AUSTRALIAN SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED FOR TIMORESE

Melissa Parke, Minister for International Development

AUSTRALIAN SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED FOR TIMORESE

4 August 2013

Minister for International Development, Melissa Parke, will announce a new Australia Awards Timor-Leste Program to provide Timorese women and men with opportunities to study, research and undertake professional development opportunities at Australian institutions.

Minister Parke said the investment of $47 million to be provided over 5 years from 2014 will establish around 200 new in-country scholarships for Timorese citizens to study at tertiary institutions in Timor-Leste.

“The new Australia Awards Timor-Leste Program is particularly exciting because by offering in-country scholarships we are able to expand the pool of recipients to those who are disadvantaged or not otherwise able to access tertiary education opportunities,” Minister Parke said.

“During my visit to Timor Leste, I will meet several high achieving Timorese who will travel to Australia next year to commence study under the Australia Awards. These Awards allow these Timorese to acquire new skills and knowledge that will position them to contribute to the development of Timor-Leste.”

This year’s scholarships were keenly sought, with over 1,200 Expressions of Interest received and 362 eligible applications submitted. Men and women were equally successful with 12 out of 13 Districts represented, some for the first time.

“Scholars will be undertaking courses in priority areas jointly identified by the Timorese and Australian Governments. They represent a diverse range of fields such as Education, Health, Environmental Science and Human Resource Management,” Minister Parke said.

“Many Scholars come to Australia to learn so that they can take their knowledge to benefit their communities. Many have become senior officials, eminent academics or heads of NGOs. Several have become ministers in Timor-Leste’s government and are using the skills they acquired in Australia to benefit the whole country.”

Australia Awards alumni currently holding leadership positions in the Government of Timor-Leste include: Dr. Dionisio Babo, Minister of Justice; Mr Pedro da Silva Lay, Minister of Transport and Communication; Mrs Dulce de Jesus Soares, Vice Minister for Preschool and Basic Education; and Mr Marcos da Cruz, Vice Minister for Agriculture and Forestry.

For further information about Australia Awards and the recently formed Timor-Leste alumni network, please contact the Australia Awards Timor-Leste office on 332 2621 or 7732 3768, or at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australia-awards

Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government. Australia Awards not only develop skills and knowledge but also build enduring people-to-people links between Australia, our regional neighbours and the broader international community.

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Media Contact: Rachel Maycock