Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Scholarships

The Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) is a program funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The ALA program aims to develop leadership, build partnerships and linkages within the Asia-Pacific region, and address priority regional issues. Awardees are selected from the public, private and community sectors.

ALA Scholarships are academically prestigious awards offered to high achievers from the Asia-Pacific region each year to undertake postgraduate study (Masters or Doctorate) and a Leadership Development Program in Australia.

Awards are only offered for study programs related to the AusAID priority areas of:

• Disability
• Economic Growth
• Education
• Environment
• Food Security
• Gender
• Governance
• Health
• Human Rights
• Infrastructure
• Regional Stability
• Rural Development
• Water and Sanitation

Postgraduate study may only be undertaken at participating Australian higher education institutions. Please see the list of the eligible institutions in the Information Brochure.

When and How to Apply

Advertising of the ALA Scholarships by television, radio and newspaper will commence from 10 March 2010.

Hardcopy application forms will also be available from IDP Education (Cambodia) within the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) in Phnom Penh and ACE Siem Reap, and online (internet). Please click here for scholarship application form.

Applications can be submitted in either electronic or hardcopy format. All supporting documents must be included in order for applications to be eligible.

Applications can be submitted online at https://oasis.ausaid.gov.au/ or hardcopy applications can be submitted to IDP Education in Phnom Penh.

Women and provincial candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications open: 10 March 2010

Applications close: 30 June 2010

Eligibility Criteria

ALA Scholarships are for those who currently hold, or have the potential to assume, leadership roles and can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in their own countries and in the region.

All applications will be assessed against the following:

• Cambodian citizen and resident
• Non-resident of Australia or New Zealand
• Not married to/or defacto of, or engaged to, a person who holds or is eligible to hold an Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent resident status
• Not hold or have held an Australian government funded scholarship in the preceding 24 months at time of application
• Not already be studying at an Australian institution at the time of application;
• Possess a degree considered equivalent to an Australian Bachelors or postgraduate degree
• Have strong academic background at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level
• Have advanced English language proficiency (subject to university entry requirements with an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and no individual band less than 6; or equivalent level)
• Have submitted a letter of unconditional offer for enrolment, at an Australian higher education institution, with the ALA Scholarship application. Applicants must apply directly to an Australian University for an unconditional offer. ALA applicants must have received an unconditional offer at time of application
• Proposed study program related to an AusAID priority area

What is an unconditional offer?

An unconditional offer for enrolment is made by a university based on an application that you submit directly to that university. An unconditional offer does not require you to complete any preliminary courses or to provide the university with further evidence before you can be admitted. If an institution places any conditions on their offer to you, these conditions must be met before you submit your ALA application. In order to be eligible, ALA applications must include an unconditional offer from an Australian university. Please note that obtaining a letter of unconditional offer can take up to 6 weeks (or more). Please allow sufficient time for the university to assess your application for admission.

Selection Criteria

Eligible candidates will be measured against the following selection criteria:

1. Academic competence

• Level of results achieved in degrees(s) from a recognised university
• Relevant publications, prizes and awards
• Link between past studies and proposed course of study

2. Demonstrated professional and personal leadership attributes

• Relevant work experience in field related to proposed course of study
• Career progression
• Community work and awards
• Leadership attributes pertinent to development

3. Potential outcomes

• Alignment of background with Australia-Cambodia Country Program Strategy objectives
• Alignment of proposed course of study and initial reintegration plan with Australia-Cambodia Country Program Strategy objectives

Level and Length of Study

An ALA Scholarship enables candidates to undertake studies leading to a Masters or Doctorate (PhD) degree in Australia. It does not include Graduate Diplomas, with the exception of those Masters courses that require the completion of a Graduate Diploma as part of the Masters degree. Length of study is dependent on the chosen study path, however it is generally up to 2 years for Masters degrees and up to 4 years for Doctorate degrees.

Fields of Study

ALA scholarships are only open to study programs related to the AusAID priority areas of Disability, Economic Growth, Education, Environment, Food Security, Gender, Governance, Health, Human Rights, Infrastructure, Regional Stability, Rural Development, and Water and Sanitation. Scholarships are not available for military training, or training in areas related to nuclear technology and flying aircraft.

Scholarship Entitlements

An ALA Scholarship can be valued up to A$150,000 for Masters degrees and A$300,000 for Doctorate programs, with additional value included in the Leadership Development Program. Benefits include:

• Return air travel to and from Australia
• Contribution towards initial visa expenses
• Establishment allowance
• Full tuition fees
• Contribution to living expenses
• Introductory Academic Program (IAP)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for award holder only)
• A Leadership Development Program

Scholarship Conditions

• Awardee must commence scholarship in the year for which it is awarded. ALA scholarships awards cannot be deferred
• Awardee muse be enrolled on a full-time basis and make satisfactory academic progress
• All student visa conditions and university regulations must be satisfied
• Students must leave Australia and return to Cambodia upon the completion of scholarship; it is a condition of the AusAID student visa that students depart Australia at the end of scholarship and may not apply to return to Australia to live or study for a two-year period
• Understanding and agreement that the Australian Government is not responsible for a candidate’s actions (or those of their dependents) whilst they are in Australia
• Scholarship does not provide funds to support accompanying dependants/ family members
• Awardee is not permitted to hold any other Australian Government sponsored scholarship for the duration of the ALA Scholarship

Contact

For further information, please contact:

IDP Education (Cambodia)

Nº 46, Street 214, Boeung Raing,

Khan Daun Penh P.O. Box 860,

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tel: (855) 23 212 113 / (855) 23 215 227

Fax: (855 23) 426 608

Email: ala.phnompenh@idp.com