July 12, 2019

Homeward-bound UOW students empowered to impact their nations

How developing nations are benefiting from Australia Award scholarships

They were accomplished in their respective careers before they journeyed abroad to Australia, to study at the University of Wollongong (UOW).

Leaving behind satisfying jobs, and in some cases, children and significant others, all four Australia Award scholarship recipients were driven by a desire to better themselves and make an even greater impact in the workforce in future.

The July graduates will return soon to Vanuatu, to Indonesia and to the Philippines qualified to fulfil their dreams.

Hopkins and his wife at UOW on Wednesday. Picture: Paul Jones

Hopkins Sawon from Vanuatu is a manager in Vanuatu’s Ministry of Education.

Mr Sawon undertook a Masters in Educational Leadership. He wants to address a serious gap in the education system - he says the bulk of principals and teachers in leadership positions lack managerial skills. He hopes to return to his job equipped to build the capacity of principals and teachers.

“Most of us are just teachers, we’ve been promoting them to principal’s positions, but we’re just teachers,” Mr Sawon said.

“It’s a big challenge in our country, it’s not just a personal thing, it’s a national thing; we lack managers who have some management and leadership skills.”

The majority of his classmates were Australian principals.

“I really wish this program would become a priority in my country, I wish all the principals in my country had the opportunity to go through this program,” Mr Sawon said.

“I know I will bring a great impact in our system, in our children, it’s all because of the support of the Australian government.”

Imran at UOW on Wednesday. Picture: Paul Jones

Imran from the island of Lombok in Indonesia was teaching high school physics before he enrolled in a Masters of Medical and Radiation Physics at UOW.

It has been a challenging course, and personally enriching.

“I think I’ve changed, I understand people from different cultures more,” Imran said.

“I’ve learnt to be more open-minded here and I tend to accept new ideas more easily.”

Degree in hand, he will return home to teach at a university in Lombok. There he will train undergraduate students to operate radiography machines used in hospitals.

Imran is excited about his career prospects; he hopes that one day he will land a job at BATAN, the Indonesian equivalent of ANSTO, a nuclear research facility.

Bibit and his family at UOW on Wednesday. Picture: Paul Jones

Fellow Indonesian Bibit Riyanto studied a Masters of Engineering, majoring in mining.

The government official said the Indonesian mining industry was looking to the Australian mining industry for technological solutions.

Both countries are great exporters of coal, and Mr Riyanto hopes his experience in Australia will help him to network with Australian organisations in future.

“We can arrange business to business relationships and government to government relationships between Australia and Indonesia in mining,” he said.

“We can transfer knowledge about technology, safety and methods.”

Australia has been a welcoming home for Mr Riyanto’s young family.

“I like this university and I like this city,” Mr Riyanto said.

His daughter was farewelled fondly on her last day of school in Australia.

“She’s in year three, she has a lot of friends from different cultures, from the Middle East, Australia, China,” Mr Riyanto said.

“She was very sad last week on the last day of the term, her friends had a little party for her.”

Michael and one of his best friends in Australia at UOW on Wednesday. Picture: Paul Jones

Michael Siega, a senior business development manager, studied a Masters of Education at UOW.

He has grand plans for his family-run vocational school in the Philippines.

“I wanted to champion vocational education in the Philippines, I want to redesign the curriculum of a business course,” Mr Siega said.

“The course I’m working on is heavy on English proficiency, my plan is to make sure it’s actually applicable to the learners, not just based on first world culture or Western culture.

“I will work with the authority for vocational education and submit a revised curriculum to them, hopefully on approval it will be implemented, nationwide as well.”

Mr Siega became part of the fabric of the local community in Wollongong, volunteering, joining clubs, sporting teams and becoming an international student representative, all the while, graduating with a distinction average.

 “I met new friends, I had a second family here, Wendy (from UOW’s Scholarships and Sponsorships team) was amazing in giving us the support we needed,” he said.

“Everything just works here in Australia. When I get back it’s back to traffic, a poor system, corruption in government, that’s what I’m really sad about but I’m excited to make a difference in my own little way.”

About Australia Award Scholarships

Information courtesy of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more than 60 years, Australia has invested in providing individuals from developing countries with the opportunity to undertake tertiary education in Australia.  The Australia Awards Scholarships have invested in tens of thousands of individuals, providing a high quality education and life experience in Australia.  Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious international scholarships that aim to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia’s partner countries, in line with global, bilateral and regional agreements.  The Australian Government recognises that education develop skills and knowledge, build enduring people, country and professional links, and has the power to influence positive change.  The Scholarship strives to develop leadership potential and stimulate lasting change by empowering a global network of talented individuals through high-quality education experiences.  

UOW is a proud participant in this program and today there are 30 students, four who have completed their studies and are returning home to Indonesia, Vanuatu and the Philippines.