Pursuant to its goal of helping the Philippines achieve economic development through education, the Australian government has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 14 Filipino students through the Australian Leadership Award (ALA).

According to Australian Ambassador Rod Smith, 14 Filipinos will be provided scholarships to enable them to take postgraduate studies in universities in Australia next year.

“These 14 outstanding Filipinos have been identified for their potential to assume leadership roles which can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in the Philippines and the region,” Smith said.

“The awards demonstrate Australia’s commitment to supporting development in the Philippines, and to promoting greater mutual understanding and cooperation in matters of shared critical concern,” he said.

“Education is the engine room of ideas. It revolutionizes opportunity, builds the fabric of societies, and promotes development and fosters the growth of durable institutions,” Smith said.

Under the scholarship program, the students will have a chance to participate in a Leadership Development Program which will strengthen their leadership skills, establish regional networks and enhance their understanding of regional development challenges.

The ALA Scholarship recipients are: Paul Adolfo (Master of Public Policy, Australian National University); Ma. Gena Buenconsejo (Master of Community Planning and Development, La Trobe University); Maria Frencie Carreon (PhD in Arts, Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney); Juan Dayang, Jr. (PhD Diplomatic Studies, Australian National University); Francis Ron De Guzman (Master of Climate Change, Australian National University); Wilham Hailaya (PhD Education-University of Adelaide); Jayson Ibanez (PhD, Charles Darwin University); Jaime Manalo IV (Master of Communication, University of Queensland); Lorelei Peralta (Master of Marine Studies, University of Wollongong); Benjamin Pineda (Master of Governance and Public Policy, University of Queensland); Tomas Pedro Reginaldo (Master of Rehabilitation Counselling, University of Sydney); Lorna Santos (Master of Forensic Science, Bond University); Mary Rose Soria (Master of Applied Science in Geology, James Cook University); and Susan Valerio (PhD Business Administration, Charles Darwin University).

Earlier, the Australian government announced a new initiative, the Australia Awards, which will bring all scholarship awards of the Australian government in one single program.

The initiative will be piloted in Asia next year, to be called the Australia Asia Awards, wherein the Australian government will be allocating $18 million in scholarship grants. The ALA will be part of the Australia Awards.