Source : The Times Of India Date : Sep 5, 2019
Australia-based La Trobe University handed over a cheque of Australian $4,717 (around Rs 23 lakh) to representatives of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan-headed MEER Foundation, which works for women empowerment, including acid attack victims.
The university's vicechancellor, Prof John Dewar, who was here on Wednesday, said the donation to SRK's non-profit foundation, named after his father Meer Taj Mohammed Khan, was contributed by teachers and students of the university. La Trobe also announced a Shah Rukh Khan-LaTrobe University PhD scholarship for an aspiring woman researcher from India, to make a meaningful impact. "The Rs 1-crore scholarship will be awarded to a researcher to make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. It is an honour that we have associated with Mr Shah Rukh Khan, who undoubtedly is a global icon," said Amit Malhotra, regional director (South Asia and Africa).
The varsity has earlier hosted icons like Indira Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, Kapil Dev and Raj Kumar Hirani. Last month, it awarded SRK the Doctor of Letters (honoris causa), recognising his dedication to women's empowerment through his foundation and his unparalleled achievements in the Indian entertainment industry.
The 52-year-old university has also collaborated with IITKanpur, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS, Pilani) to establish the Asian Smart Cities Research and Innovation Network to work in the field of cyber security and other cutting-edge technology. Apart from 70 academics from the varsities who have joined the network, 50 scholarships will be given to PhD scholars for research in new technology.
Out of 8,000 students, around 4,000 are Indians and the varsity celebrates festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi and Diwali, said Prof Dewar.