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Gallus
Four young scientists from Papua New Guinea will receive John Allwright
Fellowships for higher degree study in Australia in 2003.
The awards, announced today by the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, Chris Gallus, are made to researchers involved with projects funded by
the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
The aim of the fellowship scheme is to enhance research capacity in
institutions in less developed Asia-Pacific countries. At the same time, the
individual's personal and academic development is fostered.
Mrs Gallus said eight of the 12 awards this year would go to scientists from
PNG, the Pacific and Indonesia. Gender equity is a feature of the scheme, with
six of the awards going to female researchers.
Marine biologist Ms Ursula Kolkolo from West New Britain Province is one of
only three female PNG nationals working in marine biology. She worked for PNG's
National Fisheries Authority for many years, and is now teaching a new
generation of biologists at the University of PNG. She is involved in a project
on inland pond aquaculture, and will enrol for doctoral studies at the
University of Western Sydney.
Ms Gallus said Australia was increasing its investment in building the skills
of PNG nationals. 'This type of assistance helps not just the individual
recipients and their institutions, but also the many people who work with and
are trained by them over their working life,' she said.
Returning PNG Fellows are often rapidly promoted to positions of significant
responsibility. The Deputy Director of the National Forest Research Institute is
a former John Allwright Fellow, as is the CEO of the PNG Cocoa Board.
Other PNG awardees for 2003 include a young economist employed by the
National Research Institute in Port Moresby, a scientist with the National
Forest Service, and a veterinary scientist working for the National Agricultural
Quarantine Inspection Authority.
A Fijian economist working on sugar market reforms will study for a Masters
degree at Australian National University.
Female scientists took all three awards made to Indonesia for 2003. Ms Asda
Laining is working on farming of grouper fish. Demand for fish and shellfish
protein is increasing rapidly throughout the world. The Asia-Pacific region is a
major producer and consumer of these foods, and ACIAR is increasing its
investments in aquaculture research to support continued growth of these
industries.
Other Indonesian recipients are studying essential oil production from
melaleucas, and improving mixed crop-livestock farming in Sulawesi.
Mrs Gallus said the Fellowship Scheme was introduced in 1986, and renamed in
1994 in honor of Mr John Allwright, a long-serving ACIAR Board member. Mr
Allwright was also head of Australia's National Farmer's Federation, and had a
well-developed understanding of the interrelationship between agriculture and
world trade.
Forty John Allwright Fellows are currently studying in Australia - 14 women
and 26 men from 16 countries. The scheme has a high success rate, with 92 per
cent of awardees successfully completing their degree.
Media inquiries:
Craig Bildstien (office of Mrs Gallus) 0407 604437
Janet Lawrence (ACIAR) 02 6217 0537