Six Fiji nationals get prestigious Australian Leadership Award scholarships

3 December 2010

Six Fiji nationals have been awarded Australian government scholarships to undertake postgraduate studies at various Australian universities in areas of study which include Engineering, Education, Governance, Health, and Environment.

The six were selected from a field of 78 Fiji and regional applicants for the prestigious Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) scholarships for which there are only 205 awards available, worldwide, for 2011.

As part of their program of study, the successful Fiji candidates will also participate in a tailored leadership development program to strengthen their leadership skills, enable them to establish regional networks and enhance their understanding of regional development challenges.

Presenting the six with their tickets at a Pre-Departure Briefing at the Australian High Commission in Suva today, the acting Australian High Commissioner, Ms Judith Robinson, said all six candidates were identified for their potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in Fiji and the region.

The six awardees are: Dr Eric Rafai (MA - Infectious Diseases – University of Western Australia), Jacinta Hesaie (MA - International Economics and Finance – University of Queensland), Dr Neel Nitesh (MA - International Public Health and Health Management – University of NSW), Preetika Singh (PhD - Climate Change – University of New England), Ravinesh Nand (MSc - Engineering Studies, Energy Planning – University of Technology Sydney) and Valentine Hazelman (PhD – Education – University of Wollongong).

“These scholars can be truly proud of winning this prestigious award which will better equip them with the qualities to serve as future leaders in their area of expertise and I congratulate them all,” Ms Robinson said.

“The Australian Leadership Awards initiative demonstrates Australia’s commitment to developing leadership and building partnerships and linkages within developing countries, while addressing priority development issues of Fiji and the region,” Ms Robinson said.

Commenting on his ALA scholarship, Dr Eric Rafai said: “My studies will enhance the only National Public Health Laboratory in Fiji and the expertise gained will further enhance Fiji and the region’s capacity to recognise and effectively respond to communicable disease threats such as pandemics, epidemics and post-disaster emergencies.”

The Australian Leadership Awards are administered by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) as part of the Australia Awards initiative

**ENDS**

Further information about Australia Awards can be found at www.australiaawards.gov.au.