Australia launches 2012 scholarships, book on education endeavors in Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Australia acknowledged on Thursday that the Philippine government has sought to increase spending on education but efforts have proven insufficient to meet the demands of a rapidly rising population and cost increases in the education system.

“So much remains to be done to get Filipino children to school, keep them in school and help them perform better at school, and we’re pleased to be playing a small part in those efforts,” said Australian Embassy Charge d’Affaires Andrew Byrne at the launch of the Australia Awards 2012 Scholarships and the new book Endeavors of Excellence: 60 years of Australian Scholarship in South and Southeast Asia on Thursday night at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

The new book, recently published by the Australian Department of Education, focuses on the extraordinary story about individuals, including several from the Philippines and their endeavors to achieve excellence in education, and Australia’s international education sector.

Australia’s current education assistance to the Philippines, delivered through bilateral development program, aims broadly to contribute to promoting economic growth, reducing poverty and enhancing national stability.

“Our most important tool for pursuing these objectives is education. Close to half of Australia’s total aid program in the Philippines is focused on education – both basic education and higher education through scholarships,” he added.

Byrne noted that basic education remains a key priority of Australia’s development assistance program in the Philippines with its annual contribution of P2 billion, making Australia the top bilateral donor in basic education in the Philippines.

Through Australian basic education programs Basic Education in Mindanao (BEAM), Strengthening Implementation of Visayas Education (STRIVE), six million Filipino children have been reached improving their ability to go to school, stay in school and learn in school.

“But Australia’s support is modest given the education needs in the Philippines,” he said.

Australia has also invested heavily in the tertiary sector, through scholarships for study in Australia.

“This investment reflects our strengths and the quality of an Australian education,” Byrne said.

According to Byrne, Australia has cutting-edge capabilities in the education sector and it is home to eight of the world’s 100 top universities.

He said that more and more Filipino students are choosing to study in Australia with over 4,800 Filipinos were enrolled to study in Australia in 2010.

Today Australia is also home to a community of over 200,000 Filipinos, who make up around one percent of Australia’s population.

“As a sign of our commitment to improving the quality of human resources in the Philippines, I am pleased to say we have increased the number of scholarships available to Filipinos to study in Australia, from around 80 per year to 120 per year,” he said.

At least 120 post-graduate Development Awards scholarships will be provided to high-achieving Filipinos to study in leading Australian universities in 2012. Applications are open until May 31, 2011.