28 September 2009
Lao students to study in Australia
Forty Lao nationals will now have an opportunity to study in Australia after they were awarded an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) this week.
The Australian Government has been providing scholarships for tertiary education in Australia for more than 20 years to assist Lao PDR to meet its goals in education, economic and social development and human resource needs.
Since the inception of the Australian Scholarships Program more than 850 awardees have successfully gained tertiary qualifications in Australia and returned to apply their new skills in Lao PDR.
This year 20 scholarships were given to Lao Government employees and 20 scholarships awarded in the open category.
Eight of the awardees achieved the required academic scores which will enable them to commence study in Australia in July 2010. The remaining awardees will undertake a one-year preparation course at Vientiane College before commencing study in Australia in January 2011.
At the congratulatory ceremony held at Vientiane College on Monday 28 September, Mr Phillip Molloy, Chargé d’Affaires, Australian Embassy said “ADS scholars are particularly valued for their high level of analytical and critical thinking skills. Many former Lao scholars are now in senior decision making positions in government, international organisations and the private sector and they make a real difference to driving change and influencing development outcomes in Lao PDR.”
Mr Molloy wished all awardees good luck with their studies and urged the new ADS awardees to embrace the challenges ahead as they commence their studies in Australia.
Media contacts: Ms. Manithda Sithimolada
Senior Program Officer
AusAID, Australian Embassy
Tel: 353800 Ext. 226