Adam Gilchrist was in the city along with University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Paul Wellings to launch the Bradman Foundation Scholarship that will help a young Indian student to study in Australia. The student will have to show excellence in academic, sporting, personal and social skills and a strong participation in cricket.
Gilchrist said the university's visit to Bangalore is keeping in mind the IT industry that has put India on the global map. "Bangalore has a global reputation for IT which is also one of the strengths of the University of Wollongong," Gilchrist said. "It is only natural that we should be sharing discussions and information with Bangalore's IT specialists while we are in India," he said.
Gilchrist said his advice to youngsters would be to maintain a judicious balance between academics and sport. "Both my parents were teachers, and all my siblings went to university. I too was all set, but at that time, I received a scholarship to go to the Cricket Academy. Realising that education goes hand in hand with pursuing professional sport, we want to work with the Bradman Foundation to find a way for a young person to pursue both."
Gilchrist said it is important to educate youngsters early and help them have a career to fall back on if they don't make it to the bigger sporting arena. "We need to be educating youngsters as early as possible. Focussing on professional sport is attractive.," he said.
