Assoc. Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong and Ms Megan Jones with Australia Awards Scholars.

Celebrating 70 years of Australian scholarships in Laos

This year marks 70 years since the first Lao scholars undertook their studies in Australia. This milestone marks seven decades of fostering education excellence, strengthening people-to-people links and building human resources that have made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong and Ms Megan Jones view the history of  Australia Scholarship in Laos since 1954.

Since 1954, the Australia Awards Scholarships have supported more than 1,400 Lao citizens to undertake tertiary education in world class institutions in Australia.  These scholars have returned from their studies to take on leadership roles throughout the community, including as senior government and business leaders.
This week, Minister of Education and Sports Assoc. Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong, and the Australian Ambassador to Laos, Ms Megan Jones, attended an event to celebrate the anniversary.
The event also farewelled 25 Lao Australia Awards Scholarship recipients. The awardees will study at universities around Australia in a range of fields including early childhood education and care, hospitality management, international community development, human rights law, public health, energy, and more.
Ms Jones said “We are proud to provide scholarships to recipients from across all sectors and backgrounds, both government and non-government employees, to study in different fields at our world class education institutions.”
“It is also a very significant year as 2024 marks 70 years since the first Lao students travelled to Australia to study with an Australian Government scholarship. For 70 years, our scholarship programme has positioned Australia as an important partner in assisting Laos to respond to social and economic development priorities.”
Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international awards offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of global leaders.
They provide Lao people with the opportunity to obtain qualifications at the Masters, PhD or Vocational Education and Training levels from Australian institutions, equipping them with the skills and knowledge essential for driving development in Laos.
The 2025 intake of Australia Awards Scholarships also includes Australia for ASEAN Scholarships, a prestigious international Masters degree award offered by the Australian Government to the next generation of leaders from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste.
Applications for Australia Awards Scholarships for study in 2026 will open on February 1, 2025.
For more information about Australia Awards, please visit https://www.australiaawardslaos.org

Ms Megan Jones delivers her remarks.	Assoc. Prof. Dr Phout Simmalavong and Ms Megan Jones hand out Australia Awards Scholarships.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update December 19, 2024)