Media Release

18 June 2007

Your chance to make a difference – Australian Development Scholarships

Outstanding Indonesians who want to help shape their country’s future are encouraged to take the first steps forward by applying for an Australian Development Scholarship, with applications opening today, 18 June 2007.

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), offered through the Australian Agency for International Development – AusAID – can open a door to the world for Indonesians wanting to pursue Masters and Doctorate studies in Australia.

ADS is a merit-based scholarship program, and is open to applicants from both the government and non-government sectors. In 2007/08, up to 270 ADS scholarships will be available, with 50 per cent of all scholarships to be awarded to women.

Candidates can choose studies from within four areas of development priority: Economic Management, Democratic Institutions and Practice, Basic Social Services and Security and Stability.
The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said the scholarships would provide a better future for Indonesia through helping promising Indonesian scholars to reach their full potential.

“The Australian Scholarships program, of which Australian Development Scholarships are an important part, is all about people and investing in their futures,” Mr Farmer said.

“The ADS program has been running since the 1950s, and this year’s scholars will join more than 10,000 people whose commitment to pursuing higher studies will not only benefit Indonesia’s political and economic future – it will also help steer the friendship between our two countries into the future.”

The Australian Scholarships initiative is a A$1.4 billion (IDR 10 trillion) program promoting development and education cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

ADS applications close on 7 September 2007.

For more information visit www.australiaawards.gov.au or www.adsjakarta.or.id

Media enquiries:
Mia Salim (Public Affairs, AusAID) – 2550-5490