New Australia Awards Scholarship recipients prepare for their journey ahead
Posted: 23 January 2025
In November and December 2024, 167 Australia Awards Scholarship recipients from South Asia and Mongolia attended pre-departure briefings in their home countries. These recipients from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will commence their master’s degree programs at world-class universities in Australia in 2025.
Attending pre-departure briefings offers new Australia Awards Scholarship recipients a chance to adequately prepare for their academic journey in Australia. During these sessions, scholars learn about what to expect in Australia during their study period, the cultural similarities and differences between Australia and their home countries, health insurance coverage, laws in Australia, and how to handle challenges of living and studying in a foreign country. Australia Awards also works with Australian High Commissions and Embassies to organise farewell receptions where recipients receive their certificates and have the opportunity to interact with High Commissioners, representatives of Ministries of Education and Australia Awards alumni.
Below is an overview of the pre-departure briefings and farewell receptions that took place in each country for the cohort of Scholarship recipients who will begin their study in 2025.
In Bangladesh, 59 recipients attended an exciting pre-departure briefing and a farewell event hosted by the Australian High Commission on 14–15 November, getting all set for their experience in Australia. In a heartfelt message, Acting High Commissioner Nardia Simpson encouraged the new recipients to embrace the Australia Awards ethos to make a difference, inspiring change in their communities and in Bangladesh.
Scholar Md. Toky Foysal Talukdar, who will commence his Master of Sustainable Energy at the University of Queensland in 2025, participated in the pre-departure briefing and shared his thoughts. “The pre-departure briefing has been instrumental in preparing us for the journey ahead. Through these sessions, we’ve gained invaluable insights into Australia’s academic standards, cultural nuances, and practical guidance for adapting to life abroad. This support has eased our transition and boosted our confidence, equipping us with the knowledge and understanding to fully embrace the experiences that await us in Australia”, he said.
Scholar Shahrin Ashraf will begin her Master of Digital Marketing at the University of Melbourne in 2025. After attending the pre-departure briefing, she said, “As an Assistant Professor at the Department of Marketing in the University of Dhaka, this Scholarship represents a chance to inspire the next generation. I envision fostering a culture where students are empowered to innovate and explore. The inspiration to pursue this Scholarship came while I was leading a digital advertising workshop for student entrepreneurs. Their enthusiasm underscored the need for a curriculum that bridges academia and industry, preparing them for today’s economy. With this degree, I hope to bring that vision to life.”

The new cohort of Bangladeshi scholars with Nardia Simpson, Acting High Commissioner (ninth from right, front row), Tony Crooks, Team Leader of Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia (eighth from right, front row) and the Australia Awards team in Bangladesh.
Twelve outstanding Bhutanese professionals—six women and six men—received Australia Awards Scholarships to pursue studies in a range of disciplines. They attended their pre-departure briefing and farewell ceremony on 21–22 November. Carly Partridge, Minister Counsellor from the Australian High Commission, congratulated the Scholarship recipients at the farewell ceremony and presented them with certificates. She said, “You are a diverse and high-achieving group of people. These prestigious awards will help equip you with the skills to become leaders in your respective sectors and communities. They will support you to contribute to Bhutan’s Thirteenth Five Year Plan and transformative development initiatives spearheaded by His Majesty the King for the people of Bhutan. We look forward to welcoming you to Australia.”
Dasho Tshering Cigay Dorji, a Commissioner from the Royal Civil Service Commission, said, “Australia Awards alumni play a pivotal role in Bhutan’s transformational civil service reforms. High quality education [for] thousands of Bhutanese from world-class Australian education institutions has been instrumental in shaping the country’s development ecosystem, both in the public and private sectors. We hope that the Australian Government will continue to support Bhutan to become a knowledge-based society, enabled to tackle current and emerging human resource challenges.”

Scholars from Bhutan with Carly Partridge, Minister Counsellor (front row, fourth from right) and other Australian High Commission officials and the Australia Awards – Bhutan team.
Maldives held its pre-departure briefing for 16 Scholarship recipients on 19–20 November. HE David Jessup, High Commissioner to Republic of Maldives, met the new recipients and wished them all the best for an exciting journey ahead. HE Ibrahim Latheef, National Security Advisor at the President’s Office in Maldives, attended the farewell ceremony as chief guest. Also in attendance were Australia Awards alumni from Maldives, who made the event all the livelier and more engaging by interacting and sharing their experiences with the new recipients.

