Media Release
The Australia Korea Foundation (AKF) announced on 6 March
the establishment of an annual scholarship program to
strengthen Australia's engagement with the Republic of
Korea and Australia-Korea relations.
An annual grant program of $60,000, the AKF Scholarship
Program, will provide support for early career professionals,
postgraduates or later year undergraduates to undertake
research, professional development, business internships,
language and cultural studies, in the Republic of Korea.
The AKF Scholarship Program responds to the Prime
Minister's call to enhance significantly ties with the
Republic of Korea and reflects the AKF's objectives in
this area.
The announcement of the scholarship program coincides with
the visit to Australia of the President of the Republic of
Korea, HE Lee Myung-bak. Australia and the Republic of
Korea have a long-standing relationship built on trade links
and the shared experience in the Korean War. The
relationship is now broadening and includes engagement across
the community, academia, business and politics.
The AKF, established by the Australian Government in 1992,
aims to strengthen the Australia-Korea relationship through
supporting a broad range of projects that enhance contact and
exchange between the two counties and their peoples.
Major programs include a partnership program with the Korea
Foundation known as the Next Generation Leaders Program and the Australia-Korea Internship Program supported by
Korea-Australia Foundation. The AKF Board also initiated
the Australia -Korea Early Career Researchers Exchange
Program (ECRP), jointly funded by the AKF, the Australian
Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of
Technological Sciences and Engineering and their counterpart
agency in Korea, KOSEF.
Further details of AKF's program of activities can be
found at /akf/
Media Enquiries: DFAT Media Liaison - 02 6261
1555