Australian Ambassador Penny Richards with Health Minister Dr Mam Bunheng.

MORE than 50 Cambodian students will be offered scholarships to pursue their master’s or doctorate degrees in Australia this year, the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, Penny Richards, announced last week.

Applications are now open for the Australian Leadership Awards and Australian Development Scholarships to support their education costs overseas. The closing date is May 31.

Over the last 17 years, 440 students from Cambodia have been awarded the scholarships, with many returning to take up positions of leadership in all sectors, said the ambassador.

“Study has covered a broad range of areas, including health, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure and law and justice,” said Richards.

“We have more than 40 alumni working in the Ministry of Health, one of our four main areas of development cooperation with the royal government of Cambodia.

These include reducing rural poverty, improving health services, supporting infrastructure for growth, trade and travel, and promoting access to justice, she said.

Health Minister Dr Mam Bunheng said: “I hope that the 2011 Australia Awards will provide great opportunity for Cambodian people to absorb new skills, knowledge and experiences and also to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.”

For further information on the scholarships offered, please visit www.australiaawards.gov.au.