081212AustralianScholarshipProgram - Australian High Commission

Australian High Commission

Sri Lanka

Address: 21, Gregory's Road, Colombo 7 - Telephone: +94 (0) 11 2463200 - Fax: +94 (0) 11 2686453

Australian High Commission
Colombo
MEDIA RELEASE
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12 December 2008

Australian Scholarship Program

A number of Sri Lankan professionals have been awarded prestigious Australian Leadership Award (ALA) Scholarships which help strengthen regional leadership and build partnerships in the Asia-Pacific.

Acting High Commissioner for Australia, Ms Sophia McIntyre, today announced that six Sri Lankan professionals had been awarded the scholarships to gain PhDs and Masters Degrees in Australia.

ALAs support the development of emerging leaders in areas of high-priority for the Australian and partner Governments including Health and Disease, Public Policy, Climate Change, Urban planning and Economics.

“This is the third year ALAs have been awarded under the A$1.4 billion Australian Scholarships program that targets future leaders in the Asia-Pacific, including in Sri Lanka, for advanced study in Australia,” Ms McIntyre said.

In addition to the six ALAs, ten Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) and two Carnegie Mellon University Scholarships were awarded to Sri Lankan citizens to study in Australia in 2009.

The ADS program aims to strengthen human resource capacity in priority sectors of partner countries. The five men and five women selected for ADS awards are from the Ministries of Labour Relations and Manpower, Vocational & Technical Training, Plantation Industries, Disaster Management & Human Rights, Internal Administration, Social Services and Social Welfare, Agricultural Development & Agrarian Services, Southern Provincial Council and Plan Implementation.

The ADS awardees will study in the fields of International Studies, Project Management, Community Development, Environment, Public Administration, Education and Policy Studies. The two Carnegie Mellon University scholarships were awarded in Information Technology Management.

“AusAID Scholarships are an important pillar of Australia’s overseas development program and help to build links between people in the region and in Australia. They provide opportunities for Sri Lankan people who can play a leadership role to influence social and economic policy and help promote development in their own country,” Ms McIntyre said.

More information on AusAID Scholarships is available at www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar