TEN FILIPINOS AWARDED 2009 AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Rod Smith has announced that 10 Filipinos have been awarded the prestigious Australian Leadership Award (ALA) Scholarships to further their studies in 2009.
“These 10 outstanding Filipinos have been identified for their potential to assume leadership roles which can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in the Philippines and the region,” Ambassador Smith said.
Australian Ambassador Rod Smith and AusAID Minister Counsellor Titon Mitra (back row, 3rd & 2nd from right) with the 10 Filipinos awarded Australian Leadership Award Scholarships for 2009.
“These scholars are to be congratulated on winning this elite award which will equip them to serve as leaders in their country and the region. The awards demonstrate Australia’s commitment to supporting development in the Philippines and the region, and to promoting greater mutual understanding and cooperation in matters of shared critical concern.”
The ALA Scholarships is one of five Australian Government scholarship programs managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Australia provides more than A$133 million worth of scholarships annually throughout the world.
The ALA Scholarships aim to foster leadership, build partnerships and linkages and address issues of priority that affect people across the Asia-Pacific Region. The 10 successful Filipinos have been selected from hundreds of applicants competing for 200 ALA Scholarships available in the region in 2009.
The recipients will undertake postgraduate studies at Australian universities in fields including environmental and natural resource management, international trade, international law, justice and law enforcement, and disease pandemics. They will also participate in a Leadership Development Program which will strengthen their leadership skills, establish regional networks and enhance their understanding of regional development challenges.
The group includes an environmentalist interested in developing and promoting catchment management and sustainability of water resources; a lawyer aiming to enhance legal expertise on international trade and investments, energy and natural resources; an educator planning to explore ‘payments for environmental services’ to improve efficiency of natural resource management; and a researcher aiming to improve techniques on plant conservation to contribute to sustainable land use.
The recipients are: Alice Acejas (PhD Sociology and Anthropology - Univ of Newcastle); Jemelyn Grace Baldisimo (Masters in Environment - Univ of Melbourne); Ember Catherine Corpuz (Masters in Environmental Management - Flinders Univ); Aurelia Luzviminda Gomez (PhD, Natural Resource Management - Charles Darwin Univ); Marie Michelle Leonardo (Masters in Environmental Management and Development - ANU); Virgilio Linis (Masters in Environmental Management and Development - ANU); Lemuel Lopez (Master of International Law / Master of Diplomacy - ANU); Marc Jim Mariano (Masters in Economics - Univ of New England); Raymond Regalia (PhD Biotechnology - UNSW); Ricardo Sunga III (Master of Law - UNSW).
Further information about AusAID scholarships can be found at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/default.cfm