Welcome to the second edition of Endeavour Alert!
We are pleased to bring you this quarterly update of the Endeavour Awards
Applications for 2009 Endeavour Awards are now open! Click here for more information on how to apply.
In this edition we introduce you to two more of our Endeavour Award holders, Phan Manh Ha and Anne Ottaway.
We hope you enjoy reading this edition and welcome your feedback.
The Endeavour Awards Team
About the Endeavour Awards
Through international, merit-based competition, the Endeavour Awards bring leading researchers, professionals and students to Australia to undertake short or long term study, research and professional development in a broad range of disciplines and enables Australians to do the same abroad.
The Endeavour Awards comprises three categories:
- Endeavour Executive Awards
- Endeavour Vocational Education and Training Awards
- Endeavour Postgraduate and Postdoctoral Awards (including Endeavour Research Fellowships, Endeavour Research Fellowships for Indigenous Australians, Endeavour Europe Awards and Endeavour Cheung Kong Research Fellowships)
Endeavour Executive Awards
This unique award provides the flexibility to design a one to four month program that advances both your professional and personal goals. Your home and host organisations will also benefit from the collaboration, establishing or enhancing existing regional linkages and providing opportunities for longer term cooperation.
“The Endeavour Executive Award was THE most amazing and well-supported opportunity I have ever experienced. It was a springboard that unexpectedly changed the course of my life and my career for the better.” - Louise Earnshaw, Australian Endeavour Executive Award Holder, 2007.
Australian and international organisations are also able to host international Endeavour Executive Award holders, a fantastic way to create new international linkages and to deepen ties with existing global colleagues.
Endeavour Vocational Education and Training Awards
The Endeavour Vocational Education & Training (VET) Awards provide financial support for up to 2.5 years for international students from
participating countries to undertake vocational education at a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in any field of study in Australia. Vocational Education & Training provides occupational or work-related knowledge and skills. The courses are traditionally non-academic and directly related to a trade, occupation or 'vocation' in which the applicant participates. These courses exclude degree and higher level programs normally delivered by universities.
Applicants
must be nominated by either their home organisation/institution or the host institution.
English language training in Australia is also available when the English language proficiency requirements of the Australian host institution are not met.
“I always wanted to study abroad and the Endeavour VET Awards gave me the opportunity to make that dream come true. I can say, without any doubt, that the experience of having studied in the Australia represented – and indeed represents – a turning point both in my personal and professional life.” Al-Khateeb Yasir, Iraq
Endeavour Postgraduate Awards
The Endeavour Postgraduate Awards provide financial support for international students for up to 3 years to undertake a postgraduate qualification at a Masters or PhD level either by coursework or research in any field of study in Australia. These include the
Endeavour Europe Awards, of which there are 20 available in 2009 for applicants from participating countries.
“Since I arrived in Australia 9 months ago, I have been part of one of the most outstanding Universities in the world, met many of the best researchers in my field and took part in many international conferences” Romane Christescu, France
Endeavour Research Fellowships
Endeavour Research Fellowships provide you with a unique opportunity to take the next step in your academic career. These opportunities are available for both Australians to go offshore and Internationals to come to Australia. This award provides financial support for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows to undertake short-term research, 4-6 months, in any field of study.
The research is to be undertaken in participating countries within the Asia/Pacific region and the Middle East. Endeavour Research Fellowships include opportunities for International (including Latin American, European and Canadian) and Australian applicants, including a specifically designated number for Indigenous Australians.
Dr Dennis Foley from the University of Newcastle undertook an Endeavour Research Fellowship for Indigenous Australians in New Zealand, investigating Indigenous entrepreneurship and social enterprise.
Dr Foley says “
There are some powerful lessons we can feed into both Indigenous entrepreneurial activity on the ground now and the larger policy-making process here in Australia. The Endeavour Award has allowed me to discover and experience Indigenous approaches to knowledge…that cannot be duplicated in texts or interview.”
The data Dr Foley gathered through his research in New Zealand has been used to enrich his own teaching content and methodologies, as well as contributing to the strengthening of cross-Tasman research partnerships.
For more information on the awards, selection criteria and how to apply, please visit the Endeavour Awards website. Selection outcomes will be announced in October 2008.Do you want to promote the Endeavour Awards within your organisation?
Throughout April, the Endeavour Awards team ran a series of information sessions around Australia. If you missed out on these and are interested in us talking to your institution or workplace, please email endeavour.promotion@deewr.gov.au.
