May 2011 | Volume 11

Australia Awards for Africa Newsletter

An initiative of the Australian Government

AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP AWARD FELLOWSHIPS – NEW TO AFRICA IN 2011

The first Africans to study under the Australian Leadership Award Fellowships (ALAFs) travelled to Australia in February 2011. 28 Africans from 9 countries were provided with the opportunity to participate in short term skills enhancement in veterinary epidemiology; mining Geospatial Information Systems; and Trade Competitiveness through managing intellectual property rights.

Australian host organisations apply for Australian Government funding through two funding rounds each year. A further 68 Africans from 17 countries will begin fellowships in July 2011.

ALAFs are a flexible development tool. Alumni should consider discussing opportunities under this program with Australian organisations that they have kept in touch with. The next funding round opened from 16 May 2011 and closes on 22 June 2011.

For more information visit www.ausaid.gov.au/scholarships/fellowships

AUSTRALIAN SCHOLARSHIPS EXPAND ACROSS ALL REGIONS OF AFRICA

ALUMNI NEWS

Pictured here is Mr Jamie Isbister, recently appointed Minister Counsellor for Development in Pretoria by the Australian Government. This is the first time such a senior Australian development official has been posted to Africa. Mr Isbister has a wealth of Government and Non-Government experience related to African development. He will be responsible for the delivery of all Australian development cooperation, including scholarships, across Africa. The Minister Counsellor joined the Australian team in Africa at the start of May.

It’s an exciting time for the Australian Government’s scholarship team in Africa. Australia has already granted 470 scholarships to 36 African countries this year and is on track to meet the target of 1 000 scholarships per year across all African regions by 2013. This expansion has also brought with it a change in name from African Development Scholarships (ADS) to Australia Awards for Africa (AAA).

This change change reflects the fact that we’re listening to our partner countries. The vast majority of past scholarship opportunities provided by Australia have been long term Masters awards. Responding to strong demand across Africa, short term training is now being offered. In 2011, of the 470 scholarships, 235 are for study periods of less than three months. (See the back page for full details of our 2011 scholarships program.)

Australia Awards contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa by providing people with the knowledge and skills to promote development in their home countries. They are a centrepiece of the Australian Government’s development cooperation program in Africa.

www.adsafrica.com.au

The Australian Government has developed a range of short courses for 2011. These are:

• InternationalDiplomacy• MiningResources:RegulationandManagement• MiningResources:SustainableManagementofRevenueFlows• Mining:GeospatialInformationSystems• Mining:OccupationalHealthandSafety• TechnicalandVocationalEducationandTrainingPolicyReform• TradePolicy,NegotiationsandAnalysis

139 participants have been selected from 34 countries for these courses. We particularly welcome the countries which have not received any Australian scholarships before: Algeria, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Gabon, Morocco, Niger, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe and Togo. 34 people from these countries have recently been contacted with the good news that they are off to Australia to enhance their skills.

Australian academic institutions are currently visiting 15 African countries to meet with participants. The objective of these visits is to help Australian institutions design courses that are contextually relevant across Africa. With 34 different country contexts to consider, this is not an easy task.

Mr Jim Redden, of the University of Adelaide, visited Burundi, Kenya and Lesotho in April to inform the design of the Trade Policy, Analysis and Negotiation short course.

Mr Redden commented that “There was great enthusiasm for the short courses. Almost everyone I spoke to, including the Trade Minister of Burundi, asked if more officials could be trained by Australia in trade negotiation skills that can assist them achieve better development outcomes for low income communities. There was also a strong recognition of the need to ensure that women as well as men were the beneficiaries of future trade policy outcomes.”

To maximise the impact of the short courses, the Australian Government will fund a post course visit to Africa by partner institutions. This will include some one-on-one time with each participant for coaching and mentoring. Each short course participant will prepare an action plan of a change they want to implement at their workplace. The post course visit will review implementation progress and work to identify solutions for any problems that the student is experiencing.

Australian Alumni with relevant expertise in international diplomacy, mining, trade and Technical and Vocational Education and Training, who are interested in sharing their practical experience in implementing change, can register their interest by submitting their CV to jenny@adsafrica.org by 31 July 2011.

Work is currently underway to identify an expanded range of short courses for 2012. The 2012 courses will be designed so that private sector and civil society can participate along with the public sector.

We wish all our short course participants safe travels, an enjoyable stay in Australia and every success on your return from Australia as you continue to apply your learning throughout Africa.

MORE AUSTRALIAN SHORT COURSES FOR AFRICA

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Above: Judi Ward, AAA’s new course adviser, has been instrumental in providing assistance to mobilise our 2011 PhD scholarship awardees.

In 2011, the Australian Government offered 8 Phd Scholarships to Agricultural Researchers from Ethiopia (3), Kenya (4) and Uganda (1) through Australia Awards. We are currently seeking applications from up to 18 African countries for 2012 agricultural PhD scholarships.

Fifteen scholarships are being offered on a competitive basis to eligible nationals from Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia and Uganda.

Resident nationals of these countries should preferably be associated with agricultural research and development efforts supported by one or more of the four Australia-Africa Agricultural Partnerships being funded under the Australian Food Security Program in Africa which focus on regional market integration, trade and bio-security. The closing date for applications is 31 July 2011.

For application forms go to www.adsafrica.com.au/country/Agriculture.php

INCREASED GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE FOR AGRICULTURAL PHD SCHOLARSHIPS

Left to right: Jim Redden, Institute for International Trade, The University of Adelaide together with the Honourable Victoire Ndikumana, Minister for Trade, Industry, Post and Tourism in Burundi.

May 2011 | Volume 11

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Above: Ms Ilka Collinson, AusAID Program Manager for Lusophone countries, meets with Cape Verde non-government organisation representatives in Paraia, Cape Verde.

2011 saw the widespread inclusion of private sector and civil society organisations in Australia Awards for Africa. Currently 20 countries have opened access to their citizens for Masters level awards. This is a significant increase from previous years, when only two countries, Mozambique and Uganda, had opened scholarship access beyond the public sector.

The benefits of including private sector and civil society organisations in development scholarships include building connections and understanding across all three sectors to tackle development challenges together; and drawing on the expertise and capacity of both private sector and civil society in improving service delivery to the poor and to better inform Government policy and practice.

Australian Government representatives have been meeting with a range of private sector and non-government organisations over the past two months to promote the Masters level awards.

Cape Verde, who has already met the Millennium Development Goals, is one of the many African countries to see value in providing opened scholarship opportunities to public, private and civil society sectors. A representative of the Cape Verde coordinating authority Ms Fatima Santos summed it up as “When you have capacity constraints you cannot afford to ignore the strong contributions that the private sector and non-government organisations make to meeting development challenges.”

EXPANSION OF PRIVATE SECTOR AND CIVIL SOCIETY AWARD ACCESS

LUSOPHONE ENGAGEMENT

Since 1990 when Mozambique was first included in the Australian Government’s scholarship program, 100 Mozambicans have received Australian scholarships. Nineteen Mozambicans (11 females and 8 males) will commence Masters level studies in Australia in 2011.

BackgroundIn 1990 Mozambique was recovering from a 16 year civil war. The education system had been severely disrupted and much of the infrastructure was destroyed. As a former Portuguese colony, English was not the principal language. Women were also not fully empowered and had not been able to access higher levels of education in the same numbers as men.

As soon as stability was restored, the Australian Government was quick to offer scholarships to Mozambicans. Students benefited from English language bridging programs. The Government of Mozambique also decided to include English in the national curriculum and the population was increasingly exposed to English through media and information technology. As a result, Mozambique is now in a strong position to maximise access to the expanding Australian scholarships available across Africa.

Australia has recently established diplomatic relations with Angola, Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe. These countries can now access Australian development scholarships too. Australia provides up to 12 months English language training for those offered Masters level scholarships who have a current IELTS score of 5.5 (or TOEFL equivalent).

We are pleased that in 2011 the first two Angolans began studying on our scholarships in Australia. We wish these two students well and thank them for encouraging others in Angola to apply for Masters level studies in Australia. We also extend our thanks to our Mozambican Alumni working in Angola who have played a positive role in promoting Australia Awards in Angola.

As part of promoting Australia Awards, representatives of the Australian Government visited Cape Verde and Sao Tome and Principe, in April 2011. Government, non government and private sector organisations participated in a series of meetings to publicise the scholarship opportunities. There was keen interest in short term study opportunities from these countries with smaller population bases and workforces, who cannot afford to lose some of their most productive citizens for extended periods of time.

The inclusion of private sector and civil society, along with public sector, will enable Cape Verde and Sao Tome & Principe to maximise the potential pool of candidates who can apply for development scholarships. The Australian Government looks forward to working with authorities of these two Lusophone countries over the coming years to understand how we can best support delivery of scholarships.

Below: Australia’s Ambassador for Portugal, His Excellency Patrick Lawless meeting with the President of Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Sao Tome and Principe, Sílvia Perreira.

As a University student I was most interested in Africa and its future. I was attracted to the bravery and idealism of many of the independence leaders and saw the end of colonialism as a new beginning for the continent.

My return to academic life in 2006 has seen a renewed interest in Africa and its future. For 4 years now I have been visiting the continent to support the Australian Government’s Aid Program and its alumni programs. This has taken me to South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya and Rwanda.

Africa is back in focus – not just for the University of Sydney but also for the Australian Government. I share with course participants my ideas on modern government and the public sector and the challenges and opportunities they face. In particular I’m interested in the political skills they will require to negotiate and manage change in their own societies.

This year I visited Kenya and Botswana. Participants in the course came from these two countries plus Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. It’s very rewarding work because my biases and assumptions about government are challenged. It’s made me realise just how much “context” plays a role in what can be imagined as well as what can be achieved. I’ve also come to realise how hard the task of modernisation is, whether it be in the interests of efficient infrastructure, good public health and education or corruption-free government. Traditions die hard, even when it can be demonstrated that they no longer serve the public interest.

It follows that the sorts of skills needed are very political and very practical – community consultation and engagement, negotiation and project management, and communication all in the interests of building a consensus for change. Such skills have to be applied not just outside, in and with the community, but also within the agencies themselves.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of my work involves a scenario planning exercise with the participants. It challenges them to think about the most important objectives they pursue and the driving forces that are most likely to influence their world. You see here the differences between the “top down” technocrats and the “bottom up” community activists. However, when it all boils down, governance inevitably emerges as the key factor. Africa needs both physical infrastructure and community support if it is to lift its people to new levels of development, but without strong, effective and ethical leadership that mix will always be hard to find and sustain into the future.

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Facilitators from the University of Curtin delivered a Leadership Development Workshop for 16 Alumni and Partner Government representatives from seven West African countries on 25-26 January 2011. The workshop, held in Accra, brought together participants from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Part of the workshop included celebrating Australia Day at the Australian High Commission in Accra.

Feedback from the participants noted that the workshop demonstrated how a leader develops influence through her/his actions; highlighted the importance of motivating a team to maximise individual and collective potential; and gave participants critical tools for dealing with divergent views on issues.

At the workshop, two Alumni who returned from 2010 mining short awards reflected on their time in Australia:

Nathaniel Johnson from Liberia said, “I learned a lot on the course as an Assistant Director of Mine,s including how to get people involved in the program of my department and new methodology and techniques to employ. I also gathered more knowledge on taxation and royalties. Tax regimes should be attractive and internationally competitive to attract investors into your country especially in the extractive industry.”

Mr Rufus Gbenosa, Assistant Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in Nigeria said, “I learnt new methods and the importance of consultations with all parties in policy formulation. I also appreciate Australian work ethics and selfless leadership qualities.”

If you have completed your studies in Australia on an Australian Leadership Development Award, a short course or a long award, you are strongly encouraged to join the Australian Alumni network. As a member, you will receive a copy of Alumni News which will update your students on opportunities to participate in Alumni events and other networking and skills enhancement activities organised by the Australian Government. Details of your current employer, email and phone contacts are also important for these purposes.

To register as an Australian Alumni, or to update your details, go to www.adsafrica.com.au/alumni.php

THREE ALUMNI LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS IN AFRICA

Above: Mining Resources Alumni celebrating Australia Day at the Australian High Commission in Ghana.Left to right: Mr Ridwan Mohammed Abubakr – Principal Technical Officer at the Ministry of Mines & Steel Development in Nigeria. Mr Nathaniel G Johnson II – Assistant Director of Mines at the Ministry of Lands, Mines & Public Energy in Liberia. Mr Amhmed Jalloh (Sierra Leone Alumni) – Mining Engineer in the Ministry of Mineral Resources. Mr Amara Kargbo (Sierra Leone Alumni) – Processing Engineer at the Ministry of Mineral Resources. Mr Rufus Gbenosa (Nigeria Alumni) – Assistant Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Mines & Steel Development in Nigeria.

Above: The Honourable, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Minister of Education for Ghana meets His Excellency, Billy Williams to celebrate Australia Day at the Australian High Commission, Accra, Ghana.

Dr Geoff Gallop, a former Premier of the state of Western Australia, delivered two leadership development workshops in Botswana and Kenya in early 2011. 84 Australian Alumni attended. Dr Gallop now works at the University of Sydney in their School of Government. He provided the following reflections on Africa after the Alumni workshops.

REFLECTIONS ON AFRICA BY DR GEOFF GALLOP

Above: Dr Geoff Gallop

May 2011 | Volume 11

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A Coordinating Authority is a Partner Government organisation that the Australian Government works with to deliver scholarships. They play a critical part particularly in coordinating scholarships to the public sector. Their role includes: • BriefingseniorPartnerGovernment

officials on Australian scholarships;• Providingasingleandkeycontact

point for the Australian Government and its managing contractor, GRM International, including negotiating sectoral priorities, and ensuring the selection process and student mobilisation proceeds smoothly and in a timely fashion;

• Advisingonsuitablepromotionstrategies and supporting advertising through relevant line Ministries and other networks;

• Reviewingshortlistedapplicantstoverify their information and claims;

• Participatingasobserversatinterviews;

• Administeringdomesticarrangementsfor awardees (this can include the provision of study leave, the holding open of positions for awardees upon their return and bonding arrangements to ensure return to workplaces); and

• Participatinginpre-departurebriefings.

The Australian Government relies heavily on these African Partner Government organisations, who know the training needs of their countries.

We have chosen the Botswana Coordinating Authority to demonstrate the value that a strong relationship between Australian and African counterparts can bring.

Botswana first received Australian development scholarships in 2008. The Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) is the central Government agency responsible for managing human resources of the Botswana Government and is the scholarship Coordinating Authority for Public Sector scholarships.

Since Botswana’s inclusion in the program, Ms Kgomotso Motlotle, Senior Assistant Director, Training and Development, has been Australia’s key contact at DPSM. Ms Motlotle is ably supported by two staff members and together they coordinate scholarships through all participating Government Ministries/Departments. Training Coordinators are identified in each Ministry/Department to promote scholarship opportunities and work to support quality candidates applying for Australian scholarship opportunities. Along with her Coordinating Authority responsibilities, Ms Motlotle is responsible for the day to day administration and management of the public service training and development, and advising the Public Sector on human resource development.

Ms Motlotle approaches her role strategically. She has a clear vision of critical skills shortages within Botswana’s Government and how Australian Government scholarships can be used to address these. Ms Motlotle plans the process of scholarship delivery from beginning to end giving the Botswana

PUBLIC SECTOR COORDINATING AUTHORITY PROFILE: BOTSWANA

Left to right: Mrs Kgomotso Motlotle, Australia Awards Coordinating Authority for Botswana with Dr Geoff Gallop, Director of the School of Governance, Sydney University and the former Premier of Western Australia; Ms Poppy Majingo, Deputy Director responsible for the Asia-Pacific Region at the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation in Botswana and Mr Ray Tywakadi, Program Manager for the Australia Awards in Southern Africa.

Government the time to make sound decisions around scholarship priorities and practices. This also gives potential candidates sufficient time to respond.

“Proactive is a word that springs to mind about Ms Motlotle,” says AusAID’s Senior Program Manager, Mr Ray Tywakadi. “Ms Motlotle navigates scholarship issues through the Botswana Government skilfully, providing sound advice on the implications and benefits of scholarships.”

Learning lessons and implementing improvements are also hallmarks of Ms Motlotle’s approach. She displays strong leadership qualities particularly in maximising the development opportunities available to Botswana. Over 25 high quality Botswana applicants are being interviewed in May 2011 for Masters level awards. Ms Motlotle’s leadership has much do to with this excellent outcome.

The Australian Government provides a Pre-Departure Briefing in September/October for successful scholarship recipients to prepare them for student life in Australia. Ms Motlotle also runs her own Botswana Government briefing. Students are made aware of the Botswana Government expectations, provided with a security and police briefing and encouraged to register their presence with their Australian mission while studying. The Botswana Government has an Education Attaché in their High Commission in Canberra Australia. At any one time, the Botswana Government is funding about 30 students to study in Australia.

During April 2011, Ms Motlotle led a small team from the Government of Botswana to meet with Mr David Wise of the University of Newcastle. Part of this trip was to scope a potential Australian Leadership Award Fellowship program for Government of Botswana staff in an area of emerging need. See cover for details on Australian Leadership Award Fellowships.

We wish good luck to Ms Motlotle and all the students from Botswana wishing to study in Australia. Thanks for your strong support for Australian scholarships and academic institutions.

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ALUMNI HELPS OVERCOME KENYAN HEALTH CHALLENGES

ALUMNI FEATURE

Above: Sam Ngechu, deputy to the head of the Health Promotion Department in Kenya

According to the Kenyan Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, 30% of Kenya’s disease burden is sanitation-related, with many children dying from diarrhoeal diseases including dysentery, cholera and typhoid. An estimated 7,900 women die each year from preventable and treatable causes during pregnancy and childbirth in Kenya, while many more suffer disabling injuries.

Mr Sam Ngechu was appointed deputy to the head of the Health Promotion Department in Kenya in September last year, following the completion of his Masters degree in International Public Health from the University of Queensland. He is putting workable measures in place to overcome these Kenyan health problems.

“While working in the health administration field in various districts in Kenya, I realized that I needed to build up my skill capacity in order to better deliver health services,” says Sam. “After going through various university options, I discovered that the Australian style of education and training would best address my needs as my job requires a lot of critical thinking and analysis application. Being awarded an Australia Award made it possible for me to acquire these very necessary skills.”

Sam’s initial exposure to Australia was a massive culture shock for him, but he soon adapted to his new way of life, made lots of new friends and even learnt how to board surf!

Most importantly, Sam’s Australian experience equipped him with the tools to tackle public health problems from a global perspective. “I feel competent at tackling the challenges in the public health sector

due to learning how to apply critical thinking, analysis and evidence-based methodologies to whatever activities I carry out,” says Sam. Sam also learnt administration skills, organisation and management as well as project planning skills.

After acquiring his Masters degree, Sam jumped a number of ranks when he was promoted from district level to national level as deputy to the head of Kenya’s Health Promotion Department. In his new position, Sam’s key roles include supervising the activities of 150 health promotion officers working under the Health Promotion Department; establishing and spearheading a Programme Settings Division that will oversee the implementation of health education activities in the workplace, community and schools; preparing activities to communicate health issues to both the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and the greater public; and formulating health promotion policies and advocating for their adoption at policymaker level.

The knowledge and skills that Sam acquired through his scholarship is enabling him to deal with the challenges in Kenya’s health sector. “My work involves a lot of thinking outside the box,” explains Sam. “Where problems have been recurrent, there is need for critical thinking and analysis so as to come up with solutions that are more applicable in specific settings. For example, I conducted cholera prevention training together with the World Health Organisation late last year around the country. We were able to modify some of the WHO international guidelines on cholera prevention and tailor them to suit individual districts that are constantly affected. The measures have so far proven very effective.”

The scholarship also provided Sam with a high level of confidence due to the international exposure he acquired when learning in Australia. “I am therefore able to more confidently make decisions that affect health at national level knowing that they are likely to conform to international expectations,” says Sam. Another skill Sam learnt is that of being a team player. “The group presentations and discussion set-up emphasized in Australian education taught me to always get views from all workers in the health sector ranging from my superiors to subordinate staff.” Lastly, Sam has also been able to work better with international development partners after interacting with several people of diverse backgrounds and cultures while studying in Australia. “It is because of this that I have been

able to successfully initiate projects in our department with the Danish government to help with diabetes prevention in schools, as well as the American government to promote health in general around the country,” says Sam.

Sam explains that the world is gradually moving towards health promotion as a means of reducing disease prevalence and incidence. “This is as opposed to building up capacity in hospitals which, though important, often results in ward congestion if disease prevention is not addressed as the ultimate source of the problem. Thanks to acquiring a Masters Degree in International Health in Australia, I am now actively involved in disease prevention through education of the public and health workers. Thus I am able to contribute to Kenya’s development by tackling the Millennium Development Goal health challenges,” says Sam.

“I feel competent at tackling the challenges in the public health sector due to learning how to apply critical thinking, analysis and evidence-based methodologies to whatever activities I carry out.” Sam Ngechu

AusAID’s support for maternal and child health focuses on east Africa (including the Horn). This reflects: the significant development needs of this sub-region, with very poor maternal and child health indicators; the strong commitment of a number of governments in the region to addressing the issue; and the capacity to build on the success of past investments. For more information on the Australian Government’s development approach in Africa view the 2011-2015 strategy at www.ausaid.gov.au

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AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITYROADSHOWS IN AFRICA To coincide with this year’s Masters scholarship applicant interviews, the Australian Government has invited Australian universities to send representatives to Pretoria, Nairobi and Accra (our interview locations). We are extremely pleased with the response as 25 universities have expressed an

interest in attending one or more of the interview sessions. This will give interviewees the opportunity to discuss, face-to-face with university staff, the appropriate courses offered by the universities and what life in Australia is like. The Australian Government has strong student support mechanisms included as part of its scholarships. Students with special needs are encouraged to discuss their particular concerns with representatives of Australian universities. The roadshow also presents an opportunity for Coordinating Authorities to follow the Botswana Government’s example

(see page 5) and talk to Australian universities about their ability to deliver targeted short course training through Australian Leadership Fellowship Awards.

For further information on the Australian universities mentioned in this edition of Alumni News visit their websites:

Adelaide: www.adelaide.edu.auCurtin: www.curtin.edu.auQueensland: www.uq.edu.auNewcastle: www.newcastle.edu.auSydney: www.sydney.edu.au

AID EFFECTIVENESS REVIEW

Left to right: Mr Percy Stanley, Counsellor for Development Co-operation in Africa; Mr Ray Tywakadi, Program Manager Australia Africa Awards; Ms Maragaret Reid, Ms Nura Ghaeni from AusAID, Canberra and Mr Bill Farmer.

In April 2011, two members of the Australian Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness panel, visited Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The visit was part of information gathering on Australian development cooperation in Africa. The Australian Government commissioned the Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness to ensure that the increase in the aid budget to 0.5 of Gross National Income by 2015-16 is well-managed and meets the Government’s objectives. This is the first independent public review of the aid program since the Simons Review in 1996.

The two visiting panel members were:• MsMargaretReid,AO,whohas

extensive experience with Australian non-government organisations working in international aid as the former President of the Executive Committee of the Australian Council for International Development. Ms Reid was also the first female President of the Australian Senate, and former World President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association;

• MrBillFarmerisaformersenior diplomat. Mr Farmer was Head of Mission in the two largest recipients of Australian aid, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Mr Farmer was also the Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations.

They are pictured here after discussing the expansion of Australian scholarships across Africa

with AusAID in Pretoria. Topics of discussion included the geographic spread of the scholarships across Africa, the sectoral focus of the scholarships and the effectiveness of scholarships as a development tool. These topics were in line with the scope of the review which can be found at www.ausaid.gov.auThe final report is now being considered by the Australian Government.

Australia’s High Commissioner in South Africa, Her Excellency Ann Harrap, hosted a professional women’s luncheon on 8 March 2011, to mark the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day and to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide. Speaking to guests during the lunch in Pretoria, the first Australian female High Commissioner to Pretoria said, “The path to decent work for women is through equal access to education. We want to see more African women take up Australia Awards in coming years and we encourage you to spread the word about the opportunities.”

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, who encouraged women to think and act positively as they plan their careers and as they mentor other women in the workforce.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Left to right: Judi Nwokedi; Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane; Professor Cheryl de la Rey; Her Excellency, Ann Harrap and Pretoria News editor, Zingisa Mkhuma.

Nomvula Mokonyane is Gauteng’s first female Premier while Professor de la Rey is the first female Vice-Chancellor at the University of Pretoria.

IN BRIEF

www.adsafrica.com.au

May 2011 | Volume 11

AUSTRALIAN SCHOLARSHIPS EXPAND ACROSS ALL REGIONS OF AFRICA

2011 numbers are actual Australia Awards as at the start of May. 2012 numbers are planned Awards.

SCHOLARSHIP

Masters Level awards

Agricultural PhDs

Australia Leadership AwardFellowship

Short Course Award

Total

AWARDED COUNTRY

Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zambia

Total countries 24

Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda

Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

Total countries 19

Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zambia

Total countries 34

2011

227

9

96

139

471

ELIGIBLE COUNTRY

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia

Total countries 37

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda

Total countries 18

As per Masters awards

As per Masters awards plus Gabon, Guinea – Conakry and Niger

Total countries 40

2012

310

15

100

350

850

Note: Australian scholarship opportunities are provided on a competitive basis. Please refer to the website www.adsafrica.com.au for notice of further opportunities.

Australia Awards for Africa NewsletterALUMNI NEWS

GRM International’s new Physical address in South Africa is:3rd Floor, Building 3, 1140 Prospect Street, Hatfield, 0028, PretoriaOur Postal address remains:Private Bag X38, Hatfield, 0028, Pretoria, South AfricaOur email address for any information you need is:enquiries@adsafrica.org