Twenty Vietnamese win Australian Leadership Award scholarships

The Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Allaster Cox, today announces that 20 Vietnamese high performers will be offered a prestigious Australian Leadership Award (ALA) scholarship.

These scholarships are implemented by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) as part of the Australia Awards initiative which provides Vietnam with around 400 scholarships a year. The ALA program aims to develop leadership, build partnerships and enduring linkages between developing countries and Australia.

“These 20 outstanding people have been identified for their potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in Vietnam and the region on their return home,” said Mr Cox.

The successful 20 Vietnamese candidates have been selected from over 1000 applications from around the world to receive one of only 205 ALA scholarships available in 2011. Vietnam received more awards than any other country except for Indonesia.

“These scholars can be justifiably proud of winning a prestigious award that will equip them to serve as future leaders of their field in their country and region, and I congratulate them all,” Mr Cox said.

“The Australia Awards initiative demonstrates Australia’s commitment to developing leadership and building partnerships and linkages within developing countries, while addressing priority development issues of Vietnam.”

Vietnamese awardees come from government, media and business sectors, and include experts on climate change, internet-based education, energy sector reform and road construction. They will undertake postgraduate studies at Australian universities in fields that include economic growth, education and environment. They will also participate in a tailored leadership development program during the course of their studies.

A highly-ranked Vietnamese awardee, Ms Nguyen Ngoc Lan, a lecturer at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, will study a Master of International Law and International Relations at the University of New South Wales. Ms Lan feels that her study in Australia will provide her insight into a different legal system, give her access to renowned academics, and improve her research and teaching capacity.

Further information about Australia Awards can be found at www.australiaawards.gov.au.

Contact: Ms Nguyen Lan Phuong, Tel: +84-4- 3774 0230, E-mail: [email protected]