DILI, 28 june 2021 (TATOLI) – Applications for Australia Awards scholarships (AAS) in Timor-Leste have jumped by 38 per cent to an all-time high in 2021 with 368 applications submitted compared to 282 in 2020.
Applications from women have also increased by 28 per cent on the previous year, and applications from people with disabilities have tripled.
Despite recent floods and COVID-19 restrictions, 176 women and 192 men, including 16 people with disabilities, applied for the chance to study in 2022 at Australia’s best universities.
Commenting on the increase H E Peter Roberts, The Ambassador for Australia in Timor-Leste, said, “I am delighted to see such a high number of scholarship applications for the Australia Awards this year. It is especially pleasing to see even more women and people with disabilities applying for scholarships.”
The application increase was boosted by a promotion campaign including 36 information sessions covering nine municipalities that included more than 800 women and men. New online briefings were also created to mitigate COVID-19 face-to-face restrictions, complemented by a one-month application extension period. Additionally, Australia provided three-month English language courses targeting people with disabilities and public servants.
Each year Australia Awards seeks to offer at least one scholarship to a person with a disability. Since 2018, AAS has been providing training to build a pipeline of potential applicants with a disability who are better able to meet international scholarship language requirements. Training to date includes an 18-month English for Employability course with SENAI NT and two rounds of English language short courses delivered in close collaboration with national disabled persons organizations.
Up to twenty scholarships, funded by the Australian Government, will be awarded later this year. When these awardees graduate, they will join 339 alumni using their world class education to contribute to the development of Timor-Leste.
Related news:17 candidates of Australian Scholarship are tested to study in Australia
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
