Australia Offers 10 Scholarships To Fijian Students

Up to 10 Fijian students are welcome to study in Aus­tralia under the Pacific Sec­ondary Scholarship Programme (PSSP).

The Minister for Education, Her­itage and Arts Rosy Akbar and the Acting Australian High Commis­sioner to Fiji, Anna Dorney signed a Memorandum Of Understanding on the programme in Suva yester­day.

The programme was officially an­nounced by Australian Prime Min­ister, Scott Morrison in November last year.

The programme will award pres­tigious scholarships to students from Pacific Island countries to pursue higher quality senior sec­ondary education in Australia.

In signing the MOU, Ms Dorney said “that this programme is part of our joint commitment with the Fijian Government to providing more opportunities for quality education to Fijians and that child protection, student education and welfare are primary considerations for the scholarship programme.

Ms Akbar expressed delight that the scholarships “will present a unique opportunity for 10 students to take advantage of experiencing Australia’s education system and to challenge their own academic expe­rience. The students will also be ex­posed to the rich cultural diversity of Australia broadening their over­all learning experience. I welcome this initiative from the Australian Government.”

PSSP is the first of its kind in Fiji and will have a duration of 2 and a half years. The first group of stu­dents selected to study in Australia will begin their semesters in July 2020.

The first half year allows for an integration period for the students, allowing completion of the second half of their Year 10 academic year in Australia in preparation for their senior years – Years 11 and 12.

“Consideration will be given to students from remote schools, on the basis of gender equality and disability, but will be merit based focusing on future leaders who are involved in their communities. Clear selection criteria will be cir­culated in early 2020 for potential applicants” added Ms Akbar.

The scholarships will give stu­dents the opportunity to experience living in a homestay, integration into a new community, general fam­ily life in Australia and the chance to forge lifelong friendships.

The programme is close to $99 mil­lion investment to further deepen educational links with the Pacific through the Pacific Step-Up initia­tive.