In addition to information sessions, there are a number of ways in which the Endeavour team can help you promote the Endeavour Awards. A suite of promotional materials are available, including brochures, testimonials and powerpoint presentations. We can also provide you with editorial for internal and external newsletters.
If you would like to find out more, please email endeavour.promotion@deewr.gov.au
Endeavour In Focus: Phan Manh Ha
Phan Manh Ha from Vietnam is undertaking his Master of International Business and Master of Commerce at the University of Sydney. 
"As a government official in charge of Vietnam-Australia bilateral trade affairs, I had the chance to visit Australia many times. I realised that the Australian education system which is reputed and recognised all over the world could further help me enrich and deepen trade and economic knowledge.
I was encouraged to apply for an Endeavour Award by my Vice Minister of Trade and Professor of the Hanoi Institute of International Affairs.
I knew that the Endeavour Awards are one of the most prestigious scholarships of the Australian Government and not many Vietnamese could win this scholarship because of condensed competition from applicants around Asia-Pacific countries. Therefore, when I received a letter saying that I achieved Endeavour Award, I was happily shocked. At the first time, I couldn’t believe in my eyes. I read the letter again and again, then I ran to ask my colleague to check whether I had been accepted for an Endeavour Award or not.
When everything was confirmed, my nerves changed to happiness. I had a very good opportunity to study in Australia. I am very grateful to the Australian Government for this chance. The Award is really good with excellent and helpful staff to facilitate my preparation and my study. Everything was very well organised, I could study at one the most famous universities, the University of Sydney with very good conditions.
Sydney is a cosmopolitan city. I think that I was right to choose Sydney to begin my international study life. The convenient transportation, temperate climate, beautiful scenes and excellent cuisines from around the world make Sydney one of the most attractive destinations for international students.
The University of Sydney, situated in centre of city, with modern facilitates is definitely an ideal university for study and research. In the University, I have chances to exchange knowledge, views, and cultures with other international students. Out of school time, I usually play football with my friends at the weekend, or go swimming at Sydney’s beaches. Sometimes, on a Saturday evening, we go to a bar to explore Australian culture and relax".
Endeavour In Focus: Anne Ottaway
Anne has just completed her Endeavour Executive Award to China.
"What an opportunity of a life-time! Imagine travelling in an intriguing country, rich in history, sophisticated in culture, diverse in its life styles, topography, weather and cuisines!
My goal was to gain understanding of the current Chinese education system, note the issues teachers are confronted with, assess areas of potential educational discussion and follow up as a referral agent for future collaboration. The wonderful part of this is that to undertake this study, I needed to have some understanding of the Chinese culture and values.
I therefore felt no guilt as I walked along the Great Wall of China where even the Chinese guides have been enlightened enough to know that Emperor Nasi Goreng built it to keep the rabbits out! History is being rewritten as we speak! (For those who haven’t been in Australia long, this refers to a humorous Telstra Bigpond advertisement which was on television recently - Editor).
Seriously though, as China has determined a path towards a market economy and socialism, there are centuries of traditions and methods that are being relinquished to make way for this new China.
The current Chairman, Hu Jintao, is a well-respected man of great wisdom. He is stepping cautiously, but determinedly towards a goal of a ‘China with moderate prosperity’. He sees that education is the prime method for achieving the Party’s goals, and has declared that the focus for the next 5 year term will be education.
Being involved with a different education system, made me aware of alternative approaches, values and philosophies which impacted on the delivery of the knowledge.
One of the glaring differences was the importance of rote learning and memorising methods. As a consequence, resourcefulness, inquiry, independent investigation, creativity had no place. Teachers, however, find that these are the very attributes that students need so that they can be competitive on the global scene. I could identify aspects of the Chinese system which had been eliminated in the western system, for example, marching, saluting the flag, rote learning (tables), that might enjoy a place back there!
The contacts I have made have been most useful and I am busy connecting some of them to Australians who can handle their queries directly. Others are thirsty for any input about teaching methodology I can supply, others long for decent English oral language resources.
The majority of teachers would acknowledge that there need to be changes to their education system so that students are better prepared for the current workforce demands. This transitional period in China’s history is an exciting one.
I would encourage anyone with a professional interest in visiting the country to avail themselves of the wonderful opportunity the Endeavour Awards provide. I could not speak more highly of the support they have given me at all levels and the opportunity for a unique professional development."