Media Releases

Media Release
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Alexander Downer

2 May 2006

Australia Doubles Number of Scholarships to the Asia-Pacific Region (Indonesia Specific)

I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will double the number of educatinal scholarships it offers in the Asia-Pacific region. The new program, to be called Australian Scholarships, will provide nearly A$1.4 billion in funding over five years for more than 19,000 scholarships.

The initiative was announced in this week White Paper on Australia's overseas aid program - Australian Aid: Promoting Growth and Stability. The White Paper will direct the delivery of Australia's aid over the next 10 years. By reaching out to the Asia-Pacific region the Australian Government will aim to help millions of people overcome the scourge of poverty and live in peace and prosperity.

We will seek to provide a brighter future for people through expanded assistance in education and health. A major focus will be getting more children into school for longer and for a better quality education. Through incentives we will encourage countries to improve government performance and will actively support the development of local leaders.

Australian Scholarships will bring together Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), managed by Australia's International Aid Agency (AusAID), and Endevour scholarships, administerred by the Departement of Ecducation, Science, and Training (DEST). And we will launch a new type of scholarship, Australian Leadership Awards, to help future leaders of our partner countries develop and maintain links with Australia.

Scholarships have a proven record in promoting political and economic reform and enabling regional leaders to develop enduring connections with Australia.

From May 2006, Australia will provide 9,200 scholarships through the AusAID including the new scholarship from Australia Leadership Awards and up to 9,700 scholarships under DEST in the Asia-Pacific region.

For further information, please contact:

For further information on the scholarships program, please visit: www.australianscholarships.gov.au or www.ausaid.gov.au