australia-Indian Society of Victoria. In 1987 the Chancellor of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology awarded him the Centenary Medallion for his services to the promotion of education. In September, 2008 he was conferred with CQUniversity's highest award for recognition of service, the honorary degree of Doctor of the University.
International students frequently sought advice about affordable suburban accommodation, employment opportunities, the public transport system, immigration problems and issues of public safety and security. As a Hindu priest he also found time to officiate over the blessing of children, new home sites and marriage ceremonies.
In this role at CQUniversity, he helped international students from all countries manage their transition to a university environment and Australian culture. He also mentored and coached staff on the importance of teaching and learning within different cultural contexts and encouraged wide appreciation for how students' ethnicity and cultural background contribute to their learning experience.
He was passionate about acknowledging the hard work and success of students, attending graduations and numerous academic ceremonies following his formal association with the University in 2006.
The Inaugural Dr Martand Joshi Memorial Lecture will be held from 6pm-8pm at CQUniversity Melbourne (108 Lonsdale Street). Details and RSVPs are via Sue Robinson on s.robinson@mel.cqu.edu.au or 03 8662 0812 .
* Professor Tony Adams is from Tony Adams and Associates, International Education Consultants, and is a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University.