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Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international students seeking a world-class education experience – and Australia has alumni from every corner of the globe.

More than 2.5 million international students have studied in Australia over the last fifty years, including more than 11,000 Papua New Guineans. More than 80,000 alumni have received Australian Government scholarships and fellowships since the Colombo Plan in the 1950s through to the Australia Awards and the New Colombo Plan today.

Australian alumni can access a range of benefits to continue their professional development and maintain connections all over the world.

Alumni Award nominations now open. Click here for more information!

Nominations Close

The 2024 Alumni Awards recognise and honor alumni of any Australian education program, who studied either in Australia or in PNG and have made an outstanding contribution to their profession, community and country. Supported by the Australian High Commission in PNG, the awards are distinguished honours for alumni who are an inspiration in their local, national and international networks.

Awards winners will receive:

• K5,000 towards professional development activities

• recognition of achievements

• enhanced professional profile and

• valuable networking opportunities that arise from receiving international recognition.

Highlighting the significant contributions made by alumni in PNG, the Alumni Awards extend and nurture the people-to-people links between PNG and Australia.

As ambassadors for Australia as a world class education destination, winners serve as an example for prospective Papua New Guinean students wishing to pursue studies in Australia.

Awards categories

Alumni of an Australian education program or PNG-Australia alumni who studied in Australia can be nominated for one of four categories.

1. Alumni of the Year

Awarded to an individual whose visionary leadership inspires others through innovation and best practice at the local, national or international level. The individual has demonstrated ethical leadership and professional integrity for the next generation of alumni.

2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award

Celebrating achievement in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship, this individual is making an outstanding contribution to society through creation of a successful enterprise, new ideas, design orproducts in their industry, innovative research or outstanding entrepreneurial leadership.

3. Woman in Leadership Award

The award is for a woman who embodies the principles of fairness, equality, equity and leadership. The alumna has made contributions to promoting one of the following areas: gender equality and women’s empowerment through leadership, decision making, women’s economic empowerment or ending violence against women and children.

4. Community Service Award

This is an award for exceptional leadership in civic, cultural and charitable or volunteer involvement. The winner will have made a demonstrable contribution to their community at a local, national, regional or international level.

5. Frontline Service Delivery Award

The individual will have performed exceptionally well in frontline service delivery in either the education or health sectors demonstrating leadership in their field ofendeavour or evidence of civic, cultural and charitable or volunteer involvement. The winner must be someone who takes initiative and goes an extra mile in service delivery on a continuous basis

All nominees should, in addition to category specific requirements, support and build links between PNG and Australia while maintaining a commitment to the principles of gender, disability and social inclusion. Achievements are judged on the nominee’s role as an individual and/or as part of a group or organisation.

Register and submit your nomination form here: https://australiaawardspng.smartygrants.com.au/awards2024

For more information email: alumni@australiaawardspng.org

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The Papua New Guinea Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA) is one of the most recognised associations in the country. Established in 2006, and with more than 5000 members, the Association provides support to Papua New Guineans who have studied in Australia or with Australian Government support in PNG.

The PNGAA keeps alumni connected with each other and with Australian institutions and people.

The PNGAAA delivers professional development training and networking services to its members. It also supports local and national sustainable development efforts through grant assistance and volunteering services.

All Australia Awards alumni receive their first year of membership free, paid by the Australian Government.

Visit the PNGAA website here for more information on opportunities and benefits: pngaaa.org

The Alumni Grant Scheme supports alumni to contribute to PNG’s economic and social development and to build strong and positive relationships with Australia.

Find out more about the Alumni Grants Scheme here.

Women alumni can access the Australia Awards Papua New Guinea Women Alumni Mentoring Initiative. The initiative provides support through mentorship to women alumni to build confidence and leadership capabilities and to help them increase their contributions to PNG’s development.

The initiative was launched in August 2020, and in its first phase had 44 women mentors and mentees from PNG’s public, private and civil society sectors participate.

Alumni Stories