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Since 1960, over 3,500 students from
Africa have studied at Australian
universities under scholarship programs
funded by the Australian Government.
Currently, the Australian Development
Scholarship program in Africa is
mobilizing its 2008 intake of
scholarship students. The 2008 intake
will see an additional 98 scholarship
candidates from twelve countries in east
and southern Africa attending various
institutions in Australia. The courses
they will study are at masters level and
cover a variety of fields including health,
agriculture, environment, law and public
administration.
We wish them all well in their studies
over the next two years.
We are very proud of the impact our
scholarship program has on the careers
of scholarship recipients and the
development of the countries from which
they come. For instance, 74% of
scholarship recipients from Africa
surveyed in 2005 indicated they had
received a promotion since returning
from the scholarships (68% of these are
males and 81% females). As such, we
see the scholarship program as an
important part of relationship building
between Australia and partner countries.
Recognizing this, we are introducing this
year a number of measures to
support the recipients of our
scholarships when they return to
their own countries. As part of the
annual alumni functions, we will be
offering alumni the chance to
attend short (one or two day)
executive level courses on public
sector management and leadership.
We will also be offering alumni the
opportunity to apply for further
alumni-only scholarship study
opportunities in Australia. And we
will be giving the alumni the
opportunity to apply to the
Australian Government’s small
grants scheme for support in
introducing innovations in their
workplaces as a results of their
studies in Australia. Further
information on these measures will
be sent to registered alumni in the
near future.
We urge all alumni to register with
us via the ‘Alumni’ page of the
A D S A f r i c a w e b s i t e
www.adsafrica.com.au or by
contacting GRM International on
phone +27 12 362 4360 or fax +27
12 362 4361.
Matthew Williams
AusAID Head in Africa speaks
ADS AFRICA
S E P T E M B E R I S S U E 4
AusAID Head in Africa speaks 1
ADS Africa: An extended program and a new office
2
Study in Australia and make things happen at home
3
Experience of Moshiane Maseko in Australia
4
Inside this issue:
It is with great pleasure that we can inform our readers
that the ADS contract between AusAID and GRM
International is being extended for another two years.
Our program is growing steadily and for the 2008-
intake our student numbers will increase by 25%.
Of course the expansion required more hands on deck
and therefore we were in the fortunate position to have
appointed Leanne as Program Coordinator and Otsile
and Mpai as Program Assistants. We are also
expecting one more staff member to join us in
November 2007. Since the office we previously
occupied was getting too small, we also had to move
to larger premises in the building next to GRM. Our
new open plan office has a friendly environment with
a lovely balcony to go out and take in fresh African
air.
Other exciting news is that the Republics of Botswana
and Rwanda will now be included in our group,
bringing the number of participating countries to 12.
Our ADS Africa countries are now Botswana, Kenya,
Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda,
South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
ADS Africa New Office
A D S A F R I C A I S S U E 4
From left, sitting: Lerato Tau, Otsile Modise and Leanne van Zyl;
from left, standing: Mpai Mphungoa and Elsa-Marie van Schalkwyk.
Welcome on board to Leanne who joined in August as a Program Coordinator, Otsile and
Mpai in June as Programme Assistants.
To make things a little bit easier we have decided to
mult-skill by dividing the countries amongst the staff.
Leanne will be responsible for Kenya, Rwanda ,
Tanzania and Uganda; Lerato for Lesotho, Namibia and
South Africa; Otsile for Botswana, Malawi and Zambia
and Mpai for Mozambique and Swaziland.
Exciting expansions and brand new office
notwithstanding, the ADS team has pulled together and
we are happy to announce that once again we have
submitted all our ADS applications to the institutions
before the deadline date of 15 September 2007!
Kind regards
Elsa-Marie van Schalkwyk
ADS Africa Program Manager
I am a Tanzanian pursuing a Masters in Environmental
Management at Flinders University, Adelaide, South
Australia.
