Applications Open for 225 Australian Development Scholarships

The Australian Agency for International Development and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training welcome applications for Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) from 15 June to 30 July 2010.

The ADS program is part of the Australia Awards – an initiative launched by the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in November 2009 to consolidate all Australian Government scholarships under a single scheme.

Since 1974 over 3000 Vietnamese people have studied in Australia on Australian Government scholarships. Many have since risen to prominent positions within the Vietnamese government, academia and the private sector. For example, Dr Vo Tri Thanh, Vice President of the Central Institute of Economic Management, is one of the most influential thinkers on economic development in South-East Asia today.

ADS scholarships are awarded each year to promote economic growth and poverty reduction in Vietnam and improve linkages between Australia and Vietnam. Up to 225 mainly-postgraduate scholarships will be awarded to Vietnamese to study at their choice of university in Australia in 2011/2012.

Applicants should belong to one of the following target groups – local government officials, rural development workers, central government officials, university lecturers and researchers, or English teachers. Study should relate to human resource development, economic integration or environmental sustainability.

Scholarships are valued at up to A$300,000 and cover academic fees, annual stipend, return airfare and basic health insurance. A key feature of the program is the provision of up to seven months intensive pre-course English training in Vietnam, and a further three months in Australia, if required.

Disadvantaged candidates – ethnic minorities, people from designated rural poor districts and people with disabilities – will be considered for undergraduate-level study and given extra English support if required. Last year, Khmer, Nung and Tay ethnic minority students were awarded ADS scholarships.

For further information please visit the website or email your query to [email protected], or call the hotline (04) 3938 7375 (8:30am - 4:30pm weekdays from 15 June to 30 July 2010). Information on other Australian Government scholarship opportunities is available at www.australiaawards.gov.au.