Australia offers 150 scholarship grants for RP, Asia-Pacific

MANILA, Philippines - The Australian government announced the launched of the 2009 Australian Leadership Awards Scholarships Program which is open to 150 students from across the Asia-Pacific region including the Philippines. “An ALA Scholarship is a significant opportunity for high achievers in the Philippines to extend their education, strengthen their leadership skills, build networks and develop strategies to address the development challenges we share," Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said. Smith said the prestigious program, which is open to current and emerging leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, will provide funding for study at Masters and Doctorate levels in Australia. The ALA Scholarship is one of the Australian Government Scholarship programs managed by the Australian Agency for International Development. AusAID spends over $A133 million annually on scholarship programs. The AusAID said scholars will be selected from a highly competitive regional pool on the basis of demonstrated leadership qualities and academic achievement. Students who will be given scholarship grants will study in Australian universities in 2009. “Awards are open for all fields of study however study programs that relate to the priority themes of shared regional interest – international trade, pandemics, security and climate change including clean energy – are encouraged," the AusAID said. Applications for 2009 ALA Scholarships will close on June 30, 2008. Interested applicants may visit the website - http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm - for more information. - PinoyPress