A chance meeting with the Australian High Commissioner of Thailand in 1965 instilled in Ram Vemuri the difference he could make as an Indian student studying in Australia.
Now as Associate Professor of Economics at Charles Darwin University Dr Ram Vemuri will return to India next week to inspire students to study abroad.
“I hope to put CDU on the map, by talking to students about my experience studying abroad,” Dr Vemuri said.
“At CDU we want to instil in their hearts and minds the message that their experience studying abroad is about cultural deepening as well as educational extension.”
Dr Vemuri will travel to India from 14 to 23 of February as part of the Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2011 with the CDU International Office.
“I will offer master classes for the students about the reality of studying in Australia to try to dispel some of their current perceptions,” he said.
“Globalisation is here to stay and at CDU we are offering a lifestyle change, rather than just a piece of paper.
“We live in a small, dynamic and multicultural city and offer students the opportunity to live and work in a multicultural environment, giving them a global experience to prepare them for the future.”
Dr Vemuri said that in reality studying abroad for anyone was about what they put into their experience not about the country.
“In 1965, the advice I received was that people would judge my country based on my actions, that I myself had more influence than any high commissioner or ambassador,” he said.