Australia Awards South and West Asia

Tsogtbaatar Gankhuyag began studying a Master of International Business at the University of Melbourne in 2022 with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship. He has recently returned to Mongolia having graduated with his degree.

Tsogtbaatar was featured as the ‘face’ of the Australia Awards promotions in Mongolia for study commencing in 2025. Prior to his return to Mongolia, we caught up with him to ask about his Scholarship journey, how it has affected his professional and personal growth, and what advice he has for prospective applicants.

Why did you apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship?

I would like to emphasise three points. Firstly, Australia is one of the world’s leading countries in terms of the quality of academic education and the safety of its working and living environments. For example, five Australian universities are among the top 100 universities in the world. Additionally, major cities such as Melbourne and Sydney are regularly included in the list of the 10 most liveable cities globally.

Secondly, compared to other reputable foreign government scholarships, this Scholarship is very suitable for applicants with families. This is because the Scholarship recipient’s spouse has the right to work full-time in Australia during their studies, and children can attend Australian schools. This greatly eases the financial burden on the family.

Thirdly, the Australia Awards Scholarship is the only scholarship that provides an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) preparation course to help you achieve the desired score. In my case, I took an IELTS preparation course with the help of the Australia Awards Scholarship to attain the scores required by the Scholarship program and the university. Additionally, before the start of classes, Scholarship recipients are enrolled in an academic English preparation course for one month, which is very helpful for successful study in the academic environment of the university.

Tsogtbaatar at his graduation at the University of Melbourne.

How has your Australia Awards Scholarship contributed to your personal and professional growth?

Personally, this Scholarship gave me the opportunity to reevaluate my work, career and life. In other words, it prompted me to rethink and change many things I had planned before coming to Australia. Upon arriving in Australia, I realised that my previous plans were more localised, and it became necessary to develop a global plan with broader and long-term perspectives.

Professionally, I was able to accumulate a wealth of new knowledge and experience. The University of Melbourne is a world-class institution ranked among the top 50 universities globally. It provides a conducive learning environment aimed at enhancing students’ knowledge and experience, grooming them to become world-class professionals. Having obtained my bachelor’s degree in Mongolia, I aspired to pursue my graduate studies in a foreign country, particularly at a top-tier university. I am grateful that the Australia Awards Scholarship afforded me this opportunity.

Moreover, the Australia Awards Scholarship offers numerous opportunities for professional development. It provides avenues for participants to engage in short-term training, forums and conferences organised by professional associations, thereby expanding their networks. In my case, I was fortunate to have been selected for two major short-term professional development opportunities, participating in the Scholars Forum in Canberra (the capital of Australia) and completing the Harvard Business School’s Entrepreneurship distance course. These experiences significantly contributed to broadening my knowledge and network.

How did you find your life in Australia outside of the university environment?

In addition to academic studies, being in Australia provided many opportunities for me and my family. For example, recipients of the Australia Awards Scholarship have the chance to participate in internships and volunteer work at some of the world’s best companies, government entities and non-government organisations, based on their interests. This helps scholars gain real-world experience in the international business environment. For instance, I was selected for my university’s Global Business Practicum program and I completed a short international internship at Superfy, a company in Dublin, Ireland, that develops sustainable technology solutions. Working alongside my team members and professor, we developed a market research and go-to-market strategy for the company’s products, targeting the North American market. It was an exciting and enriching experience that broadened my international perspective and deepened my understanding of the global business environment and workplace dynamics.

Additionally, I worked as a volunteer manager overseeing business processes and systems at Worthy Cause, a social enterprise located in Melbourne. This role aligned with my desire to give back my knowledge and experience to a social enterprise that contributes significantly to addressing social issues in Australia. The organisation provides paid work opportunities to vulnerable individuals, helping them acquire the necessary skills for long-term employment and assisting them in securing jobs.

Furthermore, I was a member of the Australian Organisation for Quality and actively participate in its Melbourne chapter. This membership has afforded me the opportunity to learn from the management practices and experiences of world-class organisations and to expand my professional network.

Lastly, my family, who accompanied me with the support of my Scholarship, also learn something new every day from Australia—about education, healthcare services, city management, commerce, service culture, road infrastructure standards, green initiatives, parks, tourism and more.

Tsogtbaatar (far right) with fellow Australia Awards scholars based in Melbourne.

What do you hope to do back in Mongolia?

Generally, Scholarship recipients formulate a Development Impact and Linkages Plan or Reintegration Plan before arriving in Australia. This plan serves as a personal strategy to contribute to Mongolia’s development by applying the knowledge and experience acquired during studies in Australia to recipients’ respective organisations and industries. With our country’s exports averaging $14 billion annually and more than 90% of that being mining products, it’s evident that our economy heavily relies on mining. Therefore, as a management consultant, my aim is to alleviate this dependency by assisting non-mining sector companies in diversifying their export opportunities and accessing international markets through alternative channels. Essentially, I plan to leverage my expertise in international business to enhance the competitiveness of Mongolian businesses on the global stage.

What advice would you give to potential Scholarship applicants?

The Australia Awards Scholarship process comprises two stages: the application and the interview. At the application stage, it’s crucial to focus on preparing all required documents meticulously and aim to submit them well in advance of the deadline. This is particularly important because the documents are submitted through an electronic system (oasis.dfat.gov.au), which may experience congestion. Personally, I faced challenges with timely submission due to this reason. Additionally, it’s essential to clearly define your purpose for studying in Australia and ensure the logical coherence of your documents, including your essay and Development Impact and Linkages Plan.

Preparation for the interview stage is equally vital. Typically, the questions in this stage are based on the materials provided during the application stage. Since the interview is conducted in English, practicing interviews in English beforehand can significantly enhance your chances of success. Many individuals reach out to me through social media seeking advice regarding the Australia Awards Scholarship. This led me to document my experiences and advice on my website to support prospective applicants. (http://www.tsogtbaatar.com). Best of luck to all future applicants!