A new batch of high-achieving Filipinos will be starting their postgraduate studies in Australia by January 2024 under the Australia Awards.
The contingent includes 54 scholars who will be undertaking master's programs in Australia's world-class universities. Five individuals will be pursuing doctoral degrees as fellows of the John Allwright Fellowship Philippines, a pilot graduate fellowship program jointly funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the Department of Science and Technology, and administered by Australia Awards.
Upon their return to the Philippines, Filipino scholars are expected to implement their re-entry action plan. REAPs enable scholars to apply their learnings in Australia to meaningful projects that will contribute to the development of their respective organisations or communities.
Among the areas of study that will be pursued by this batch of scholars are agriculture, aquatic and natural resources management; digital economy and cybersecurity; education; governance and public policy; infrastructure and smart cities; law and justice; maritime studies; and trade and economics.
In September 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr forged a Strategic Partnership between Australia and the Philippines that includes boosting educational links, such as through Australia Awards, to foster invaluable people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Since 2005, over 1,500 exemplary Filipinos have studied in Australia on Australian Government scholarships. The new batch of scholars will join the 92 Filipino scholars who are currently on scholarship in Australia. At the conclusion of their studies, Australia Awards scholars will join the dynamic Australia Global Alumni community in the Philippines.