MALAYA: 16 Pinoys receive full scholarship to Australia

By ANTHONY IAN CRUZ
Malaya
Dec. 8, 2007

THE Australian Embassy announced on Thursday the selection of 16 Filipinos as local recipients of the Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) for 2008 that will allow them to pursue masteral and doctoral studies in Australian universities on full scholarship.

At the pre-departure reception held at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City, Australian Ambassador Tony Hely said the selection of ALA scholars in the Philippines is aimed at promoting “better ties” between the two countries.

ALA is a regional scholarship program that seeks to attract achievers in the Asia-Pacific region to undertake postgraduate studies and a leadership development program in Australia.

Hely said ALA scholars are not required to render service to the Australian government in exchange for the scholarship grants. “All of them are instead required to head back to their home countries to contribute to development efforts, and to promote better relations between Australia and their home countries.”

Each ALA study grant is worth A$130,000 for masteral studies and A$250,000 for doctoral studies. The Australian government will also shoulder return air travel, initial visa expenses, “establishment” allowance and living expenses, full tuition fees, and student medical insurance.

This year’s scholars are Bernard Agana, PhD in Conservation and Environmental Science; Jamie Alarcon, Masters in Environment and Sustainability; Rodel Balingit, Masters in Information Technology; Roger Barroga, PhD in Human Geography; Marie Noelyn Dano, PhD in Agricultural, Veterinary and Environmental Sciences; Racquel Ho, PhD in Education; Haroun Al-Rashid Idiris Jaji, PhD in Agricultural, Veterinary and Environmental Sciences;Jonizel Lagunzad, Masters in Diplomacy and International Affairs; Harold Lapuz, Masters in Public Policy; Maximilian Larena, PhD in Medical and Health Sciences: Acram Latiph, PhD in International and Development Economic; Jenny Panchal, PhD in Tourism Management; Estela Pasuquin, PhD in the Sciences; Jean Alia Robles, Masters in Public Administration; Suzzith Soria, Masters in Commerce-Professional Accounting, and Analiza Teh, Masters in Law.