63 NEW FILIPINO SCHOLARS TO STUDY IN AUSTRALIA
Sixty three Filipino professionals left for Australia in January to pursue post-graduate studies at Australian universities, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Rod Smith said today.
Fifty eight of these professionals received Australian Development Scholarships through the long-term training program of the Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Facility. Five were recipients of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)-Carnegie Mellon University Scholarship.
Ambassador Smith said the scholars were key players in improving governance in their respective organisations and would contribute to promoting development in the Philippines and fostering enduring linkages between Australia and the Philippines.
“Education and training play a very important role in strengthening ties between Australia and the Philippines. These scholarships will not only strengthen the cadre of Filipino leaders and professionals who are advancing regional reform, development and governance but, more importantly, enhance our people-to-people links through building common perspectives and understanding,” Ambassador Smith said.
The Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Facility is a five-year, Php2.3 billion (A$60 million) initiative of the Australian Government through AusAID which assists national and local government agencies, academic institutions and private organisations to address key organisational needs and enable them to provide better services.
About 80 Filipino professionals are selected each year from these partner agencies and organisations to pursue post-graduate studies in various fields including human resource management, financial management, public administration, public policy, peace and conflict studies, and educational leadership.
“Australia regards scholarships as an important part of its commitment to Philippine and regional education excellence,” Ambassador Smith said.
Since 1990, the Australian Government has provided more than 2000 scholarships for Filipinos. The Philippines is currently ranked fourth among the major recipients of Australian Government scholarships in the Asia–Pacific region.
For more information on Australian Scholarships, visit www.australianscholarships.gov.au .