Melbourne to host Indian digital governance expert under Maitri Fellowship

Melbourne, July 14 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne is set to host Dr Preeti Mudliar from Bangalore, who has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2025 Centre for Australia India Relations Maitri Fellowship.

The fellowship, announced on July 13 by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, is awarded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to individuals contributing to stronger Australia-India ties through research and policy engagement.

Dr Mudliar will spend a year at the Australia India Institute, where she will focus her research on digital identity and governance systems — areas critical to both nations in an increasingly digital world. Her work will build upon her previous research on making digital infrastructure more inclusive and effective in India, with potential applications for Australia.

Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh welcomed the appointment, expressing hope that Dr Mudliar’s expertise will enrich bilateral dialogue and policy research while fostering closer collaboration between the two countries.

The Maitri Fellowship Program supports scholars and thought leaders working on projects that enhance Australia-India relations, contributing to stronger peopleto-people connections and mutual understanding across the Indo-Pacific.