A Mumbai stockbroker now living at North Lakes has gained a Faculty medal along with her Bachelor of Business from USC.

Urmila Dani, 31, officially received her degree at the April USC Graduation Ceremony and was congratulated by her proud parents who flew in from India to witness their daughter’s success.

The University also this month boosted its growing relationship with India, signing its first Memorandum of Understanding with a government university in the country of more than a billion people.

Ms Dani, who achieved a grade point average of 6.69 out of 7, said she was surprised to receive the medal and grateful for the support of her husband Gaurang, who is a qualified chemical engineer.

“I worked as a registered stockbroker in Mumbai between 2005 and 2009, before coming to Australia in 2010,” she said.

“My firm M/s. Urmila Securities conducted portfolio management, back office functions, client relationship management and operation of the online trading terminal, with authorisation from the Securities Exchange Board of India.

“My husband and I decided to relocate for better quality of lifestyle and professional opportunities.”

Pictured: Urmila Dani with her parents Anjali and Satish at graduation.

Ms Dani, who now intends to work and do further study, said she chose USC for its cultural opportunities, reputation for excellence and flexible study options.

“Cultural competence is significant in today’s corporate world and I was keen to enrol in a university with a large local student population to gain exposure to new ideas, people and classroom environments,” she said.

“The travel was convenient between North Lakes and Sippy Downs. I had access to the University’s shuttle bus service or the drive took about 45 minutes and parking on campus had the options of paid or free zones.

“The USC Bachelor of Business equipped me with knowledge, skills and a great deal of confidence. It gave me deeper insight into real-world business operations. Dr Bishnu Sharma made the study of management extremely interesting.”

USC’s new Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Mumbai was welcomed by Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Roland De Marco, who said it was a major outcome of his participation in the 2012 Queensland Premier’s Trade Mission to India.

Pictured: Dr Vinayak Dalvie of the University of Mumbai and USC’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Birgit Lohmann signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

Professor De Marco said the three-year agreement with the University of Mumbai, signed by its Vice-Chancellor Dr Rajan Welukarwho was represented by visiting Academic Council Member Dr Vinayak Dalvie, would prompt collaborations in teaching and research, as well as student and staff exchanges.

Professor De Marco is also co-supervising Dr Dalvie’s PhD examining the water quality of two lakes in Maharashtra.

“In the near future, University of Mumbai researchers intend to visit USC to use our excellent research capabilities to work on projects ranging from marketing the Indian wine industry to road safety,” Professor De Marco said.

Applications are now open to start studying at USC mid-year. Visit the mid-year website call Student Administration on 5430 2890 or email information@usc.edu.au.

— Julie Schomberg