The Department of Defence is developing a new postgraduate scholarship program for promising leaders in the countries that form the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).;
The Department’s Australia Defence Postgraduate Scholarship Program resulted from the recent ASEAN–Australia Special Summit in Sydney.
Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne (pictured) said the initiative would bring together emerging defence and security leaders from ASEAN countries and Australia.
“One representative from each ASEAN Member State will be invited to join the program each year,” Senator Payne said.
“Commencing in early 2019, it will foster cooperation and equip ASEAN practitioners further in the field of regional defence engagement through a two-year Master of Strategic Studies postgraduate degree.”
She said the program would be the first of its kind for ASEAN defence officials.
Senator Payne said it would see ASEAN’s and Australia’s best and brightest working together to share their experiences and develop their strategic thinking.
“It will help us build our collective capacity to deliver sophisticated and effective regional defence cooperation in a dynamic regional security environment,” the Minister said.
“The Scholarship exemplifies the new era in our partnership with ASEAN and strengthens Australia’s substantial and practical contribution to regional security and prosperity.”
Senator Payne said the initiative built on Australia’s longstanding, extensive program of bilateral cooperation with ASEAN partners for defence training and education.
She said more details about the program would be announced in coming months.
