Mumbai: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" seems to have caught the ears of the Australian government and they have taken it quite literally to improve Jack's lot.

For the first time ever in India, the Griffith University (GU) in partnership with Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University has launched a Bachelor of Exercise Science Program and the second Border - Gavaskar Scholarship today at Navi-Mumbai to cater those students who want to pursue their career in sports.

The Border-Gavaskar scholarship will be awarded to an Indian student to complete a Masters by course work program at GU.

The scholarship covers university fees, living costs and travel expenses for the duration of the program. The recipient will commence the program in July 2010.

The Border Gavaskar Masters Scholarship is awarded on each occasion that Australia and India play for the coveted Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Speaking about the scholarship, Mr. Rahul Mankad, Regional Director - South Asia & Middle East, Griffith International, GU said, "The scholarship was started to celebrate the cricketing spirit shared by the two nations. The scholarship honours two great cricketers who served their countries through sporting excellence with distinction and pride. Both Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar were keen that it would not be offered as a sports scholarship and they decided on academic merit. So, a student opting for any course will be considered but the one with the best academic results will win it."

Future endeavors of both the universities include establishing of an "International Sport Centre of Excellence" at Padmashree DDYPU that includes an excellent sports testing and rehabilitation facility.

The function also saw the launch of the 3½-year degree program which is spread between academic stints in the Padmashree DDYPU and GU.

The first phase of the program comprising of 1½ years of academic program and 6 months internship will be delivered in the Padmashree DDYPU campus leading to a Diploma of Exercise Science and the second phase of the program spanning two years will be delivered in the Gold Coast Campus of GU leading to a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science.

Students passing out of higher secondary school (10+2 Science Stream) are eligible for entry into the program.

The program addresses skill sets gaps in the industry. There is a shortage of skilled professionals in sports conditioning, injury prevention and sports-specific training in India.

The Exercise Science Program aims to develop exercise specialists and clinical scientists specializing in cardiac, respiratory and biomechanical disciplines.

This program will provide opportunities for graduating students to work in India and in international markets, providing broad career opportunities to specialize in key functional areas & positions as:

- Clinical specialist in cardiac and respiratory medicine
- Exercise specialist for community or sports organizations
- Sports coaching
- Rehabilitation, sports or recreation manager
- Sports science administrator
- Specialist in occupational health & safety
- Fitness specialist

According to a press release from the Australian government, the GU is offering a tuition fee waiver for one student amongst every 10 students that are participating in the 2nd phase of the program in its campus leading to the degree.

Mr. Christopher Madden, Pro Vice Chancellor, International, GU, elaborated on the India and Australia relationship and said that, "There are more than 700 students from India enrolled at GU at any given time and India is one of the top three source international student destinations for the University. India is a vital market for its academic engagement and we are very pleased to enter into a strategic tie up with Padmashree DDYPU for joint delivery of programs & collaborative research. We also intend to set up a world class sports testing and rehabilitation facility here."

Enumerating the advantages that the students may arrive at, Mr. Madden elaborated on the program's strong foundation in the physical, bio-medical and physiological sciences for students to become exercise specialists, or to undertake further studies in health education and sporting-related professions.

"As a pioneer in fostering relations between Australia and India, GU will deliver a world class program in Exercise Science," added Mr. Madden.

Speaking about the program, Dr. Vijay D Patil, President, Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy said, "The future of sports as a career is changing in India. Students who have the potential and inclination for pursuing a career in sports medicine now have an opportunity of graduating with a degree program in exercise science, which is being introduced for the first time in India. This program will give our students access to some of the best facilities in sports and sport science in Australia and India."

GU is Australia's ninth largest higher education institution with five campuses spanning three cities. Ranked amongst the top 4% of universities worldwide, it is a home to over 38,000 students including 9,000 international students from 125 countries.

Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil University (DDYPU) is a deemed University founded in 2003 by Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil, a philanthropist, social worker and educationist with interests in education and health care.

The University also houses a Sports Academy on campus in Navi Mumbai, including the D.Y. Patil Cricket Stadium.