New Australia Awards Africa scholars equipped with knowledge before they mobilise to Australia 

Thirty-nine scholars from 14 African countries convened in Pretoria, South Africa, on 13 and 14 November 2023, for the 2024 intake Pre-Departure Briefing for the Australia Awards Africa Program. The purpose of this workshop was to equip scholars for their scholarship journey in Australia and to introduce them to what they should expect from Australian academic and social life. 

Day one commenced with welcome remarks from Madeleine Pillans, Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Pretoria. Scholars acquainted themselves with peers, sharing insights into their chosen courses, and discussing their universities. Workshop discussions spanned from travel arrangements and cultural adaptation, and the contractual obligations associated with the scholarship. 

Jo Simpson, Palladium’s Director of Higher Education, covered the Indigenous Australian custom of ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ sessions. This provided valuable insights into respecting Indigenous Australian land and its custodians, offering a glimpse into some of the unique cultural practices they will encounter in Australia. This was the scholars’ first exposure to this custom that has become common to most public events in Australia.  

The second day delved deeper into the program’s goal and its end of program outcomes. Staff briefed the scholars on crafting effective reintegration action plans pivotal to realising the program’s outcomes. Emphasis was made on the importance of networks in achieving their individual and program goals. Towards the end of the workshop, program staff paired the scholars with alumni mentors to help prepare them for their Australia Awards journey and to guide them throughout their scholarship in Australia. Australia Awards trained the 20 alumni mentors at an Alumni Mentoring Skills Workshop that followed the Pre-Departure Briefing. 

Following the close of the Pre-departure Briefing workshop, HE Ms Tegan Brink, Australian High Commissioner to South Africa, hosted an evening reception where she congratulated all the scholars on their awards and wished them the best of experiences in Australia. During the reception, she also conferred two supplementary awards – the Graeme Wilson Leadership Award and the Sandra Vegting Leadership Prize. These awards are in honour and remembrance of heads of missions HE Graeme Wilson, former Australian High Commissioner to South Africa and HE Sandra Vegting, former High Commissioner to Mauritius. Ms Brink presented the Graeme Wilson Leadership Award to Ms Ishuna Niita from Namibia while the Sandra Vegting Leadership Prize went to Ms Veda Dawoonauth from Mauritius. 

Closing the ceremony, scholars were encouraged to embrace their upcoming educational journey in Australia with eagerness. They were urged to capitalise on the learning opportunities awaiting them, both academically and socially.