The Australia Awards Scholarship Program is central to the Australian Government’s efforts to support African countries’ development and promote women’s empowerment. There are over 5,000 Australia Awards Alumni across Africa, many whom are in senior leadership positions and are positively shaping their countries’ future.

Alumni associations are important platforms to facilitate interaction among Alumni and new Scholarship recipients, as well as nurturing links between Australia and countries in Africa. The Australian Government is therefore launching an initiative to build capacity and provide financial support to Australia Awards Alumni associations.

 “Alumni associations have an important role to play for returning students in driving Alumni networking, collaboration and development opportunities.  I am honoured to be leading this effort in my country with a number of like-minded Alumni,” said Nompumelelo Radebe, Interim Chair of the Australia-South Africa Alumni Association. Nompumelelo received an Australian Government-funded Australia Awards Scholarship to study a Master of Public Administration at the University of Sydney, completed in 2009.

Nompumelelo is one of 40 leaders of Australia Awards Alumni associations across 20 African countries who will converge in Pretoria, South Africa, on 23 February 2015 for a two-day workshop on effective leadership for associations.

The Australian Government offers long-term scholarships as well as short-term fellowships. The initiative promotes equal participation by both women and men, and aims to ensure that people are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for and obtain scholarships. The Australian Government has put mechanisms in place to support applicants and Awardees requiring specific assistance.

More information on Australia Awards and Alumni initiatives is available on the website: www.australiaawardsafrica.org

For more information please contact:

Otae Mkandawire, Communications Manager, Australia Awards

Email:

Tel: +27 12 362 4360