Australia announces new scholarship programme

The programme is aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, knowledge and innovation and building partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region.

It will offer exceptional educational opportunities in Australia to those who demonstrate the capacity to influence policy reforms and development outcomes in the region.

Australian High Commissioner Douglas Foskett said, "The Australian Leadership Awards will provide opportunities for Asia-Pacific countries and Australia to build people-to-people linkages."

He said the programme opens an exciting new arena of development assistance with an aim to build human resource capacities of 34 countries from Asia-Pacific, including Bangladesh.

Over the next five years, the programme will bring approximately 3,200 students and fellows to study in Australia. The Awards will build capacity in areas of shared interest such as economic management, trade policy, pandemics, security and clean energy.

The Australian Leadership Awards programme is part of a broader initiative to double the number of educational scholarships Australia offers in the Asia-Pacific region.