AsianScientist (Mar. 12, 2015) – Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of Indian biopharmaceutical enterprise Biocon Ltd., has been honored by Federation University Australia (FedUni) which has dedicated a road at the University’s Mt. Helen Campus to her as ‘Mazumdar Drive’. She has also been appointed as an Ambassador of the University for a three-year term.
The University appoints eminent people from different walks of life, including business leaders, as Ambassador to contribute to the institution’s development. Mazumdar-Shaw is the first Indian to be named Ambassador by the University. Previous Ambassadors include Hong Kong businessman Dr. Woo Wai-man, Australian Olympian Steve Moneghetti and Australian actor Jaz Flowers.
“The University is so honored to welcome Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw back to the university she studied at all those years ago,” Professor David Battersby, Vice-Chancellor, Federation University Australia, said.
“Kiran was able to use the skills she learned here studying brewing to develop Biocon into one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies. We are also delighted Kiran has agreed to become an Ambassador for FedUni. This role will entail the promotion of the university on specific occasions,” Battersby said.
Speaking on the occasion, Mazumdar-Shaw said, “I am very grateful to Federation University Australia for its generosity in naming ‘Mazumdar Drive’ in my honor. I have many happy memories of my time here and acknowledge the significant role the University played in my education and development.”
Mazumdar-Shaw graduated from the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (one of FedUni’s predecessor institutions) in 1975 as a Master Brewer in Malting and Brewing. She also received an honorary Doctorate of Science from the University in 2004 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of biotechnology.
At a time when India and Australia are keen to reinvigorate strong bilateral ties between the two countries, Mazumdar-Shaw has been on a week-long visit to Australia during which she has had a series of meetings with the members of the Australia-India Business Council. She also delivered the 17th Dr. KR Narayanan Oration at the Australian National University, in Canberra.
The Dr. KR Narayanan Oration Lecture Series is hosted by the Australian National University in honor of the former Indian President, Dr. KR Narayanan. The annual oration is delivered by a leading Indian thinker, and the list of distinguished speakers has included Dr. Kaushik Basu, Dr. D. Subbarao, Dr. C. Rangarajan, Lord Meghnad Desai, Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, Professor U. R. Rao and Mr. P. Chidambaram.
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Source: Biocon; Photo: Federation University Australia.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
