Australia supports development of Filipino leaders  

  Representatives of the Queensland University of Technology, Mr Colin Melvin and Mr Nelson Salangsang (seated 4th and 5th from right respectively), with the 20 regional directors and agency heads from the Philippines Department of Science and Technology who were awarded Australian Leadership Awards – Fellowships. The DOST group left for Australia in August for a five-week Trainers’ Training on Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights at the Queensland University of Technology.

The Australian Government has provided about Php18 million (A$453 000) to eight Australian organisations for short-term training programmes of 27 Filipino leaders under the Australian Leadership Awards – Fellowships.

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is providing the training grants under the third selection round for 2008 of the Australian Leadership Awards – Fellowships.

The 27 Filipino Fellows, set to leave for Australia between June 2008 and July 2009, will undertake short-term study, research, and professional attachment programmes with Australian universities, non-government organisations, and research and planning bodies.

The Australian Leadership Awards, comprised of Scholarships and Fellowships, is a regional program that aims to develop leadership and build partnerships and linkages with the Asia-Pacific. The awards are intended for current leaders or those who have the potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes, both in their own countries and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said, “The Australian Leadership Awards will help strengthen the cadre of leaders and professionals in the Philippines that are advancing regional reform, development and governance. It will also increase our people-to-people links and build common perspectives and understandings between the Philippines and Australia.”

The Fellowships, which complement the longer term Australian Leadership Awards – Scholarships, provide opportunities to senior officials and mid-career professionals who cannot leave their positions for extended periods.

“Fellowships are available across a broad range of fields to enable current and aspiring leaders from the Asia-Pacific, including the Philippines, to respond to ever-changing development priorities, address key issues and challenges in their regions, and to explore common policy issues,” Mr Smith said.

Twenty of the 27 Filipino Fellows are regional directors and agency heads from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). They left for Australia early August for a five-week Trainers’ Training on Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights at the Queensland University of Technology.

The training program will enable the DOST to assist small and medium enterprises in addressing intellectual property rights-related trade issues, particularly on intellectual property commercialisation and its implications on cross-country trade.

The other Filipino Fellows will undertake further training in the fields of education, environment, climate change, health, security, and disability.
Filipino individuals and organisations (such as universities, corporations and government agencies) could participate in the Fellowships Program through nomination and sponsorship by an Australian counterpart organisation. For further information on Australian Government scholarship opportunities, including the Australian Leadership Awards – Fellowships and Scholarships, visit the following websites: http://www.australianscholarships.gov.au and www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar.