Australia Awards Fellowship Program

Australia Awards Fellowships Program

Twenty-one Fellows from the Vietnamese Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development visited Australia (7-18 March) to network with researchers, government agencies and agriculture and aquaculture businesses.

The program entitled "Strengthening Capacity for Innovation in Agriculture/Fisheries and Rural Development in Vietnam" is funded by the Australian Government under the Australia Awards Fellowships.

This Fellowship was designed to help build capacity for innovation in agriculture and aquaculture in Vietnam. It was developed by the University of Tasmania, who secured $274,550 to run it in conjunction with University of Queensland and the University of Newcastle.

Staff from the College of Sciences and Engineering (Centre for Environment and TIA) and IMAS contributed to program delivery.

While in Tasmania, the Fellows visited local farms in the Coal River Valley as well as Huon River fisheries to see world's best practice in safe food production, transitioning from small enterprise to large-scale business and water management.

Among the places visited were Houston's farm (a major salad ingredients producer to Woolworths and Coles supermarkets), Kirkwoods Orchard and Huon aquaculture.

This work is expected to lead to the development of a cooperative framework between the Ministry and the University that will result in several training and research opportunities including undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships funded by the Government of Vietnam.

About the Australia Awards

These are prestigious international Scholarships and Fellowships funded by the Australian Government. Australia Awards Fellowships build capacity and strengthen partnerships between Australian organisations and partner organisations in eligible developing countries in support of key development and foreign affairs priorities. By providing short-term study, research and professional development opportunities in Australia, mid-career professionals and emerging leaders can tap into Australian expertise, gaining valuable skills and knowledge.