Information for awards commencing in 2014

Australia Awards in Bangladesh

Bangladeshs strong economic performance is not yet benefiting the population equally. While progress against development indicators over the last 20 years in Bangladesh has been impressive, poverty levels remain high at 43 per cent of the population. Australias aid program to Bangladesh will focus on areas in which we have experience, credibility and the potential to make the greatest impact. Our core sectors will be education, health, social protection and climate change. These have been identified as some of the most critical areas affecting further development progress in Bangladesh. Australia Awards are administered by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and align with Australias development assistance in Bangladesh, targeting human resource gaps in priority sectors. The Awards aim to provide successful applicants with the skills and knowledge to drive change and influence economic and social development. AusAID will assess applicants for their professional and personal qualities, academic competence and, most importantly, their potential to impact on development challenges in Bangladesh. AusAID offers awards on the basis of merit, transparency and equal access. We strongly encourage applications from women, people with disability, and people from ethnic minority groups. At least 50 per cent of AusAIDs Australia Awards are offered to women.
Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

Bangladesh

Priority sectors
The priority areas of study for AusAIDs Australia Awards in Bangladesh are: Government of Bangladesh: For details please click on this link: http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/gob For 2014 Intake, a select number of scholarships will be given to Government of Bangladesh health sector professionals. For details, click on this link: http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/gob/health ICDDR,B: For details, click on this link: http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/icddrb BRAC: For details, click on this link: http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/brac Ethnic Minority: For details, click on this link: http://southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh/indigenous

Level of study
Australia Awards Scholarships These are long-term scholarships providing citizens of Bangladesh with opportunities to obtain postgraduate qualifications at Australian tertiary institutions. The scholarships enable awardees to develop higher professional and technical knowledge and build links with individuals and institutions within the region and Australia. In Bangladesh, the Australia Awards Scholarships are targeted to employees in the Government of Bangladesh
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to assist with developing the human resources base of the Bangladesh Civil Service. For 2014 Intake, Government of Bangladesh health professionals are encouraged to apply. The awards also target staff from ICDDR,B and BRAC to develop skills, expertise and the broader indigenous population of Bangladesh. Scholarships are offered at Masters level only. Australia Awards Leadership Program Up to 200 outstanding Australia Awards Scholarship awardees across the globe will be offered places in the Leadership for Development Program. There is no separate application process for this supplementary award. The Leadership for Development Program will bring awardees together in Australia for leadership training, development discussions and the chance to build valuable networks.

than 5.5. If applicants from these groups submit applications with lower IELTS or TOEFL scores, they must meet the standard English language requirement of their course, if offered an Australia Award. Applicants must have at least two years work experience in a field relevant to their proposed course of study. Regional Awards for Water Management In addition to the priority study areas identified above under Australia Awards Scholarships for Intake 2014 in Bangladesh, there will be awards offered in the area of water management. Awards will be at the Masters level, and all general and country specific eligibility criteria will apply. Applicants from relevant target organizations/agencies working in water resource management and related fields can apply.

Eligibility criteria
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements detailed in the Scholarships Policy Handbook, available at:

Special conditions
Applicants must also meet the following country specific conditions: Recipients of awards are required to return to Bangladesh for at least two years after completing their studies. Awards for 2014 must be taken up in that year. They cannot be transferred to a future year.

http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australiaawards/Documents/scholar-handbook.pdf

In addition, applicants must also meet the following requirements, specific to Bangladesh: An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 (or TOEFL paper-based test score of at least 580, or computer-based score of at least 237 or an internet-based score of at least 92). Scores must be valid at 1 January 2014 and must be submitted with applications. Women, applicants with disabilities and ethnic minority applicants, will be considered with an overall IELTS band of at least 6.0 with no band less
Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

Application dates (for study commencing in Australia in 2014)

Opening date: Closing date: 1 February 2013 30 April 2013

Applications or supporting documents received after this date will not be considered.
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IELTS or TOEFL certificates

The application process

Online applications Apply online at: https://oasis.ausaid.gov.au We strongly advise applicants to apply online and to do so well before the closing date. The online application facility (OASIS) experiences peak usage in the days leading up to the closing date and applicants may experience delays. Hardcopy applications If it is not possible to lodge an application online, contact the Bangladesh SASP office for assistance for a hard-copy of the application forms. This needs to be done well in advance of the application deadline.
Certificate of special achievements or merit Academic Referee Reports (with seal: 2 reports for Masters by Research applicants; 1 for Masters by Coursework applicants) Employment Referee report with seal( Same template as above) Curriculum Vitae

Proof of English language proficiency Other Document

Yes

Yes

Referee Report (click here for the template)

No

Referee Report (click here for the template) Other Document (click here for the template) Other Document

No

No

Supporting documents
To meet eligibility requirements, the following documents must be uploaded with application forms. Some must be notarized. Check with the Bangladesh SASP office to clarify required documents and notarization requirements. Document type
Passport

Research proposal for Masters by research applications) Development Impact Plan (DIP)

No

Other document (click here for the template)

No

The selection process

The selection process involves the following stages: applications are screened against the published eligibility criteria; eligible applications are assessed independently for academic qualifications, supporting statements, contribution to development in Bangladesh, English language proficiency and work experience; successful applicants are short-listed for interview by a panel comprising representatives from AusAID, Government of Bangladesh and an independent consultant. Applicants also complete a writing exercise.
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OASIS type
Proof of citizenship Degree Certificate

Notarized
Yes

Tertiary degree certificates (Bachelors and Masters level) Academic grades (Bachelors and Masters level)

Yes

Academic Transcript

Yes

Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

Further information
Further information about AusAIDs Australia Awards can be found at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australia-awards The following websites provide valuable information background and preparatory information about the Australia Awards and studying in Australia. Australia Awards: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/australiaawards/Pages/default.aspx AusAID: http://www.ausaid.gov.au Handbook:http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/ Pages/scholar-handbook.aspx Studying in Australia: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au Visa requirements: http://www.immi.gov.au Study programs and universities offering courses available to international students: https://cricos.deewr.gov.au IELTS examinations: http://www.ielts.org TOEFL test options: http://www.ets.org/toefl

Contact details
Organisation: Address: Telephone: Mobile: South Asia Scholarships Program (SASP) Coffey International DevelopmentLiaison Office 5th Floor, Plot # 4, Road # 12, Block-J Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh +8804478004423, +8804478004424 01730338495

Email: bangladesh@southasiascholarships.org Website: http://www.southasiascholarships.org

For specific information about application processes, visit the South Asia Scholarships Program (SASP) website at: www.southasiascholarships.org/bangladesh

Bangladesh: information for awards commencing in 2014

February 2013