The Australian government has awarded 59 Filipinos with Australia Awards scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in Australia by January 2024, as announced by its embassy in the Philippines. A group of 54 students will pursue master's programs in Australia's top universities in domains such as agriculture, aquatic and natural resources management, digital economy and cybersecurity, education, governance and public policy, trade, and economics.
Five individuals will be pursuing doctoral degrees as fellows of the John Allwright Fellowship (JAF) Philippines. This is a pilot graduate fellowship program funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the Department of Science and Technology and regulated by Australia Awards. Before departure, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PSM, FCPA (Australia) acknowledged the scholars' influential role in bolstering Australia-Philippines relations and their contribution to the country's development. "Australian Awards has played a crucial role in strengthening the partnership between Australia and the Philippines. As scholars, you serve as prominent examples of the strong and enduring people-to-people connections between two nations. Your education and training in Australia will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in the Philippines when you return", quoted Yu.
In September this year, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and the Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., established a Strategic Partnership between their respective countries. The partnership aims to enhance educational ties through the Australia Awards program, which will encourage people-to-people relations between the two nations. Since 2005, more than 1,500 outstanding Filipinos have been awarded Australian Government scholarships to study in Australia. These new scholars will be joining the 92 Filipino scholars who are already on scholarships in Australia at present. Upon completion of their studies, the Australia Awards scholars will become members of the vibrant Australia Global Alumni community in the Philippines.
