The Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS) has established a new cost-sharing sponsorship collaboration with several Australian universities, including Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, and soon, Griffith University, aimed at funding Ph.D. programs for Fijian citizens attending school in Australia.
This initiative will see the TSLS cover various costs such as health insurance, airfare, stipends, and additional expenses. In turn, Monash University will provide full tuition support for 15 students, while Swinburne and Griffith will each contribute to the education of five students.
With this latest partnership, the TSLS has expanded its existing agreements with four other Australian universities, resulting in a total of 39 Ph.D. scholarships available through this cost-sharing program. Furthermore, there are an additional 10 Ph.D. scholarships accessible under a Masters by Ph.D. scheme with local and New Zealand universities, bringing the grand total to 49 scholarships available for the upcoming academic year. Applications for Ph.D. programs can be submitted throughout the year.
Professor Craig Jeffrey, the Deputy Vice Chancellor at Monash University, expressed the importance of this collaboration, noting that it positions Monash as one of the largest hosts of Fijian scholars in Australia. The initiative aims to contribute to enhancing the educational landscape and human capacity in Fiji.
“This partnership signifies our commitment to nurturing Fiji’s intellectual growth. By working closely with TSLS, we are not only promoting education but also paving the way for a brighter future for Fiji,” Jeffrey remarked.
TSLS CEO Dr. Hasmukh Lal emphasized that this allocation of scholarships marks a historic milestone, significantly elevating Fiji’s intellectual capital. According to him, the cost-sharing model results in substantial savings, averaging $270,000 per student, which totalled around $10.5 million for taxpayers.
“The cost-sharing Ph.D. scheme represents a model of fiscal prudence, allowing us to save our taxpayers significant amounts while simultaneously expanding educational opportunities for Fijian students,” Dr. Lal stated.
With these partnerships, there is a promising outlook for Fijian students seeking higher education opportunities abroad, ultimately leading to personal growth and contributions to Fiji’s development.
Summary: TSLS announces a new partnership with Australian universities to fund Ph.D. programs for Fijian citizens, covering significant costs and offering 49 scholarships for the next academic year. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for Fijians while also providing fiscal savings for taxpayers.
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