New batch of scholars to leave for Australia

A new batch of Filipino professionals will leave for Australia in January 2010 to pursue post-graduate studies at Australian universities.
The 52 professionals from different fields were awarded Australian Development Scholarships by the Philippines-Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF) through its Long Term Training (LTT) program.
PAHRDF is a five-year, Php2.3 billion (A$60 million) initiative of the Australian Government Aid Program. It aims to assist partner national and local government agencies, academic institutions and private organizations to address key organizational needs. It also enables them to provide better services and manage their institutions more effectively through short and long-term human resource development programs.
A pre-departure briefing for the new Filipino scholars, some of whom will be studying in Australia for the first time, was conducted on 4-6 November 2009 in Davao City.
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) First Secretary, Trisha Gray, and Ms. Ameta Benjamin, Chief Economic Development Specialist of the Public Investment Staff of the National Economic and Development Authority, attended the event. Long-term training alumni were also present to share their experiences and give advice to the new scholars.
Led by the PAHRDF Facility Director, Milalin Javellana, the two-day briefing focused on helping the scholars prepare for their studies in Australia. It included presentations on living and studying in Australia and understanding the conditions and requirements of the scholarships.
The Australian Development Scholarships (or Long Term Training Program in the Philippines) awardees are nominated to pursue post-graduate studies in different priority disciplines including human resource management, public administration, public policy and educational leadership. About 80 Filipino scholars are awarded Australian Development Scholarships annually.
After completing their studies, the returning scholars’ are expected to apply the knowledge and skills they gained from their scholarships through their Re Entry Action Plan (REAP) to contribute to the organizational change of their respective institutions. In this way, the scholarship program has a larger impact on broader Philippine development. 
Australia’s aid to the Philippines focuses on helping the country improve prospects for economic growth, increase access to and quality of basic education, reduce poverty and enhance national stability and security. In its broader aid program, Australia recognizes that human resource development within institutions is critical to the Philippines’ achieving its development goals.
The Philippines currently ranks fourth among the major recipients of Australia’s scholarship program in the Asia–Pacific region. Australia, one of the Philippines’ top bilateral grant aid donors, will contribute about Php4.6 billion (approx A$123 million) in aid in FY 2009-2010.