Australia Awards

Australia Awards alum Shuvra Das is applying his expertise in landscape architecture to help shape more climate-responsive futures in Bangladesh.

After completing his Master of Landscape Architecture aRMIT University, Shuvra returned to the Department of Architecture at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), where he is currently the only faculty member specialising in Landscape Architecture.

“The knowledge and skills I gained through my scholarship experience have enabled me to incorporate new content and contemporary topics into the curriculum… helping prepare students to respond more critically to the ongoing climate crisis.”

Shuvra has also launched a new design studio, Campus Future, encouraging students to adopt landscape-led, ecologically sensitive approaches to campus development and planning.

During his studies, Shuvra also received several academic honours and expanded his professional networks through the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, experiences that continue to support his work today.

Australian High Commission, Bangladesh University of Chittagong

Leading with excellence and heritage in the Philippines!

Australia Awards is proud to support PCol Byron Allatog, the new Chief of Police in Tawi-Tawi island province in Mindanao. A proud Igorot from Mountain Province, Byron is the first Philippine National Police (PNP) officer to graduate from the National Security College in The Australian National University.

Byron is now applying his Master of National Security Policy to strengthen community engagement and set new benchmarks for accountability in law enforcement.

Australia in The Philippines

🌍On World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, we introduce Alcino Chemane from Mozambique, studying a Master of Environment and Climate Emergency through Australia Awards.

With more than a decade of experience in the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, Alcino has seen firsthand how climate change affects livelihoods.

“Throughout my professional journey, I have witnessed how environmental degradation increasingly undermines food security and nutrition, particularly in vulnerable communities that depend heavily on natural resources.”

Through his studies, Alcino is building the skills to support community-based solutions that strengthen resilience and protect ecosystems.

“The time to act is now! Climate change is an ongoing global challenge that can only be addressed through collective action by individuals, communities, and governments.”

Read his story 👉🏽 https://australiaawards.com.au/advancing-climate-action/

Curtin University

Khin Won Nu is completing a Master of Public Policy at University in South Australia with the support of an Australia Awards Scholarship. Motivated by a desire to strengthen policy development and implementation in Bangladesh, Khin is building the skills she needs to make a lasting impact.

“My country needs to improve the standard and quality of policy formulation and its effective implementation,” she says.

In this video and story, Khin reflects on her experience as a scholar, from world-class education and supportive learning environments, to cultural exchange and connection in Australia’s multicultural society.

📽️ Watch Khin’s story and learn how she is working towards positive change: https://australiaawardsbangladesh.org/stories/khin-won-nu/

Australian High Commission, Bangladesh

As part of our commitment to Reconciliation during National Reconciliation Week, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade South Australia State Office recently took two groups of Australia Awards scholars to the South Australian Museum’s Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery.

Australia Awards scholarships provide opportunities to emerging leaders from our region to undertake study in Australia to drive change and contribute to development in their home countries.

The tour was a way to showcase Australian, and particularly South Australian Aboriginal culture and history to students studying at both Adelaide University and Flinders University. The fantastic tours were guided Haydyn Bromley of Bookabee Australia, and left both scholars and DFAT staff in awe of the incredible history of First Nations people in South Australia.

Tandin Wangmo, Executive Director of the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD), is using her Australia Awards Short Course experience to strengthen civic responsibility and gender‑inclusive leadership in Bhutan.

Drawing on nearly two decades in civil service, she now leads BCMD’s youth, media, governance, and gender programs, tackling challenges such as limited resources, high attrition, and structural barriers to women’s participation. Under her leadership, BCMD has introduced tailored training, mentorship, and community engagement initiatives to prepare aspiring women leaders for Bhutan’s 2027 local government elections, promoting inclusive decision‑making and sustainable democratic development.

Find out more about Tandin 👉 https://australiaawardsbhutan.org/stories/tandin-wangmo/

Thirty Papua New Guinean educators who strengthened their skills in STEM education through a Graduate Certificate in Education (STEM) in 2025 are now applying their learnings in schools across Papua New Guinea.

Delivered by Curtin University through a Somare-Whitlam Scholarship, the Short Course built skills in STEM teaching, leadership, digital technologies and inclusive education.

Following the program’s success, 20 scholars are continuing their studies in 2026 through a Master of Education Short Course pathway. The initiative has also led to new opportunities through the Australia Awards Higher Education Partnerships between Curtin University and the Pacific Adventist University to establish a Digital Learning and Innovation Centre for Inclusive Education.

During their time in Australia, the cohort met Minister Anne Aly and visited Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), enjoying a memorable “quokka selfie”.

Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea

Meet Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong from Vietnam — an IT Risk and Compliance Director and Australia Awards Fellow. Hosted by RMIT University, she gained more than technical knowledge, with her Fellowship reshaping how she sees cyber security.

“I initially saw the Fellowship as a chance to deepen my technical understanding of cyber security. What I experienced, however, went far beyond that. It reshaped how I connect risk, technology, and governance, and helped me see cyber security not just as a control function, but as a strategic enabler for organisations.”

Since returning home, Phuong has strengthened IT governance, adopted a more strategic, risk-based approach, and shared her knowledge with her organisation.

Australia Awards Fellowships give leaders like Phuong the opportunity to learn from Australian expertise, build networks, and strengthen institutions to advance development outcomes.

People-to-people connections are at the heart of the Australia - Samoa relationship.

During her recent visit, the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Hon. Sam Mostyn, met with inspiring Australia Awards alumni Iliganoa Feagaimaalii Soti Mapi, reigning Miss Samoa and Justice Niava Mata Keli Tuatagaloa, Supreme Court Judge, who are shaping Samoa’s future.

Australia Awards alumni continue to play a vital role in building strong professional and community links between Australia and Samoa. Their achievements highlight the lasting impact of investment in education and demonstrate a shared commitment to Samoa’s development through skills, leadership and service.

Australian High Commission, Samoa

The day after World Oceans Day, we reflect on this year’s theme: Reimagine. Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean.

For Patricia Rachel Mahubessy from Indonesia, an Australia Awards alumna who studied a Graduate Diploma in Marine Science at The University of Western Australia, this reimagining is deeply personal and grounded in impact.

“The ocean isn’t just an environment. It is how millions of Indonesians survive. It is the kitchen of our weather, yet still treated as a separate world. My Australia Awards scholarship pushed me to bridge that gap, because beyond accuracy, what truly matters is whether that knowledge reaches the people who need it most.”

As the world calls for a renewed relationship with our oceans, scholars like Patricia are helping to close the distance by transforming knowledge into action and contributing to a more sustainable future for communities across the Indo-Pacific.

Australian Embassy - Jakarta, Indonesia