On 22 September 2017, Australian Ambassador H.E. Mr Craig Chittick announced the Australian Embassy will provide over AUD 488,000 in grants for alumni, through the Alumni Small Grants Fund. The announcement was made during the “Welcome Home Ceremony” for nearly 50 Australia Awards recipients who have recently completed their studies in Australia.
Mr Craig Chittick announced the amount of AUD 488,000 in grants for alumni through the Alumni Small Grants Fund
The Alumni Small Grants Fund aims to empower alumni to consolidate their professional knowledge and skills through undertaking applied research, organising training courses and workshops and improving their workplace systems and processes.
Alumni in a group photo with Mr Craig Chittick
Australian alumni work in a diverse range of sectors, including central and local government agencies, education and research institutions, hospitals and medical centres and the private sector, in different parts of Vietnam and in various fields. The 52 successful projects funded in the 2017 round will be implemented by 108 alumni. The projects aim to address issues in education, rural development, food security, environment, gender equality, governance, disability, and economic growth.
“With support from the Alumni Small Grants Fund, we had the opportunity to learn about advanced educational management models from two leading universities in Australia. This will assist us in improving the National Economics University’s governance as a fully autonomous university,” said Prof. Dr Tran Tho Dat, Australia Awards Alumnus, President of National Economics University.
“The Australian Government is committed to supporting alumni upon their return to Vietnam to apply the knowledge and skills gained in Australia to their workplace, community and Vietnam’s socio-economic development. I encourage you as recently returned alumni to actively participate in alumni activities and use the Alumni Small Grants Fund to support your innovative ideas that can contribute to the development of Vietnam and links between our two countries.” said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Mr Craig Chittick.
Alumnus Nguyen Anh Tuan shared his experiences studying in Australia
On behalf of nearly 50 newly returned post-graduates at the ceremony, Mr Nguyen Anh Tuan, Master of Public Health, University of Melbourne spoke about his experiences studying in Australia and thanked the Australian Government for its continuous support. “I was very honoured to receive an Australia Awards Scholarship for my postgraduate study. Though I have come home, I am very happy to know that Australia will always be with me and continue to support me in contributing to my country.” commented Tuan.
Australia is a leading provider of scholarships to Vietnam, which contribute directly to Vietnam’s development objectives. There are currently around 6,000 Australia Awards alumni from Vietnam who graduated from Australian universities dating back to the 1970s, and over 60,000 alumni of Australian education institutions, who are contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economic development. Australia Awards are prestigious Australian government funded awards which include the Australia Awards Scholarships and Fellowships and Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships.
