Released on 29 May 2006

AUSTRALIA TO DOUBLE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR
ASIA-PACIFIC

The Australian Government announced on 26 April that Australia will double the number of educational scholarships it offers in the Asia-Pacific region.

19,000 additional scholarships will be created over the next 5 years. Australia has committed to provide AUD1.4 billion (equivalent to VND 17.080 billion) for this initiative.

Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Bill Tweddell, said “The initiative demonstrates the high value that Australia places on building relationships with countries in the region, based on mutual understanding, respect and people-to-people linkages informed by education.”

Australian Scholarships have a long history in Vietnam, supporting Vietnam’s key development and human resource priorities. Vietnam boasts an extensive and distinguished Australian alumni, including Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Pham Gia Khiem.

“Vietnam has many talented candidates. We encourage them to go to our website www.australianscholarships.gov.au for further information on this exciting development opportunity and apply”, Mr Tweddell said.

Australia’s increased commitment will support a new range of regional scholarships, Australian Leadership Awards (ALA). ALAs will target current and future leaders in business, education and government within the Asia-Pacific region and provide support for post-graduate study in Australia. Applications for the first intake in 2007 will close on 31 July.

‘Australian Scholarships’ bring together under one banner three major Australian scholarship programs: Australian Leadership Awards (new), Australian Development Scholarships and Endeavour Scholarships.

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) will continue to support Vietnam’s key development and human resource priorities. In 2007, AusAID will provide up to 150 scholarships for postgraduate study in Australia. This makes Vietnam the third largest source of ADS students to Australia.

The Endeavour Program will be significantly expanded. Over 9,000 new Endeavour scholarships will be provided, including for outgoing Australian students. Vietnamese students are eligible to apply for most of the categories. The scholarships will be a mix of postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational and technical education courses, and research and professional development awards. They are open to all fields of study.

Australian Scholarships are managed by the Australian government’s aid agency, AusAID, and the Australian Education International (AEI). All selection processes, except for ADS, will be carried out in Australia. For further information, please see: www.australianscholarships.gov.au

Contact:

Ms Susan McKeag, AusAID,
Tel: (84-4) 831 7755 Ext. 264
Email: [email protected]

Ms Bettina Cooke, AEI on behalf of the Department of Education, Science and Training
Tel: (84-4) 831 7755 Ext. 429
Email: [email protected]