A group of Mozambicans studying on Australia Awards Scholarships have met with their President, His Excellency Armando Guebuza, at a reception held at the University of Sydney on 13 March 2013.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Dr Michael Spence welcomed President Guebuza and 10 Mozambican students who had travelled from universities in Queensland, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide as well as NSW to be at the event.
There are currently 33 Australia Award students from Mozambique studying in Australia.
The President highlighted the benefits of the Australia Awards program as a vehicle for knowledge sharing and cultural exchange between Mozambique and Australia.
'Since independence we have worked closely together and Australia has shown that it understands our needs and objectives,' he said.
'As time passes we will see many more Mozambicans coming to Australia and many more Australians going to Mozambique to work.'
Amy Haddad, acting Assistant Director General of AusAID's Australia Awards and Volunteers Branch, reflected on the development contribution of Australia Awards.
'The Australian Government has been a long term partner, training more than 300 Mozambicans since 1990 in agriculture, health, natural resources management and public policy,' she said.
Students share their plans with the President
President Guebuza chatted with the scholars about their experiences of living and studying in Australia and how they plan to apply their skills and education to Mozambique's development.
Francisco Napica, who is studying a Master of Integrated Water Resources Management, looks forward to supporting Australia's $27 million investment in Mozambique's water sector. Before coming to Australia, Francisco worked with the Investment Fund for Water Management and Supply in Tete province, an area that in recent years has experienced large scale mining investment. On his return, he would like to focus on sustainable water management around mining activities, applying best practices from Australia that will also protect the interests of local populations.
Tiana Campos, who is studying a Master of Agribusiness, is keenly aware of the rich agricultural potential that Mozambique offers and aspires to set up her own agribusiness on her return. She will showcase and model best practices for others to learn from in helping rural communities improve subsistence farming practices to generate more income.
Scholarships in Mozambique are making a significant development contribution based on the findings of an independent outcomes evaluation completed in June 2012. The evaluation focused on alumni from the Mozambican health sector. It found that the level of knowledge transfer, mentoring, change/innovation, leadership and influence exerted by alumni was highly impressive. The work of the alumni, across the public, private and non-government sectors, had a direct impact on reducing the vulnerability of the poor through improved health outcomes.
Australia's official development assistance to Mozambique has nearly reached a combined total of $50 million for the financial years 2010–11, 2011–12 and 2012–13.