The Hon Mr Chernov receiving a momento from Prof Pollard.

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The Governor of Victoria wants to see universities in Australia and Malaysia form closer collaboration in the area of agriculture.

The Hon Alex Chernov said that while Malaysia and Australia have collaborated in areas of business and information technology, the agricultural sector was often overlooked.

“Universities play a very critical part in this. They are at the forefront of developing new thinking and new approaches,” he said.

Victoria, he said, could contribute its expertise in the growing area of agricultural financial management and regulation of superannuation funds.

“But the important part is that it is very well regulated. There can be greater collaboration in this,” he said.

Mr Chernov was visiting Monash University Sunway campus with wife, Elizabeth. They were accompanied by the Official Secretary to the Governor of Victoria Dr Charles Curwen and wife, Sandy.

Also in the party were Commissioner for Victoria to South-east Asia Mr Tim Dillon and Victorian State Government of Australia (Malaysia) Education Services Director Ms Celia Yeoh. The delegation was received by Monash University Sunway campus Pro Vice-Chancellor and President Prof Robin Pollard.

“Victoria’s strength and expertise in agriculture could be of use to Malaysia and other Asian countries in the area of sheep and cattle maintenance,” Mr Chernov said.

“Water conservation and sewer conservation is another area which I am sure we can develop,” he added.

The Governor had earlier presented the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching and Administration.

On transnational education, Mr Chernov said that the seeds of cross-border education between Australia and Malaysia began with the Colombo Plan in the 1950s.

“What we have with Malaysia is that we have third-generation Malaysians who are keen to continue their children and grandchildren’s education in Australia. But the reverse is starting to happen now.

“The Monash campus here is just fantastic from what I have seen. You’ve got Australian students here getting the same quality degree as they can get in Melbourne with the distinct advantage of being right on the doorstep of Asia.”

Light moment - (From left) Mr Tim Dillon, the Hon Mr Chernov, Sunway Group Chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah,  the Group's CEO of Education and Healthcare Mr Lee Weng Keng, and Prof Robin Pollard.

PVC Awards for Excellence in Research, Teaching and Administration

The second round of the awards for 2011 saw a total of 130 project submissions (33 – research, 40 – teaching, 57 – administration) involving 285 campus staff.

Deputy President (Academic) Prof Chris Messom encouraged staff members to keep submitting applications.

“It also shows the level of activity done on campus,” he said.

Among projects which won the award were research projects on the gold dinar and an aging population while administrative projects included inter-departmental collaborations on various projects.