High achieving Pacific scholars ready to embark on Australian work placements


2011 PMPA Awardees in the Prime Minister's
Courtyard, Parliament House, Canberra

December 2011

Thirty Pacific scholars who are the recipients of a prestigious Federal Government scholarship were honoured at an awards ceremony in Canberra earlier this month.

The high- achieving scholars have been awarded a Prime Minister’s Pacific-Australia Award (PMPA Award), which are part of the Australia Awards an Australian Government initiative designed to promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia, our neighbours and the global community.

Provided by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the PMPA Awards provide high-achieving recipients of Australian Development Scholarships and Australian Leadership Awards from the Pacific, East Timor and Papua New Guinea with an opportunity to undertake a work placement at an Australian organisation as well as participate in leadership development activities.

The ceremony at Parliament House provided the awardees from PNG, Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu the chance to be recognised for their achievement and to meet with special guests including Australia’s Prime Minister Hon Julia Gillard MP and Senator the Hon Chris Evans, Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations.

All awardees are recipients of an Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) or Australian Leadership Award Scholarship (ALAS) and have been studying at an Australian university.

PMPA Awards Program Manager Rachel Ingwersen from AusAID says she is confident this year’s awardees will have a rewarding and fulfilling experience on their work placements.

“The awardees are an inspiring and motivated group of scholars whom are clearly motivated to implement positive change in their home countries following their work placements,” Ms Ingwersen says.

“The award ceremony was a great opportunity for the awardees to network with one another and be recognised for their commitment and hard work throughout their studies.”

The PMPA Awards are managed by Austraining International. For more information visit www.pmpa.austraining.com.au