AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
ISLAMABAD
 

Press Release

Australian High Commissioner hosts alumni of Australian higher education institutions

Australia’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Tim George hosted a reception for former students of Australian higher education institutions at his Islamabad residence on 20 May.

In welcoming the alumni, Mr George noted that there were currently more than 5000 Pakistani students studying in Australia. Mr George said ‘many Pakistani students choose Australia for their higher education studies because of the excellent reputation of Australian education institutions and the wide variety of study options available. Australia takes seriously its reputation as a safe destination for international students seeking high quality education.

‘Australia is delighted with the high quality of Pakistani students in Australia, and Pakistani students are an important factor in the strong people-to-people links between our countries. The alumni network provides a valuable opportunity to further strengthen these people-to-people links.’

In addition to private students choosing Australia for their studies, the Australian Government also offers a variety of education, research and professional development opportunities through two Australia Awards scholarship programs.

The Endeavour Awards is the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships program providing opportunities to undertake study, research and development in Australia.

The Australian Development Scholarships Program contributes to strengthening Pakistan’s human resource capacities by providing Masters-level scholarships in areas aligned with Pakistan’s development priorities. A further 100 scholarships focused on agricultural studies were announced by the Australian Prime Minister at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan summit in New York in September 2009.

20 May 2010

Contact: James McGarry, 051 835 5500