Students end Aust scholarship

SEVENTY-Three Papua New Guineans have successfully completed their Australia Awards Scholarships, Australian High Commission Counselor Education Suzanne Edgecombe says.
The graduates attended a full day workshop and networking event at the Stanley Hotel hosted by the Australia Awards in PNG.
Edgecombe, welcomed awardees and invited guests who had returned to PNG with a range of qualifications in business, health, education, governance, agriculture, transport and infrastructure.
The workshop and networking event were designed to help prepare graduates for reintegration into their respective workplaces and communities upon returning from Australia.
She congratulated the returning cohort on their achievements and encouraged them to build professional networks by maintaining strong professional and personal links with each other.
“Having strong professional networks is critical in achieving success in business. These networks will nurture an atmosphere of mutual success and assist you in making a positive contribution in whichever field of work you decide to enter,” Edgecombe said.
The Australia Awards in PNG assisted the public and private sector, as well as civil organisations and non-governmental organisations to support the skills development of working professionals in PNG.
Returning awardee, Stephanie Alopea, who graduated with a Masters in Mining and Energy Laws from the University of Western Australia, said: “It’s time to get to work, my fellow Awardees, to build a better PNG. With our degrees, we have the power to affect lives in ways we cannot possibly imagine.”