Information for awards commencing in 2014

Australia Awards in Sri Lanka

Australias development assistance program in Sri Lanka primarily focuses on health, education and sustainable economic developmentwith effective governance a cross-cutting theme for all aid in Sri Lanka. AusAIDs Australia Awards are aligned with Australias development assistance program in Sri Lanka, designed to build both government and non-government sector capacity in bilaterally agreed sectors of sustainable economic growth, education and health. They aim to provide awardees with skills and knowledge to drive change and influence economic and social development. They develop capacity and leadership skills so that individuals can contribute to development in Sri Lanka and the region and build people-to-people links at the individual, institutional and country levels. AusAID will assess applicants for their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Sri Lanka. AusAID offers awards on the basis of merit, transparency and equal access. Applications from women, people with disabilities and people working for the development of lagging areas namely the North, East, Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces are strongly encouraged.

SRI LANKA

Priority sectors and fields of study

This table outlines the priority sectors and fields of study for AusAIDs Australia Awards in Sri Lanka. Priority Theme Sustainable Economic Growth Fields of study* Infrastructure, technical vocational education & training (TVET), inclusive economic growth, rural development, public financial management, development economics Inclusive, quality education at Primary and Secondary levels Water and sanitation, nutrition of vulnerable groups

Education Health

*Further details of priority fields of study will be available in the South Asia Scholarship Program (SASP) website

Level of study
Australia Awards Scholarships (formerly Australian Development Scholarships) These are long-term awards providing citizens of Sri Lanka with opportunities to obtain tertiary qualifications at Australian institutions. Awards are for postgraduate studies at Masters level for a maximum of two years.

Sri Lanka: Information for awards commencing in 2014

November 2012

Australia Awards Leadership Program (formerly Australian Leadership Award Scholarships) Up to 200 outstanding Australia Awards Scholarship recipients across the globe will be offered a place in the Australia Awards Leadership Program in addition to their scholarship. There is no separate application process. The Leadership Program will bring awardees together in Australia for leadership training, development discussions and the chance to build valuable networks.

Applicants must not be currently studying at a university abroad.

Application dates (for study commencing in Australia in 2014)

Opening date: 1 February 2013 Closing date: 30 April 2013

Applications or supporting documents received after this date will not be considered.

Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements detailed in the Scholarships Policy Handbook, available at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/scholarhandbook.aspx Applicants must also meet the following specific requirements for Sri Lanka: They must be employed in the public or private sector. o Public sector employees must have at least three years work experience with two years in a field relevant to the proposed course of study and be confirmed in their positions. Private sector employees must have at least three years work experience in a field relevant to the proposed course of study.

The application process

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications online at: https://oasis.ausaid.gov.au Applicants submitting online should do so well before the closing date. The online application facility (OASIS) experiences peak usage in the days leading up to the closing date and applicants may experience delays. Hardcopy applications If it is not possible to lodge an application online, contact the Australia Awards office in Sri Lanka for assistance well in advance.

Supporting documents
To meet eligibility requirements, the following documents must be uploaded with application forms (see table on next page). Some must be notarized. Check with the the Australia Awards office in Sri Lanka to clarify required documents and notarization requirements.

Applicants must not have previously received any Sri Lankan or overseas government-funded award (including AusAID scholarships) for long-term academic studies in a foreign country. Long-term academic studies are defined as one year or longer in duration.
Sri Lanka: Information for awards commencing in 2014

November 2012

Document type One of birth certificate/ Passport/National ID/ Driving licence Tertiary degree certificates Academic grades for university qualifications* IELTS or TOEFL certificate

OASIS type Proof of citizenship Degree certificate Academic transcript Proof of English language proficiency Other document Referee report Other document Other document Other document

Notarized Yes

Special Conditions
Applicants from the public sector must obtain necessary approvals from their Ministries if selected for an interview. Applicants wishing to undertake Masters by Research must identify a supervisor and provide evidence of university support for their research programs by the time of application. Recipients of awards must return to Sri Lanka for at least two years after completing their studies. Scholarships awarded for 2014 must be taken in that year. They cannot be transferred to a future year.

Yes Yes Yes

Certificates of special achievement or merit Two academic referee reports (with seal) Research proposal** Employment Letter *** Police or security clearance certificate from workplace or permanent address Development Impact Plan Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Yes No No No No

The selection process

The selection process includes an interview and takes into account applicants experience in the field for which they are applying and capacity for overall development of Sri Lanka from their intended knowledge and experience. Only short-listed candidates are contacted for interview.

Preparatory training
Other document Other document No No

*Applicants should request for transcripts from their universities. If universities refuse to provide transcripts direct to applicants, contact the SASP Sri Lanka office for a letter of request. Transcripts must be received by the deadline for applications. **For Master by Research applicants only. ***This letter from the applicants employer must confirm the number of years work experience and engagement in the Priority Theme and Field of Study.

Information sessions for potential applicants will be scheduled in provinces and districts during the application period. Applicants may register for information sessions through portal at www.southasiascholarships.org/sri-lanka

Further information
Further information about AusAIDs Australia Awards can be found at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australiaawards Information about visas and award entitlements and conditions can be found in the Scholarships Policy
November 2012

Sri Lanka: Information for awards commencing in 2014

Handbook, available at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/scholarhandbook.aspx More general information about the Australia Awards, AusAID and studying in Australia and can be found at: www.australiaawards.gov.au www.ausaid.gov.au http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/

Contact details
South Asia Scholarships Program (SASP) 229/2 1/1, Kirula Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka Telephone: (+94) 112369415 Fax: (+94) 112369415 Mobile: (+94) 773638958 Email: srilanka@southasiascholarships.org Website: http://www.southasiascholarships.org/sri-lanka

Sri Lanka: Information for awards commencing in 2014

November 2012