Next month, UOW will be hosting its inaugural week-long Bollywood in Wollongong festival, which it hopes to expand next year to include film screenings as part of the Indian Film Festival.

The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Joe Chicharo said Wollongong was experiencing closer ties with India, encouraged by Indian coal-mining company Gujarat NRE.

He said the university had had discussions with organisers of the film festival and were hopeful of being included in the line-up of cities next year.

‘‘The Indian Film Festival is happening in Sydney and we are keen to have it happening in Wollongong too,’’ he said.

‘‘This is about the cultural linkages and getting our students to get a better idea of Indian society.’’

Prof Chicharo also hoped the festival would play a role in trying to rehabilitate Australia’s image in India, after a series of brutal bashings of Indian students in Melbourne last year.

‘‘We are also trying to counter some of the negative images that have been projected in India,’’ he said.

‘‘This is an opportunity to showcase the best of India.’’

The university has attempted to increase its ties with the subcontinent over the past 12 months.

Last year, it announced plans to set up a campus in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.

UOW’s Bollywood in Wollongong festival will take place over four days between March 22-25. For more information visit www.bollygong.com.au.