16 scholarships were granted under Australia Awards for the 2025.
High Commissioner of Australia to Maldives David Jessup hosted a reception on November 18 to congratulate and farewell the 16 new recipients of the Australia Awards scholarships, who are set to pursue their studies in Australia next year.
The reception was graced by the Chief Guest, Ibrahim Latheef, the National Security Advisor and a prominent alumni of the Australia Awards program.
Over 100 members of the Maldives Australia Alumni community had also attended the reception.
The event also saw the presence of Australia’s Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, and three Australian students currently studying in the Maldives under the New Colombo Plan.
The 16 scholarships awarded for 2025 mark a rise from the 12 granted in 2024 and 8 in 2022.
The recipients will undertake master’s level studies in fields such as finance, economics, social work, criminal law, taxation, business administration, gender in development, and public health.
Additionally, the reception served to highlight growing educational ties between Australia and the Maldives, with Maldives National University Vice Chancellor Dr Aishath Sheheneze and Dr Rhonda Di Bias from the University of Melbourne signing a memorandum of understanding to foster research cooperation, further strengthening the academic collaboration between the two nations.
The Australia Awards program, Australia’s flagship education initiative within its international development assistance, has supported over 700 Maldivians since the 1960s, with many more studying in Australia through various scholarships or as self funded students.