The New Nation - Internet Edition

STAFF REPORTER

Australia has awarded 61 scholarships to students from Bangladesh to support the country's human capital and economic development.

The Australian scholarships are aimed at developing Bangladesh's capacity in key areas such as education, public health, water management, gender, public policy and diplomacy.

"Australia is very pleased to be assisting Bangladesh to develop its human capital by offering 61 scholarships to Australia's world-class universities," Australian High Commissioner, Douglas Foskett, said on December 1 at a ceremony held in Dhaka.

Mr Foskett emphasised Australia's ongoing support for Bangladesh's focus on human resource development as a critical way to promote economic development.

Congratulating the scholarship awardees, the High Commissioner highlighted Australia's relationship with Bangladesh and said, "Australia's partnership with both government and non-government agencies ensures the scholarship program will help strengthen the capacity of institutions in Bangladesh."

"On their return from Australia, the awardees will be able to contribute significantly to their own workplaces and the country as a whole."

Included in the 2009 intake are 13 awardees of the Australian Leadership Awards, which targets current and future leaders and key personnel in corporate, academic, non-government and government services.

ALA Scholarship recipients have an important role to play, as future leaders, in helping countries in the Asia Pacific region make progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.

Saiful Alam Hamidi, Deputy Chief, Economic Relations Division, also congratulated the scholarship awardees and expressed his gratitude to the Australian Government for the valuable support and cooperation provided to the Government of Bangladesh through Australian scholarships.