Scholarship opportunities to study in Australia

16 April, 2007

The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr James Batley, has launched the 2008 intake of the Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Scholarships.

“ALA Scholarships is a prestigious program open to current and emerging leaders in the Asia-Pacific region” Batley told a gathering of representatives from the public, private and civil society sectors.

“An ALA Scholarship is a significant opportunity for high achievers in Fiji to extend their education, strengthen their leadership skills, build networks and develop strategies to address the development challenges we share.”

Part of the Australian Government’s $1.4 billion Australian Scholarships initiative, Australian Leadership Awards Scholarships provide high quality education to current and emerging leaders who have the potential to influence social and economic policy reforms and development outcomes, both in their own countries and in the region. The ALAs are managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and provide funding for study at Masters and Doctorate levels in Australia.

Up to150 Scholarships are being offered for students from countries within the Asia-Pacific region to study at Australian universities in 2008. Scholars will be selected from a highly competitive regional pool on the basis of demonstrated or potential leadership qualities and academic achievement. Eight scholars were selected from Fiji in 2007.

Awards are open for all fields of study, however study programs that relate to the priority themes of shared regional interest – international trade, pandemics, security and climate change (including clean energy) – are encouraged.

As well as providing higher education degrees, ALA Scholarships also offer scholars the opportunity to participate in a unique Leadership Development Program.

Applications for 2008 ALA Scholarships will be accepted from 1 May and close on 31 July 2007.

For further information go to www.australianscholarships.gov.au