The Australian Agency for International Development will grant 250 scholarships to Vietnamese citizens for their postgraduate studies in this country next year. The Australian Development scholarships aim to increase the capacity and leadership skills of students so they contribute more to the country’s development, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported Feb 9. Leading academics, central and local government officials and people engaged in development issues, especially those from disadvantaged areas, ethnic minorities and Vietnam’s disabled community are being encouraged to apply to these scholarships. The successful applicants will join a well established network of 4,000 Vietnamese alumni who have studied in Australia through Australian government scholarships over the last 30 years, including well-known academics and business leaders. Australia is one the countries offering the most scholarships to Vietnamese students. In 2011, the Asia-Australia scholarship program offered 400 of a total 5,000 scholarships to Vietnamese students said. There are about 25,000 Vietnamese students in Australia, and 16,000 others are pursuing their study at Australian training centers based in Vietnam, statistics from the Australia Agency for International Development showed. (Tuoi Tre - Youth Feb 9)
