Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Australian Government is pleased to announce that applications for Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are now open, the Australian Embassy here said in a media release on Monday.

The program will offer up to 400 scholarships to Indonesians to study for Masters or Doctorate degrees in Australia and whose studies contribute to Indonesia`s progress.

Australia`s ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, said the Australian Development Scholarships have been an important component of the Australian Government`s overseas aid program to Indonesia since 1950s.

"Australian Development Scholarships aim to contribute to long-term human resource development goals in Indonesia and to strengthen people-to-people links between our two countries," said Ambassador Moriarty.

Australian Development Scholarships are targeted at advancing development priorities which are set each year by Australia and Indonesia. In 2012, these include Sustainable Growth and Economic management; Democracy, Justice and Good Governance; Investing in People; and Safey and Peace.

"This program is conducted in close partnership with the Indonesian government. The impact of the program is visible through the thousands of ADS alumni who have returned to Indonesia and contributed to Indonesia`s progress," said the ambassador.

An equal number of scholarships will be allocated to men and women and up to 30 per cent to people from East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Papua, West Papua and Aceh, the focus areas for Australia`s aid program.

Applications for the 2012 intake close on August 26, 2011. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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