Australia announces new scholarship scheme
Rafik JALALDEEN
COLOMBO: The Australian High Commissioner, Dr. Greg French,
yesterday announced that from July 2006, the Australian Government will
double the number of scholarships to the Asia-Pacific region.
A new $1.4 billion Australia dollars scheme called Australian
Scholarships will provide over 19,000 scholarship over the next five
years for education cooperation in the Asia and Pacific.
Leaders in the region will be also targeted to study in Australia
through a new Australian Leadership Awards scheme.
'The newly announced Australian Scholarship programme builds on
Australia's reputation as a provider of high quality education for
international students', the High Commissioner stated.
'This new scholarship programme revives the spirit of the Colombo
Plan and demonstrates the importance that Australia attaches to
education for long-term development in our region.
'An important part of the new programme is the Australian Leadership
Awards. This will target future leaders in the Asia-Pacific, including
in Sri Lanka, for advanced study in Australia.
'Importantly, it will build links between people who can play a
leadership role to influence social and economic policy and help promote
development', the High Commissioner said.
Australian Leadership Awards provide scholarships for longer-term
post-graduate study at masters or doctoral level and fellowships for
short-term research, study or professional attachments. They will bring
around 3200 scholars and fellows in the five years from 2006-2011 to
study in Australia.
The Awards will be available to present and future leaders and
personnel in corporate, academic, non-government as well as government
services. |