14 High Profile Australian Alumni From 14 African Countries Have Been Selected To Become ‘Alumni Ambassadors’ For Australia

Australia’s scholarship program, the Australia Awards, promotes development by providing tertiary education scholarship and other training opportunities to Africans. Since 2009 4,966 Africans have received Australia Awards scholarships.

The Ambassadors met in Accra from 3-5 June to learn about their new role. Speaking at a reception held on 3 June, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Ms Joanna Adamson, noted that “The Alumni Ambassadors are key to driving and enhancing the relationships between Australia and African countries as they promote Australia as an active partner in African development and disseminate information about the Awards.”

Incoming Alumni Ambassador to Ghana, Lydia Achel, added, “Africa is always in need of skills development and it is important that African professionals know of, and take advantage of, the opportunities that the Australian Government offers through the Australia Awards program. I am excited to be able to assist peers in my new role.”

The 14 incoming Alumni Ambassadors nominated to serve a one-year term in 2015-16 are: Onameditse Ntshese (Botswana), Jean Atangana (Cameroon), Martin Tiehe (Côte d’Ivoire), Esubalew Birhanu (Ethiopia), Lydia Achel (Ghana), Anne Mwangi (Kenya), Nantenaina Rasolonirina (Madagascar), Kevin Koonjul (Mauritius), Ana Charles (Mozambique), Chikezie Isiguzo (Nigeria), Rokyaha Samba Ep Diene (Senegal), Magezi Mabaso (South Africa), Pamela Levira (Tanzania) and Edward Kanyesigye (Uganda).

Through the Australia Awards initiative, the Australian Government offers long-term (Masters) scholarships as well as short-term Fellowships. The initiative promotes equal participation by both women and men.

The next round of Australia Awards scholarships opens on 1 September 2015.

More information can be found at: www.australiaawardsafrica.org