Australian schols to help Lankan students

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

COLOMBO: The Australian Scholarship initiative demonstrates the high value that Australia places on building relationship with Sri Lanka and other countries in the region, based on mutual understanding, respect and people to people linkages formed by education, Australian High Commissioner Dr. Greg French said.

Addressing a press briefing held at JAIC Hilton, Colombo, yesterday said this scholarship programme has a long and distinguished history.

He said that Australian scholarship is a $1.4 billion Australian Government initiative to provide over 19,000 scholarships in the Asia Pacific region between 2006-2010.

This programme will bring under one banner three major Australian scholarship programmes - Australian Leadership Award (ALA), Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) and the Endeavour Programme. These programmes are managed by AusAID and Australia’s Department of Education, Science and Training.

ALA focuses on developing current and future leaders in business, education and government within the Asia-Pacific region, and providing support for post graduate study in Australia.

ADS provides opportunities for Sri Lankan Government employees to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate study in Australia.

The Endeavour Programme comprises a mix of postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational and technical education courses and research and professional development awards.

About 300 Sri Lankans study in Australia. Speaking about their experiences in Australia, some past scholarship recipients said both Australian and International students receive equal treatment in Australian educational institutions.