Type, Level and Number of Scholarships
The Australian Development Scholarships are available to Sri Lankan government employees for postgraduate studies for Masters level. For the intake commencing in 2012, it is estimated that the total number of ADS for Sri Lanka will be around 18 awards.
Scholarships are offered for the minimum period in which an individual can be expected to complete the academic program. All Masters programs will have a maximum duration of 2 years. The majority of awards are available to support Masters by coursework. A small number of awards will be available for Masters with a research component (minor thesis).
Sri Lankan citizens are eligible to apply for an Australian Leadership Awards Scholarship. Up to 200 ALAS will be available across all eligible countries on an annual basis, for high achievers wishing to undertake postgraduate study at an Australian higher education institution.
Selection for an ALAS is highly competitive. It is based on the applicant’s professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, commitment to and potential impact on development outcomes for their country and region.
ALA Scholarships target those whose chosen field of study equips them to play a significant role in addressing, researching or combating development challenges in their country and/or region. Awardees will be provided with additional opportunities to enhance their leadership capacity and extend their professional networks.
Priority Sectors
Priority sectors for Australian Development Scholarships are agreed annually between the governments of Sri Lanka and Australia. For the intake commencing 2012, priority sectors for Sri Lanka are Governance, Education, Environment and Health.
• ADS in the governance sector support improvements in public financial management, economics and public sector management.
• ADS in the education sector are open to candidates working in education policy and management. Candidates with demonstrated capacity to implement Government policy on improving primary and secondary education are encouraged to apply.
• ADS in the environment sector are open to candidates working on natural resource management.
• ADS in the health sector are open to candidates working in public health management. Candidates with demonstrated capacity to implement Government policy on reducing malnutrition are encouraged to apply. (Medical degrees will not be considered).
Priority themes for Australian Leadership Awards Scholarships are Disability, Economic Growth. Education, Environment, Food Security, Gender, Governance, Health, Human Rights, Infrastructure, Regional Stability, Rural Development, Water and Sanitation.
Please visit ALA Scholarships website at www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/ala.cfm or contact the South Asia Scholarships Program (SASP) Office in Colombo for further details on priority themes.
The Application Process
In all cases the application process is based on the principles of transparency and merit. Specific information on the application process can be obtained from www.southasiascholarship.org
Required Documentation
The following documentation must be submitted by all applicants at the time of application. Failure to provide these documents at the time of application will result in the applicant being deemed ineligible.
• Proof of citizenship i.e. birth certificate, passport (if available), national ID
• Tertiary degree certificates (certified copies) and copies of any additional awards.
• Academic grades (certified copies). Once selected candidates will be asked to submit academic transcripts.
• IELTS /TOEFL certificates valid at the time of application, and remaining valid until the proposed start date of the nominated course.
In addition:
• Applicants seeking to undertake a doctoral degree or Masters with a research component must provide a research outline and academic referee reports.
• ADS applicants must complete the External Resources Department (ERD) Form 2 and obtain ERD endorsement. The completed Form 2 must be submitted at time of application. To be granted ERD endorsement, candidates must first obtain approval from their respective Ministry Secretary.
Special Conditions
Applicants for any scholarship must:
> be a citizen of Sri Lanka;
> be resident in Sri Lanka or somewhere other than Australia;
> not have applied for permanent residency in Australia or New Zealand;
> have completed a tertiary level qualification at least equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree;
> not already be following a course of study at a university abroad;
> must not have received a long term scholarship in the past two years; and
> have a minimum Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
OR
> have a TOEFL paper-based test score of at least 580, or a TOEFL computer-based test score of at least 237, or a TOEFL internet-based score of at least 92.
In addition, an applicant for an ADS scholarship must:
> be less than 45 years of age on 1 January of the year of application;
> have a first degree with preferably a second class pass from a Sri Lankan or recognised foreign university;
> be confirmed in the Sri Lankan government service;
> have at least two years’ work experience in the Sri Lankan public sector in a field relevant to the proposed course of study; and
> not have previously received any Sri Lankan or overseas government funded award for long term academic studies in a foreign country.
It is a pre-condition of accepting any Development Awards that scholarship holders return to their home country to take up a position that utilises their skills for a minimum period of two years. Scholarships must be taken in the year of offer and cannot be transferred to the next academic year.
Contact Information
Further information, including the dates for the next round of applications, is available from:
South Asia Scholarship Program (SASP) Coffey International Development – Liaison Office:
43/28 Nugagaha Place,Piliyandala Road, Maharagama
Telephone + 94 1150 18938 Mobile: +077 363 8958 & +077 3939038
www.southasiascholarship.org OR
Australian High Commission
21 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7,
Sri Lanka
website: www.srilanka.embassy.gov.au