Development assistance in Kiribati
Overview
Australia is helping Kiribati to build a skilled workforce through scholarships.
The Australia Awards provide opportunities for I-Kiribati students to study at tertiary institutions in Australia and the Pacific. The awards enable students to gain the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to their and Kiribati's development.
Profile: Teretia Tokam
Ms Teretia Tokam from Kiribati is an Australia Awards alumnus, having completed a Master of Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development at the Australian National University in Canberra. Teretia is an inspiring advocate for gender equality and ending violence against women and children in Kiribati.
Teretia is currently the Coordinator of the Kiribati Women and Children Support Centre. She is also a member of the Pacific Women Lead program Governance Board, a member of the Pacific regional network to combat violence against women and a Board member of Women, Leading and Influencing.
Teretia played a key role in the development of the Kiribati Family Peace Act 2014 and has previously worked as the Kiribati National Coordinator on Ending Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
Profile: Dr Naomi Biribo
Dr Naomi Biribo from Kiribati is an Australia Awards alumnus and recipient of the Prime Minister's Pacific-Australia Award. Australia Awards are prestigious scholarships offered to exceptional students across the region who are leaders or potential leaders in their country.
Dr Biribo completed her PhD at the University of Wollongong in 2012. Her doctoral thesis on the coastal vulnerability of Kiribati has been recognised for its promise to lead the development of the Pacific region into the future. Looking at the effect of rising sea levels, it was the first research of its kind that specifically addresses the challenges the Tarawa reef islands may face.
"The coast is a significant part of everyday life for the people of Kiribati and my research has implications for a wide cross-section of the community."
The Prime Minister's Pacific-Australia Awards recognise high-achieving postgraduate students through a series of leadership development programs and placement opportunities in Australian Government departments. Dr Biribo used her placement experience to learn how scientific recommendations can effectively influence public policy.
Part of Dr Biribo’s research explored historical changes to the Kiribati shoreline and the rates and trends of sediment deposition over the past 4,000 years. Through the development of island coastal management, she hopes her research might help to transform entrenched community attitudes.
"Part of the challenge for my country is getting people to understand that every small action has implications. For example, one person who takes a sack of sand away from a beach must realise that, over time, there are significant cumulative effects," she said.
Since 2018, Dr Biribo has served as Kiribati’s most senior public servant, the Secretary to Cabinet.
How to apply
More information, including applicant eligibility criteria can be found at: