MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that 179 scholars from 24 countries across the Asia Pacific region have been selected in the inaugural round of the Australian Leadership Awards (ALAs).
The ALAs are a new initiative under the A$1.4 billion Australian Scholarships scheme
to support the development of future leaders who will help influence social and economic policy reform and promote development outcomes in their own countries.
Over the next five years Australia will double to 19,000 the number of educational scholarships and fellowships it offers throughout the region including more than 3,000 ALAs.
As part of the Government's enhanced support for this initiative, 26 of Vietnam's highest achieving professionals have been awarded a prestigious ALA, enabling them to gain postgraduate qualifications in their areas of expertise.
Sixteen women and 10 men who have been selected for further study as ALA recipients at Australian universities in the fields of public health, commerce, information technology, banking, finance and trade.
In addition, 17 Vietnamese students, researchers and professionals have been awarded Endeavour Scholarships under the Australian Scholarships initiative. The program enables researchers to undertake postgraduate and vocational education and in addition, provides for executive and professional development.
The new awards are in addition to the 150 Australian Development Scholarships granted to Vietnam each year. More than 2000 Vietnamese students have been awarded scholarships through Australia's international aid agency, AusAID since 1992.
Australian alumni, such as Deputy Prime Minister Dr Pham Gia Khiem have returned to Vietnam to take up key positions within government, or in its business and academic sectors.
The 26 scholars selected from around Vietnam will join 153 other professionals from the Asia-Pacific in the first intake of ALA awardees.
Media contact:
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590 (Canberra)
Tony Parkinson (Mr Downer's Office) + 61 2 6277 7500