PRESS RELEASE
AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY VIENTIANE
As part of International Women’s Day Celebrations for 2012, the Australian Embassy Vientiane has organised a competition for the design of Comic Books on the theme “Gender Equality in My Family”. Written by students of Sathid High School and Vientiane High School the books will be on display at Vientiane College (23 Singha Road, Bane Phonexay) from 3 to 11 February (8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm on Saturday) for members of the public to cast their votes to select the winning entries.
Winners of the competition will be announced at a special Awards Ceremony at the Don Chan Palace Hotel on 2 March. Prizes include laptop computers, book vouchers, and courses in information technology and English language at Vientiane College.
The objective of the competition is to promote awareness of gender equality among young people and to celebrate the 101st International Women’s Day in March 2012 as well as the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Laos and Australia.
In his welcoming remarks to open the exhibition on Friday 3 February, Mr Denley Pike, Managing Director of Vientiane College said “This competition is an opportunity for teenagers, who are the future of the country, to think about what they see in their daily life in their family and about gender equality - especially the division of work and decision-making between mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters. Gender involves both males and females and awareness of its importance is vital to the development of Lao civil society.”The opening of the exhibition was attended by H.E. Ms Lynda Worthaisong, Australian Ambassador to Laos and representative from Lao NCAW-Secretariat.
For further information please contact
Manivanh Phoumavong
AusAID, Australian Embassy
Tel: 353800 Ext. 141
Australia Supports Lao Nationals to Study in Australia
Australia Supports Lao Nationals to Study in AustraliaADS 2011
The Australian Government has been providing scholarships for tertiary education in Australia for more than 20 years to assist Lao PDR to meet its human resource needs.
Since the inception of the Australian Scholarships Program more than 900 awardees have successfully gained tertiary qualifications in Australia and returned to apply their new skills in Lao PDR.
At the ceremony for the Australian scholarship awardees held at Vientiane College on Wednesday 1st September, Dr Michele Forster, Australian Ambassador to Laos, said “You were selected from around 1000 applicants in a very competitive process. You are the cream of the crop; and I know that you will take up your scholarship responsibilities and make an important contribution to Lao PDR’s development when you return”
Dr Forster wished all awardees good luck with their studies and urged the new ADS awardees to embrace the challenges ahead as they commence their studies in Australia.
Media contacts:
Ms. Manithda Sithimolada
Senior Program Officer
AusAID, Australian Embassy
Tel: 353800 Ext. 226
ADS 2010
The Australian Government has been providing scholarships for tertiary education in Australia for more than 20 years to assist Lao PDR to meet its goals in education, economic and social development and human resource needs.
Since the inception of the Australian Scholarships Program more than 850 awardees have successfully gained tertiary qualifications in Australia and returned to apply their new skills in Lao PDR.
This year 20 scholarships were given to Lao Government employees and 20 scholarships awarded in the open category.
Eight of the awardees achieved the required academic scores which will enable them to commence study in Australia in July 2010. The remaining awardees will undertake a one-year preparation course at Vientiane College before commencing study in Australia in January 2011.
At the congratulatory ceremony held at Vientiane College on Monday 28 September, Mr Phillip Molloy, Chargé d’Affaires, Australian Embassy said “ADS scholars are particularly valued for their high level of analytical and critical thinking skills. Many former Lao scholars are now in senior decision making positions in government, international organisations and the private sector and they make a real difference to driving change and influencing development outcomes in Lao PDR.”
Mr Molloy wished all awardees good luck with their studies and urged the new ADS awardees to embrace the challenges ahead as they commence their studies in Australia.
ADS 2009
This year, fourteen awardees have achieved required academic scores which will enable them to commence study in Australia in January 2009; the remaining awardees will undertake a one year preparation course at VientianeCollege before commencing study in Australia in January 20.At the congratulatory ceremony held at Vientiane College on Wednesday 8 October, the Australian Ambassador, Dr Michele Forster said “ADS scholars are particularly valued for their high level of analytical and critical thinking skills. Many former Lao scholars are now in senior decision making positions in government, international organisations and the private sector and now they can make a real difference to driving change and influencing development outcomes in Lao PDR.”
Dr Forster wished all awardees good luck with their studies and urged the new ADS awardees to embrace the challenges ahead as they commence their studies in Australia.