Australia Awards South and West Asia

In addition to providing a world-class tertiary education, Australia Awards Scholarships offer scholars opportunities for professional development during their Scholarship period. These opportunities help scholars enhance their knowledge, skills and networks, enabling them to make a significant contribution to the development of their countries upon their return.

As a way of encouraging scholars to take advantage of these opportunities, Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia established the Scholar Champions Program in November 2023. The Scholar Champions Program recognises and rewards scholars for their engagement in activities that enhance their professional development.

By attending and participating in events organised and managed by Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia, scholars not only increase their networks, soft skills and experiences, but also accumulate points towards three Scholar Champion levels: bronze, silver and gold.

Since the inception of the Scholar Champions Program, three scholars have attained gold-level status, while ten have achieved silver-level and 55 have reached bronze-level.

The advantages of earning points include priority access to apply for exclusive scholar engagement initiatives, preferential consideration for some professional development opportunities and rewards such as a 12-month LinkedIn Premium membership for gold status.

Chanda Sunar, an alum from Nepal who completed a Master of Arts (Women’s and Gender Studies) from Flinders University, achieved Scholar Champion gold-level status before her return home in mid-2024. “Australia Awards engagement activities allowed me to grow personally and professionally rather than focus on my studies alone,” Chanda says. “I participated in trainings, workshops and events organised by Australia Awards, travelled for seminars and panel discussions, and built valuable connections during my stay in Australia.” Chanda recently completed her Master of Arts (Women’s and Gender Studies) at Flinders University.

Recent alum Chanda (far left) and scholar Rakshya (far right) with other Nepali scholars

Rakshya Risal, a current scholar from Nepal who is studying a Master of Arts (Women’s and Gender Studies) from Flinders University, achieved gold-level status through her involvement in activities which included facilitating a 2024 International Women’s Day event, presenting at the Scholars Forum in Adelaide, applying for professional development opportunities and writing a story for the Scholars Platform.  Rakshya says, “Throughout my academic and professional journey, the guidance and support from Australia Awards have been invaluable, with professional development opportunities provided for me to apply my academic learning into practice. This engagement has opened doors to new opportunities and significantly contributed to my growth.”

Current Maldivian scholar Moomina Abdullah, who has reached silver-level status in the Scholar Champions Program said, “Participating in Australia Awards activities has profoundly enriched my professional journey. I received a professional development grant which supported me to become a policy and advocacy intern at the Australian Institute of Digital Health, complementing my Master of Digital Health studies at La Trobe University. Participating in the Australia Awards Scholars Forum enhanced my networking skills and offered valuable insights from industry experts, significantly contributing to my professional growth. I am eager to return to Maldives and apply the new knowledge and experience I have gained from Australia.”

Scholar Moomina from Maldives

Kinley Namgay, a scholar from Bhutan currently pursuing a Master of International Law and Diplomacy from the Australian National University, has also achieved silver-level status. Kinley says, “Participating in professional development activities (PDAs) has enriched my Australia Awards experience. PDAs enabled me to engage with renowned Australian institutions and enhance my networking skills through seminars and conferences. These opportunities blended academic theory with real-world application resulting in meaningful linkages and professional networks, which I found highly rewarding.”

Bhutanese scholar Kinley

Current scholars can find details about the Scholar Champions Program here.

Scholars who achieved each status level by July 2024

Gold: Maldives – Muawiyath Mohamed Didi; Nepal – Rakshya Risal, Chanda Devi Sunar

Silver: Bangladesh – Khokon Suiten Murmu; Bhutan – Radhika Orari, Kinley Namgay; India – Navjot Wadhwa; Maldives – Moomina Abdullah; Mongolia – Arai Byeibitkhan; Nepal – Nikita Pradhan, Astha Acharya; Sri Lanka – Pasquel Mohottige Tilani Sugandika Kumari Liyanage, Tuan Mohammed Rushdi Cassim

Bronze: Bangladesh – Akter Shompa, Akther Sharmin, Md Junaate Kawser, Md Alimuzzaman Milon, Muhammad Shahrukh Rahman, Pronoy Chakma, Sabina Yesmin, Fariba Halim Aurin, Khan Muhammad Golam Rabbani; Bhutan – Srizana Khawash, Karma Choden, Pema Wangchuk, Samdrup Norbu, Tenzin Dorji; India – Ashwarya Tyagi, Ranjot Singh; Maldives – Adeel Shareef, Muna Adam, Aminath Samaha, Fathmath Hulwa Khaleel, Ahmed Samah; Mongolia – Amarbold Tuvdendorj, Byambanaran Batmandakh, Erdenetsetseg Dashdeleg, Munkhzul Erdenedagva; Erdeneburen Dorjpurev, Ganchuluun Munkhtur, Solongo Batnasan, Solongo Munkhtsengel, Sunder Erdenekhuyag, Tsogtbaatar Gankhuyag; Nepal – Amrit Pokhrel, Geeta Kumari Basyal, Hemraj Shahi, Jileshan Saha, Shraddha Manandhar, Sibjan Chaulagain, Teju Ram Sunar, Suchita Shrestha, Sushant Rijal, Prakriti Budha Magar; Pakistan – Abeerah Saad, Amna Awan, Saira Qayyum, Sohaib Rasheed; Sri Lanka – Pramodhi Buddhima Perera Bethmage, Halida Mohamed Mahroof, Thamarika Harshani Atukoralage, Hettiarachchige Subash Ravi Jayawardana, Thilanka Dananjani Bandara, Chandani Jayathilake, Sambavi Arulananthan, Sudharma Samanmali Karunarathna Tanaweera Arachchige, Gamaralale Gedara Ravipriya Chaminda Bandara, Shamiya Amith.