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Do you have a degree and have you worked for at least three years? Do you feel the need to further your studies and improve your leadership potential by doing a master’s degree?
If the answer to these questions is yes and you are working in the agricultural, mining, energy or public policy fields, then you might want to take a closer look at Australia.
The reason? The Australian government offers scholarships to South African professionals through its Australia Awards development partnership with South Africa.
Scholarships are for professionals in three main fields
. Agricultural productivity, which includes food security, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture;
. Extractives – this includes mining, minerals, energy and resources management; and
. Public policy, which includes public administration, public health policy and international trade and development.
Adam McCarthy, Australian high commissioner to South Africa, says: “The Australia Awards in South Africa focus on areas that are essential to supporting sustainable economic growth and align with the South African government’s policy priorities, including those outlined in the National Development Plan.
“Australia has developed one of the most efficient and innovative agricultural sectors in the world despite, or perhaps because of, challenging ecological conditions that are comparable to conditions in many African countries,” he said.
“Australia is also renowned for being one of the world’s leading extractive and energy producers.
“As such, it is uniquely placed to provide high-quality master’s-level and specialised postgraduate training to South African professionals in these areas.
“We now have more than 200 alumni in South Africa, many of whom are in senior leadership positions and positively shaping their country’s future,” he added.
One of the alumni is Kenny Mabaso, who did his master of science degree in environmental management at Victoria University in Melbourne in 2007.
This is what he had to say about studying down under: “Before going to Australia, I had limited research experience in my field of practice. The master of science degree, which I obtained, and the research skills acquired in the process, have helped me become a better water-quality scientist at the national department of water and sanitation.”
How to apply
Go to the website australiaawardsafrica.org and start by watching the application video.
From there, you will be guided through the application process.
The closing date for applications is November 30 this year.
Where can you study?
In your application, you can give two options for the university of your choice in Australia.
The best thing to do is some research on where the universities are and what the cities they are based in are like.
You will be spending two years at the university of your choice, so you need to make sure you are happy with your choice.
The website gives you the choice of universities you can attend.
You can then check them out on Google and see the area where you will be living.
Things you need to know before applying
. You need to hold a relevant undergraduate degree.
. You need to have three years’ work experience in your field.
. All courses are presented in English, so you need a good working knowledge of the language.
. All your study, accommodation and travel costs are covered.
. Your basic medical costs are also covered
