HÀ NỘI — The Australian Embassy has invited a new group of 53 Australia Awards scholars to leave Việt Nam for postgraduate studies in Australia in early 2017.

Reflecting Australia’s commitment to study opportunities for women and disabled Vietnamese, 38 of the 53 scholars are women and one awardee has a disability, according to a press release today.

Awardees will be able to undertake vocational training, professional development, research fellowships or postgraduate study at a university of their choice in Australia in a diverse range of areas.

The new scholars are the latest of a total of 5,800 Vietnamese students who have received long-term and short-term training opportunities from the Australian Government since the opening of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1973.

“The Australia Awards are a central pillar in the development of Australia’s economic and innovation partnerships with Viet Nam. They are building invaluable connections between the Australian and Vietnamese scholars and academics, which in turn helps develop innovation partnerships that boost productivity and economic development,” said Australian Ambassador to Việt Nam Craig Chittick.

The Australia Awards Scholarships are part of a broader investment by the Australian Government in human resource development in Việt Nam.

The Australian Government recently launched the Australia Global Alumni Engagement Strategy to connect with alumni well after their studies are finished through ongoing learning opportunities and access to a thriving network of like-minded professionals that extends across the globe.

New application rounds for Australia Awards Scholarships will open on 1 February 2017 and in April 2017 for the Australia Awards - Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships. — VNS