STUDYING abroad can offer benefits beyond personal growth, helping to strengthen connections between nations.
This is among the aims of the newly launched Australia Awards – Malaysia Semester Programme (AA-MSP).
A pilot initiative, it provides financial support for undergraduate and postgraduate students at Australian transnational education institutions in Malaysia to study in Australia for up to two semesters during their degrees.
Australia’s Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill said enabling more young Malaysians to travel, study and live in Australia will help broaden their international experience.
“Australia for decades has been really proud to welcome so many young Malaysians studying in Australia, most of whom return home.
“When they do, we hope they will carry a little bit of Australia for the rest of their lives and become a ‘human bridge’ between the two countries.
“That human bridge facilitates trade and economic development,” he said during the programme’s launch at the Official Residence of the Australian High Commissioner on Aug 4.
Hill said that amid the challenges facing the world today, it is more important than ever for young people to spend time getting to know one another.
“Education is the most powerful way to do that. Whether it’s a semester or two semesters, that’s a long enough time to have a meaningful understanding,” he said.
He added that the scholarship would give students who might not otherwise have the financial means an opportunity to experience studying in Australia.
The programme will also expand the country’s alumni network, which currently comprises 500,000 Malaysians who have studied in Australia, he said.
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke said financial circumstances should not be a barrier to education.
“Education is really our most important asset,” she said, adding that Australia hopes to increase the number of Malaysians studying there.
Commencing in July, the AA-MSP uses a merit-based selection process that encourages applications from students of diverse backgrounds, including different genders, cultural and linguistic groups, those with accessibility needs, and those from rural or lower socioeconomic areas.
Applicants must be studying in fields aligned with Australia’s priority cooperation themes with Malaysia, including climate, energy and sustainability, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing and engineering.
The scholarship covers international travel, accommodation and living expenses, university administration, coordination and support costs, English-language testing, visas, overseas student health cover and related insurance.
The initiative is currently open to students from Curtin University Malaysia, Monash University Malaysia and the University of Wollongong Malaysia. – By REBECCA RAJAENDRAM
