ISLAMABAD: Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson on Friday presented 147 recently returned Australia Awards scholars with achievement certificates.
Australia Awards were offered by the Australian government to equip upcoming generations with the skills and knowledge they need to shape successful, inclusive and sustainable economic and social development. Certificates were awarded to 107 master’s graduates and 40 short course graduates in the areas of education, public health, governance, mining, water resource management, agriculture, rural development, agri-business and entrepreneurship.
“Education is an important connection between our two countries and people. I’m encouraged by the growing number of Pakistanis who make Australian educational institutions their first choice for their professional development,” High Commissioner Adamson said.
Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan welcomed Australia’s support to Pakistan’s development through the Australia Awards programme.
“Australia is providing opportunities to Pakistani professionals through these awards. Australia and Pakistan are cooperating in the education sector and we look forward to developing a mechanism that ensures an increase in collaborative initiatives taken by institutes in both countries,” Dr Mukhtar said.
Australia Awards were a central pillar of the Australian government’s longstanding development assistance partnership with Pakistan. The returned scholars would join an active and engaged network of Australian alumni in Pakistan, as well as regional and global alumni communities. The Australian government is committed to continuing engagement with alumni to connect, mobilise and celebrate these important networks.
“Our experience of living and studying in Australia is a solid foundation. We now have a platform which will help us excel both personally and professionally, and the ability and skills to help our community and aim for a better future for all,” Australia Awards alumnus Faiza Rehman Syed said.
Applications for the next intake of Australia Award scholarships open on February 1.
