THE Australian Agency for International Development is offering scholarships to 150 students from the Philippines and other countries, starting next year. Courses offered will lead to masters or doctorate degree in Australia?s leading education institutions.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said the scholarship program, known as Australian Leadership Awards, ?is a significant opportunity for high achievers in the Philippines to extend their education, strengthen their leadership skills, build networks and develop strategies to address the development challenges we share.?

Scholars will be selected on merit from a highly competitive regional pool on the basis of demonstrated leadership qualities and academic achievement, Smith said in a statement.

Study programs must relate to AusAID?s priority areas of focus, which include economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development and water and sanitation.

Australian universities are consistently ranked among the top 50 in the world by the Times Higher Education London.

Since 2007, 35 Filipinos have been awarded ALA Scholarships in various fields such as public administration, public policy, environmental and natural resource management, international trade, international law, justice and law enforcement, and disease pandemics.

Applications may be submitted until June 30. Michael Caber