Fijian Students to Benefit from New Ph.D. Scholarship Partnership in Australia

The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) has forged a new cost-sharing sponsorship alliance with Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, and soon Griffith University to provide funding for Ph.D. programs specifically for Fijian citizens in Australia.

This collaboration will see TSLS covering essential expenses, including health insurance, airfares, stipends, and other related costs. In return, Monash University will sponsor full tuition fees for 15 students, while Swinburne and Griffith universities will sponsor five students each.

The new partnership complements existing agreements with four other Australian universities, increasing the total to 39 Ph.D. scholarships available through this cost-sharing initiative. Additionally, there are 10 scholarships available for a Masters by Ph.D. program at local and New Zealand universities, bringing the overall total to 49 scholarships for the upcoming academic year. Applications for these Ph.D. programs are accepted year-round.

Professor Craig Jeffrey, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Monash University, emphasized the importance of the agreement, noting that it positions Monash as one of the largest hosts of Fijian students in Australia. He stressed that the main objective of this collaboration is to enhance the human capacity within Fiji.

Dr. Hasmukh Lal, CEO of TSLS, described this as a historic allocation of scholarships that will significantly enhance Fiji’s intellectual capital. He remarked that the cost-sharing initiative saves an average of $270,000 per student, collectively resulting in savings of $10.5 million for taxpayers.

This partnership represents a promising step forward for Fijian scholars, providing greater access to quality education and supporting the nation’s intellectual growth. The collaboration is built on strong foundations of mutual benefit and aims to foster a sustainable academic community in Fiji, shaping a positive future for its students and the country as a whole.

In summary, the partnership between TSLS and Australian universities not only offers financial relief but also paves the way for enhanced educational opportunities for Fijian students, ultimately contributing to the development and capacity building in Fiji.