Australian High Commission
MEDIA RELEASE
23 December 2014
Australian High Commissioner congratulates Australia Awards recipients
The Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Robyn Mudie, hosted a reception in Male’ on 22 December to congratulate 33 Maldivians who have been offered Australia Awards to study at Australian universities in 2015.
“Australia has been a long term partner in supporting Maldivians to help achieve the national development goals of the Maldives”, said Ms Mudie.
The 33 Australia Awards are valued at approximately AUD 6 million, representing a significant component of Australia’s development assistance program with the Maldives.
The Australian Government invests in education as a force for political and economic reform and good governance.
“The Australia Awards provide new opportunities to Maldivians who have the potential to contribute to the future development of their country. We hope that those who study in Australia will come back empowered to pursue their goals and become leaders of the future. One of the key goals of the Australian aid program is to foster women’s leadership, so I am particularly pleased that 19 of this year’s Awardees are women,” said Ms Mudie.
The Chief Guest at the reception was the Honourable Dr. Aishath Shiham, Minister of Education, who also studied in Australia on an Australian Government scholarship.
Approximately 100 people also attended the event, including members of the Maldives Australia Alumni, which is an association providing an opportunity for Awardees to network and interact after they return from studies in Australia.
The 33 Australia Awardees will undertake degrees at Australian universities in education, health, environment, governance and public administration. Twenty public and private sector professionals will study for postgraduate degrees and thirteen young Maldivians will complete undergraduate degrees.
The next round of Australia Awards Scholarships will be open for applications from 1 February 2015 until 30 April 2015. Please visit the Australia Awards website www.australiaawards.gov.au or www.australiaawardsmaldives.org for further information.