AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS (ADS)
As part of the Government of Australia’s ongoing commitment to the human resource development of Pakistan, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Australian Aid offers fifteen scholarships for each academic year.
These scholarships are available to all citizens of Pakistan (who currently reside for the complete year before applying for the scholarship) for Master-level study in Australia. Fifty per cent of the scholarships are reserved for female candidates. High priority is given to those candidates who have not studied overseas at the post-graduate level.
Priority Areas
Scholarships will be awarded in the priority areas of the Pakistan-Australia Development Cooperation Program, which are:
• Education (e.g. Primary Teacher Education, Educational Administration);
• Health (e.g. Public Health, Community Health, Maternal and Child Health);
• Environment (e.g. Water Resource Management);
• Governance (e.g. Public Administration, Development Management);
• Agriculture (e.g. Rural Management, Horticulture, Plant Protection).
For more information on the Pakistan-Australia Development Cooperation Program, please visit the Pakistan country information on the DFAT-Australian Aid website.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must:
• be Pakistani citizens (dual nationals are not eligible) and not have permanent residence in Australia or New Zealand;
• not be married or engaged to a person who is eligible to hold Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residence;
• satisfy Australian Government requirements for international student entry to Australia (health, character etc.);
• not hold another scholarship;
• not have held a foreign scholarship in the 24 months preceding the application (24 months are calculated from the date of arrival back in Pakistan to the closing date for receipt of applications);
• be applying to commence a new course of study and not be seeking support for a course already commenced in Australia (on-going study programs will not be supported);
• be able to take up the scholarship in the year for which it is offered (deferrals are not available); and
• satisfy the admission requirements of the Australian tertiary institution in which the course is to be undertaken.
Candidates must also:
• be less than 40 years of age;
• be seeking a course relevant to their current employment;
• have a minimum of two years relevant work experience;
• have completed sixteen years of education;
• have a high standard of academic background with a suitable level of previous study and a minimum of 60 per cent average grades to ensure that they are capable of successfully undertaking the proposed course of study in the minimum time; and
• have a satisfactory command over the English Language as indicated by at least an overall current IELTS Band of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Duration
The scholarships are for up to two years Masters’ study in Australia.
Value
ADS cover the full cost of study in Australia, including tuition fee, stipend, establishment allowance and travel cost.
For more information on the Scholarship Benefits, please visit the DFAT-Australian Aid website.
How to Apply
The deadline for receipt of applications for the academic year 2009 was 04 May 2008.
The scholarships for January 2010 intake will be advertised in February/March 2009.
Note
Scholarship holders should note that they are required to return to Pakistan and take up a position that makes use of the study for a minimum period of two years. Scholarship awards must be taken up in the same year and cannot be transferred to the next academic year.