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Neeti Aryal, a lecturer at the Central Department of Sociology/Anthropology at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, was an ALA awardee from Intake 2008. She completed a Masters of Arts at Monash University, specialising in women’s studies. Her Master’s thesis explored motherhood experiences of Maoist women in armed conflict in Nepal. On completing her studies in August 2009, Neeti joined the Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies as faculty member where she designed a unit on gender, conflict and development. Shortly afterwards she started as a part time lecturer at the Central Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Tribhuvan University. Since August 2010, Neeti has been actively involved in the Alliance for Peace, Education and Development, Nepal; an organisation working with religious leaders of different faiths and traditions to promote child rights in Nepal. Since July 2011, Neeti has also been researching reproductive health and motherhood experiences of disabled women in Nepal. This research is supported by Harka Gurung Research Fellowship, and managed by the Social Inclusion Research Fund, SNV Netherlands. “Receiving an Australian Leadership Awards Scholarship was one of the biggest achievements of my life.” says Neeti. “The Australian degree has not only equipped me with updated and practically-oriented knowledge, but has also boosted my confidence in my chosen field. Since my return, I believe I have been utilizing my expertise and contributing to the development of my nation by creating awareness about issues related to women, conflict and activism.” |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 29 March 2012 09:17 |
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Once in a lifetime, a person has an opportunity to create change, and for themselves to be changed in the process. In his mind, Seranath Mahinda Werahara received such an opportunity through the AusAID funded Australia Awards for Development. AusAID has been providing Australian scholarships to Sri Lanka and other countries in South Asia for more than 50 years. These scholarships have supported development and progress by focusing on human resource development and they have respected Sri Lankans capacity to decide what’s best for them. Serenath found AusAID’s strategy to be not only a far-sighted and a planned approach to development, but also one which encouraged commitment, communication and collaborative thinking. The program enforced an implement and use what you learn mindset rather than simply showcasing qualifications without delivering real outcomes. For him, the scholarship was not a vehicle to escape Sri Lanka as is the case with many other scholarship programs, but a mechanism to return and contribute to Sri Lanka’s growth. Serenath is an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, stationed at Battaramulla. He has a Master’s degree in Environment and Resource Economics from the Australian National University, which he obtained in 2008-2009 as an Australian Development Scholar. “Applying for this Award was a crucial life decision for me” he said, “and the experience in Australia had a profound impact on my life”. Since his return to Sri Lanka, Serenath has lived his dream to implement a development action plan. He helped prepare the first Box Letter on the Green Economy in the Central Bank Report (2009), an experience that enabled him to engage further in advocacy and to publish some of his proposals. Serenath’s passion for the environment saw him invited to join the Sri Lankan team to submit a proposal for the evaluation of ecosystems which would help Sri Lanka meet International Environmental Conventions. His goal is to continue in his chosen field and contribute to what he calls “the splendid development of Sri Lanka”. He continues, “I hope others will follow me because my experience in Australia provided me with the opportunity to bring about real change and do great things for this country”.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 01 April 2012 05:40 |
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Jayananda Jayasundera was an Assistant Secretary in the Sri Lankan Public Service Commission when selected for an Australia Award for Development in 2010; the only applicant from the Commission selected for an AusAID funded Australia Award for Development in that year. He wanted to complete a Master of Public Policy to contribute better to his job and to Sri Lanka more broadly. He believed this would be best achieved through a program with a multinational focus, which he found in a course offered at the University of Melbourne. Jayananda faced challenges when he arrived in Australia. It was so different from his home country and although his family was with him, he missed Sri Lanka. Finding long term accommodation was difficult and he spent much time searching on-line and meeting real-estate agents. Fortunately he was supported in these early days by AusAID’s Liaison Officer and a mentor from the university who helped him adjust to student life in Melbourne. There were a couple of events in those early weeks that helped him and his family adjust. The first was an informal, social meeting with the university Pro-Vice Chancellor where he met other Australia Award scholars from China, the Middle East and Asia. Like him, they were also adjusting to the Australian culture and he no longer felt so alone. Then there was Australia Day, with fireworks and people celebrating Australia’s birthday just like the festivals back in Sri Lanka. Gradually he and his family became more adventurous. One memorable experience was visiting the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere, the Eureka Skydeck. On the Skydeck they experienced amazing views of the city of Melbourne, standing 88 floors above the ground, looking down on people on the footpath who were the size of ants. Within a couple of weeks of starting his IAP, Jayananda felt comfortable, both academically and personally. He believes his study experience in Australia will help his critical thinking and better prepare him to contribute to Sri Lanka’s development when he returns. He wants to make the most of his Australia Awards for Development. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 29 March 2012 09:17 |
Lasantha is a PhD student studying at the Australian National University. After graduating with a BSc, he began working as a Research Officer in the Coconut Research Institute (Sri Lanka). Lasantha realised, however, that for various reasons the Sri Lankan agricultural sector was in decline and he was drawn to the need to improve it. He joined the University of Peradeniya as a lecturer but still aspired to become a researcher in the agricultural sector and implement new strategies for developing the sector. It was this that drove him to apply for an Australia Leadership Award, under AusAID’s Australian Development Awards initiative. Through this scholarship he was accepted into his PhD program in Canberra. Although part way through his study program, Lasantha feels he is on the right track. His scholarship provides him with not only the opportunity to succeed academically but also in developing his leadership skills through exposure to proven leaders who can share their experiences and help him find a successful leadership style of his own. He is learning to develop skills to address the challenges that he might encounter in his career, and apply his knowledge to develop strategies needed improve the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. He believes that what he is learning is helping to build a strong foundation for his future success. He is delighted to have received this opportunity to attend an Australian university. He is using this opportunity to prepare for the challenges awaiting him in Sri Lanka on his return. He looks forward to the chance to implement the reintegration plan he designed before he left for Australia.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 29 March 2012 08:33 |
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