By NNN-BSS
Dhaka, Bangladesh : The government of Australia has announced scholarships for study at masters and doctorate levels for the year 2009 under the Australian Leadership Awards (ALA).
The ALA scholarships scheme is open to current and emerging leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Douglas Foskett said adding that applications are now being invited for the scholarships, said a press release.
ALA Scholarships are managed by the Australian Agency for International Development, AusAid, and over Aus$ 133 million is spent annually on scholarships throughout the aid programme, he noted recently.
Up to 220 scholarships are being offered to students globally to study at Australian universities in the year 2009 and the candidates would be selected from a highly competitive
regional pool on the basis of demonstrated leadership qualities and academic achievement, the press release added.
In 2008, a total of 16 candidates were selected from Bangladesh under the programme, it added.
Awards are open for all fields of study. However, the study programme that relate to the priority themes of shared regional interest like international trade, pandemics, security and
climate change including clean energy are encouraged, the press release said.
The applications for 2009 ALA Scholarship will close on June 30, 2008.