A total of 49 high-achieving Lao nationals received Australia Awards Scholarships at a ceremony held in Vientiane on Tuesday prior to beginning studies in Australia next year.
They join a prestigious group of over 1,200 Lao citizens who have studied in Australia under the Australia Awards programme and returned to Laos with world-class tertiary qualifications.
The scholarship awards ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Mr Lytou Bouapao, Head of the Australian Federal Parliament delegation to Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Australian Ambassador to Laos Mr John Williams, and other guests.
Speaking at the event, Mr Lytou said “Providing scholarships to Lao students and government officials to study in Australia is a very big and meaningful contribution of the Australian government in building capacity for Laos, particularly in terms of human resource development. Laos needs qualified official researchers in order to prepare the country for integration into the Asean Economic Community.”
Dr Southcott said the Australia Awards Scholarships were an important part of Australia’s development cooperation programme in Laos, to develop human resources in education, rural development, trade and natural resource management.
“For over 50 years, Australia has supported Laos’ best and brightest to study at Australia’s world class universities. Many of these people now occupy important positions in Laos and are helping to shape the country’s future,” Dr Southcott said.
He said that through study and research, these 49 high-achieving individuals would develop the skills and knowledge to drive change in Laos, and help build enduring people-to-people links with Australia.
“You have already demonstrated academic excellence, and undergone a highly competitive and rigorous selection process to be chosen for these prestigious awards,” Dr Southcott told the awardees.
“In Australia, you will have the chance to further develop your leadership qualities and academic skills, and develop potentially invaluable professional network s in your chosen fields,” he said.
The Australia Awards Scholarships in Laos are managed on behalf of the Australian government by the Laos Australia Institute, in partnership with Vientiane College.
Further information about Australia Awards can be found at www.australiaawards.gov.au or www.laosaustraliainstitute.org.
Source: Vientianetimes.org.la
