Dr Vaishnavi Krishnan Namboothiri smiles broadly as she discusses what she misses about Australia.

“The fresh fruits, especially avocados.  Avocado on toast is the best. The quality of the avocados in Australia is superior to India”, she beams.

Having returned to her homeland after a three-month stay at the Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology through the Future Research Talent (FRT) program, Dr Krishnan Namboothiri has a long list of highlights from her visit.

A Master of Clinical Research student at the Indian Institute of Public Health-Delhi, one of five sister institutes of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Dr Krishnan Namboothiri knew the experience was an opportunity to put the skills she had learned through her studies into real-world practice.

“I was blessed to have the guidance of not one but three supervisors.  Associate Professor Alexandra Webb, Associate Professor Krisztina Valter and Dr Danish Ahmad were outstanding mentors.”

“All three were instrumental in supporting my research work. I undertook a systematic review on best practice for team-based learning in medical education in the preclinical years. I hope to publish this year,” Dr Krishnan Namboothiri said.

“For the first time in my life I experienced cultural differences coming into play. I have excellent mentors in India, but it was different here.”

“I enjoyed a very different way of learning, and I thrived in this environment.”

“Receiving feedback about my work and progress in a constructive and thoughtful way is a lesson I will take into all my future endeavours.”

“Most importantly, I learned that showing kindness when providing feedback truly supports professional and personal improvement.” Dr Krishnan Namboothiri advised.

Dr Bhavya Pushkarna, another FTR program awardee and a university gold medallist from the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar (PHFI’s Western India sister institute), was excited to learn she wasn’t the only student from PHFI undertaking research at the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology.

“My supervisor at PHFI encouraged me to apply for the program advising it would be worthwhile experience to develop my career – to widen my research horizons, to deepen my skills and to connect with new people in the field,” Dr Pushkarna said.

“Of course, being in a new country and not knowing quite what to expect was daunting at first, but my fears dissipated after meeting my supervisors.”

“Dr Danish Ahmad and Associate Professor Rafat Hussain were so welcoming.  I felt at home; like I had always been a part of their team. I always looked forward to Monday,” Dr Pushkarna smiled.

“The best thing was the work environment.  Meeting people who were also at ANU through the FRT program enriched my learning. Also, the staff at the School of Medicine and Psychology were so friendly and willing to help. I’ve become great friends with some of the people I met and continue to keep in touch with them.”

“If I had any type of problem – either professional or personal – Danish and Rafat would be there to help me. At the same time, I felt empowered, and I had autonomy to make the two research projects I was working on, my own.

“One of my projects looked at clinician well-being and mental health, the other covered social and mental health supports for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.”

“I know this work will help me should I decide to pursue a PhD in future,” Dr Pushkarna added.

Dr Danish Ahmad who has been instrumental in identifying suitable research projects, supervising candidates and growing the FRT program between PHFI and ANU since 2022, said, “I am passionate about growing India-Australia research collaborations, particularly within medical sciences and capacity-building initiatives.”

“I was fortunate in my educational career to be supported by UK and Australian capacity-building initiatives.”

“In an increasingly globalised world, where health challenges require a multidisciplinary and transnational approach, it is fitting that the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology focuses its efforts in building international partnerships to advance these types of opportunities,” Dr Ahmad explained.

Dr Krishnan Namboothiri stated, “I signed up for the FTR program expecting to enhance my career opportunities, but I’ve left with so much more.”

“I’ve experienced cross-cultural learning, made life-long friends, learned some lasting lessons and, of course acquired new research skills that I will take into my work.”

“The experience was both personally and professionally fulfilling. If I had a chance to do it all over again, I most definitely would.”