Five Solomon Islanders awarded Australian Leadership Award Scholarships for 2007

At least five Solomon Islanders are awarded the prestigous Australian Leadership Award(ALA) Scholarships to commence postgraduate studies in Australia this year.

It is understood that from the five Solomon Islands recipients of the Australian Leadership Award 2007 offer, one (named) will undertake doctoral studies at the James Cook University; whilst four others (named) will undertake respective master studies at the Adelaide University, Univesity of Queensland, University of South Australia, and the University of Tasmania.

The Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) is a new award under which the Australian Government offers scholarships and fellowships for current and future leaders from the Asia-Pacific Region. They are awarded to professionals who are already leaders or have a potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes, both in their own countries and in the Asia and Pacific region.

Australian Leadership Awards provide scholarships for longer-term postgraduate study at masters or doctoral level and fellowships for short-term research, study or professional attachments. They will bring around 3200 scholars and fellows in the five years from 2006-2011 to study in Australia.

Objectives of the Australian Leadership Awards include to develop a cadre of leaders advancing regional reform, development and governance; increase exchange of knowledge and information within the region; build common purpose and understanding between Australian and the region; build capacity to address priority regional issues; build effective networks between Australia and the region; and to demonstrate the benefits of Australian education through the provision of high quality education.

There were about 30 doctoral and 150 masters degree scholarships offered for study commencing in Australian universities in 2007.