The introductory Academic Program (IPA) at the start of
my studies as an AusAID student was most helpful to
assist me to catch up with the Australian education
system and the lifestyle in Australia.
The well developed Australian education system allows
one to have exposure to various learning mediums such
as seminars, workshops, tutorials, excursions and a wide
range of lecture media facilities.
Various excursions have given me the practical
experience to learn new technologies and management of
wetlands, beaches, marine environment as well as
environmentally sustainable housing. The Australian
policy for Ecologically Sustainable Development is
aimed at reducing the country’s ecological footprint at a
significant level.
Australian cities have efficient infrastructure systems in
place with great accessibility to water supplies, hospitals,
schools and a very efficient public transport system. The
convenient public transport is not only effective but also
allows the Australian Government to achieve its goal for
cutting off greenhouse gas emissions to their optimum
levels.
In the 9-month period that I have been in Australia I
have had the opportunity to learn and experience various
cultures, lifestyles and values from people of different
backgrounds such as America, Asia, Europe and other
African countries.
Study in Australia and make things happen at home!!
A D S A F R I C A I S S U E 4
I would like to take this opportunity to send my
gratitude to the Australian Government for offering me
this turning point in my life through an ADS
Scholarship. My thanks also go out to those who were
involved in the processing of my application and travel
arrangements.
I can truly say I will return to Tanzania from this
opportunity to help assist in the implementation of my
country’s millennium goals to alleviate poverty and
fostering economic growth through environment
management.
From Left to right: International student from Laos,
Elaine Kane (AusAID Liaison Officer) and Mr. Bertin
Mushy (AusAID Student).
Bertin Mushy, Flinders University
Academic and social challenges
Australia is a paperless environment. Most of the
correspondence and school related issues are done
electronically. I struggled in the beginning but soon
found the hang of it. Another challenge was time
constraints, as I had to design a model regarding my
studies, which was unfamiliar to me. On the social side
it was not easy to adapt to the very hot weather in
Brisbane. The dress code of mini-skirts and shorts was
not easy to wear, but when the heat was at its highest
peak, I followed suit.
To wrap up, I would like to thank God, AusAID, the
DTI and the people who happened to cross my path for
my newly acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes to
the social, political and economical environment which
will allow me to contribute successfully to South
Africa.
From Left: Kelly Lin, Dr Noel Scott and Moshiane
Maseko, Australian National University.
Organizations have visions, missions, people, material
as well as physical resources, cultures, values, long
and short term goals. As a result, organizational
structures are designed to achieve the goals of the
organization in a focused and cost effective way.
Therefore, it is important to continuously equip and
strengthen employees knowledge and skills. This
practice holds particular significance in trying to adapt
to the ever challenging work situation and modern
terms.
The AusAID scholarship was an answer to the above
scenario, which was facilitated by the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI), South Africa Learning
Centre and AdsAfrica, Pretoria. The recipient of this
invitation was Moshiane Maseko, and herewith
follows my humble story coupled with experiences to
the culture, social and academic challenges.
Embrace cultural challenges with compassion:
Being the first time for me, traveling abroad, was a
cultural shock in a way. I was exposed to different
ethnic groups, e.g. Latinos, Tonga, Vanuatu Island
people, Indigenous Fijians, Asians etc. I became open
minded and started to accept different cultures and
befriended them. I started to learn a little bit of the
Island language.
Spiritual Growth
I was lucky enough to meet a person who exposed me
to a deeper meaning of living, reading the bible and
prayer groups. These made my stay in Australia more
meaningful. Different religions such as Muslim and
Hindus are now closer to me and I learned the power
of the Holy Spirit.
A D S A F R I C A
Experiences from Australia
From Left to right: Kelly Lin, Dr Noel Scott and Mrs. Moshiane
Maseko (ADS AKelly Lin
frica AlumnuKelly Lin
s)
I S S U E 4
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