Under the Australia Awards initiative, Australia offers several scholarships, fellowships and leadership training programs. In South Asia, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) administers two long-term Development Awards - Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) and Australia Leadership Awards (ALA) Scholarships - on behalf of the Government of Australia.

Australian Development Awards in South Asia encourage economic growth and prosperity in the South Asia region by improving the capacity of organisations. This is achieved by motivated individuals applying their expert knowledge and skills to planned change programs in their countries.

Australian Development Awards in South Asia operate in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan.

The Australian Development Scholarships (ADS)

These scholarship awards provide opportunities for individuals to access full time undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Australia. The areas of study are targeted to address priority human resource development needs of South Asian countries, in line with Australia's bilateral aid program.

The Australian Leadership Awards (ALA)

These awards aim to develop leadership and build partnerships and linkages in the Asia-Pacific region. They are intended for existing leaders and those with the potential to become leaders. They target motivated individuals who, through their learning, can influence social and economic reform and development outcomes, both in their own countries and the South Asia region.

For more information visit: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/

Background

What is AusAID?

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is an administratively autonomous agency within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. AusAID assists developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, in line with Australia's national interests. AusAID manages the implementation of Australia's overseas aid program.

The South Asia Region

The Australian Government and Australians generally, are interested in the continuing development of countries in South Asia. Australia views them as friends and neighbours and wants to support their development and sustain broad regional growth.

With over 400 million people living in poverty in the region, Australia recognises that South Asia faces development challenges. At this time, the countries of South Asia have made only moderate progress towards achieving targets of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) developed and agreed by the United Nations. The MDG, aim to:

• eradicate extreme hunger and hunger;
• achieve universal primary education;
• promote gender equality and empower women;
• reduce child mortality;
• improve maternal health;
• combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
• ensure environmental sustainability; and
• develop a global partnership for development.

By working with partner governments in South Asia to develop effective poverty reduction strategies, Australia is contributing to the growth and stability essential to achieving the MDG.

AusAID Development Assistance to South Asia

Australia has been a development partner with countries in South Asia since the 1950s, as part of international efforts to promote regional growth and development. Australia works closely with development partners and the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to fund targeted support, guided by the South Asia Regional Framework. AusAID emphasises improved aid effectiveness to support human resource development.

AusAID scholarships in South Asia represent a significant proportion of the Australian Government’s aid support to the region. At present, ADS are offered in four of the six South Asian countries while ALA Scholarships are offered in all countries.

Goals & Objectives

The goal of Australian Development Awards in South Asia is to have awardees contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in South Asia.

The main objective of Australian Development Awards is to improve capacity in priority fields, disciplines and organisations in South Asia by increased access to higher professional and technical knowledge through education. Through the education experience awardees develop linkages with individuals and institutions in the region and Australia.

Expected Core Outcomes of the Australian Development Awards initiative in South Asia

Australian Development Awards in South Asia aim to achieve the following outcomes:

• awardees develop and demonstrate high level professional and technical skills relevant to their area of expertise;
• awardees return to their home countries and successfully reintegrate into the workforce;
• awardees exercise good leadership, apply new skills and nurture partnerships with institutions in the region and Australia;
• awardees apply their skills to contribute to improving capacity in their organisations and institutions;
• active and effective Australian scholarships alumni associations operate in South Asia.