Photo: giadinh24h.com

PANO - 48 Vietnamese scholars and professionals have been selected to receive prestigious Australian Endeavour Awards for study, research and professional development in Australia in 2010, announced the Australian Embassy in Hanoi.

The total value of these awards is up to AUD 6.7 million, equivalent to 114 billion VND.

Twenty six scholars were presented with their awards at a function held at the Australian Ambassador Allaster Cox’s residence in Hanoi on 13 January 2010.

The reception was attended by Ministry of Education and Training’s Vice Minister Professor Dr Tran Quang Quy and other invited guests. The other 22 scholars will be presented awards the event in Ho Chi Minh City soon.

The Australian Endeavour Awards are selected on merit through an international competition. They develop leadership, research and academic excellence and build linkages between Australia and other Asia-Pacific countries.

Vietnamese applicants have performed exceptionally well, receiving the highest number of awards of any South East Asian country. Vietnam won the most highly competitive postgraduate awards, surpassing candidates from much larger countries.

Most notably, Vietnamese candidates won three prestigious Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Awards, from a total of only ten in the world. This is an outstanding achievement for Vietnam and the Award winners.

“The 2010 Endeavour awardees are excellent scholars and potential leaders. I believe that after their return from Australia they will apply their new skills and knowledge to contribute to Vietnam’s development” the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Mr. Allaster Cox said. 

The Endeavour Awards also provide opportunities for Australian to undertake research and professional development with Vietnamese organisations and institutions. Later this year seven Australians will take up Endeavour Awards for research and collaboration in Vietnam.

Ngoc Hung