Scholarship recipients from Maldives pictured with High Commissioner HE David Jessup (front row, middle) and HE Ibrahim Latheef, National Security Advisor at the President’s Office in Maldives (front row, fourth from left).
The pre-departure briefing in Mongolia was held on 15–16 November at the Australian Corner in Ulaanbaatar. Eight recipients attended the pre-departure briefing and the farewell reception, where they were joined by Andrew Berryman, Deputy Ambassador of the Australian Embassy in Mongolia, and U. Byambasuren, Vice Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia. Representatives of the Mongolia–Australia Society (Mozzies) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce Mongolia also attended.
Mr Berryman congratulated the recipients and gave advice on Australian cultural differences. Mr Byambasuren made the opening remarks and congratulated the recipients on their prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships. He encouraged them to make the best of their stay in Australia by meeting new people and enhancing Mongolian and Australian connections. Finally, he wished the recipients success with their studies and reminded them to contribute to development in Mongolia in their fields on their return.
At the pre-departure briefing, the Mozzies and Australian Chamber of Commerce Mongolia representatives and Women’s Leadership Program alumni shared their personal and professional experiences and discussed how the new Scholarship recipients could benefit from maintaining ongoing connections with Australia Awards alumni when they return to Mongolia.

Eight Mongolian scholars pictured with Mr Byambasuren Urgamal, Australia Awards – Mongolia Program Coordinating Committee Co-Chair and Vice Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia (front row, middle) and the Australia Awards team.
Eighteen diverse and high-achieving individuals from Nepal received Australia Awards Scholarships for study commencing in 2025. This new group of Scholarship recipients consists of eight women, nine men and one non-binary person. Two-thirds of the recipients are from the public sector. One member of the cohort is a person with disability, and 12 identify as people from traditionally marginalised groups. The 18 scholars received their Australia Awards certificates at an award ceremony on 29 November in Kathmandu, Nepal, in front of more than 130 invited guests.
At the award ceremony, HE Leann Johnston, Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal, highlighted Australia’s commitment to supporting inclusive leadership. She said, “Australia Awards’ focus on social inclusion makes it a Scholarship that offers opportunity to all. The data speaks to this commitment, with over 60% of the Awards scholars for the 2025 intake coming from traditionally marginalised communities.”
Baikuntha Prasad Aryal, Acting Secretary of the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, commended the 18 scholars and said, “The Australia Awards are more than scholarships; they are bridges of learning and collaboration between Nepal and Australia.” He further remarked, “As you thrive in your studies, think about the ways you can give back to Nepal—whether by improving healthcare, advancing education, fostering innovation or championing social justice.”

Scholars from Nepal pictured with HE Leann Johnston, Australia’s Ambassador to Nepal (front row, middle), Baikuntha Prasad Aryal (front row, fourth from left), Tony Crooks (front row, fourth from right), and other representatives from the High Commission.
The pre-departure briefing in Pakistan took place on 10–11 December for 16 Scholarship recipients, consisting of nine women and seven men. The pre-departure briefing was an opportunity for the new recipients to better understand their obligations, their responsibilities and what they are entitled to under this Scholarship. It also provided guidance in preparing well for their time in Australia. HE Neil Hawkins, High Commissioner to Pakistan, attended the farewell event and expressed his interest in seeing the vital contributions made to Pakistan by these highly skilled scholars in areas such as infrastructure, public policy development, empowerment of women and the environment.
Charlie Lyons Jones, Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Pakistan, also attended the event and interacted with the Scholarship recipients, addressing their questions and concerns regarding their preparations for travelling to Australia to live and study.
Reflecting on her own time as a scholar, alumna Umme Kulsoom encouraged the recipients to take advantage of all the opportunities that come from the Scholarship, not just academically but also in terms of experiencing nature and the rich culture in Australia. The pre-departure briefing was a positive event that gave the new recipients an opportunity to network with alumni, clarify details and prepare for an exciting journey ahead.

Pakistani scholars with Mr Neil Hawkins, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan (front row, third from left).
In Sri Lanka, the 28 emerging leaders who received Australia Awards Scholarships attended their pre-departure briefing on 7–8 November and a farewell event organised by the Australian High Commission on 28 November. Sophie Gordon, Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, congratulated the recipients at the pre-departure briefing and said, “Australia is proud to invest in the skills and knowledge of emerging Sri Lankan leaders… It’s a fantastic achievement of being selected from a large pool of talented applicants from across Sri Lanka and you should feel really proud. Australia Awards scholars and alumni play a critical role in strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two countries. This experience will not only be life-changing for you as scholars, but also for your families who will accompany you.”
Emphasising the importance and greater purpose of Australia Awards, Tony Crooks, Team Leader of Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia, said, “There are two objectives. One is that, when you return to Sri Lanka, you will be a change-agent to make positive development contributions to Sri Lanka. And the second is that you will make, and you will continue to engage in, relationships with Australia and with Australians. So, while you have won this Scholarship… you have won it, but it’s not for you. It’s for your country; it’s for Sri Lanka. And you will be the mechanism. You will be the tool through which Australia and Sri Lanka realise the objectives of the program.”

Outgoing Sri Lankan scholars pictured with Mr Paul Stephens, Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka (front row, middle), Sophie Gordon, Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka (back row, second from right) and other representatives from the High Commission.