A group of 46 students will leave Vientiane for Australia early next year after receiving scholarships and four Australian Leadership Awards from the Australian government.
They will study a range of disciplines, including geographic science, information technology and economics.
The scholarships include funding for four master's degrees, with the rest of the award recipients mostly enrolling in bachelor degree programmes.
The Director of Vientiane College, Mr Denley Pike, said the aim was not only to increase students' knowledge in their respective fields, but also to foster a better understanding of Australia and its people, culture and history.
Mr Pike said one of the main features of the programme was a balance between vocational training and cultivating mutual understanding.
“This college is central in the selection process from approximately 400 applications for the scholarships. After taking a common entrance exam and participating in an interview, 46 candidates were finally selected by the Australian National University (ANU) and other institutions,” he said.
A previous recipient of an AusAID scholarship from 2002-2004, Ms Akchousanh Rasphone, told Vientiane Times that she gained her two-year bachelor of technology in geographical information systems before applying for the Australian Leadership Award.
She said she had to study hard during the course, but she would continue on to a master's degree in geographical science next year.
“I was very happy when I heard the good news from the ANU in Canberra, which has decided to allow me to complete my studies there,” she said.
A student from the National University of Laos, Mr Alounothay Soulimeuangchan, said he would be studying for a bachelor degree in the Department of Economics at the ANU.
“In conjunction with my studies I will be sharing my knowledge of Lao culture and traditions with the Australian students I meet, and will encourage them to visit,” he said.
He said he wanted to continue his education beyond the three-year course. After graduating he hopes to use his skills to assist his family business in Laos.
The programme also includes an English language course, which will be provided internally by teachers at each university.
