Pre-departure Briefing – Intake 2020 – Intake 2022
Posted: 19 April 2022
A Pre-Departure Briefing (PDB) for Intakes between 2020 and 2022 awardees who will be departing for Australia in June 2022 to commence their studies, took place on 15 – 16 April 2022 at Soyombo Hall in Tuushin Hotel and was attended by 36 awardees and their dependents. In attendance were Mr. David Preston, First Secretary, DFAT, Australian Embassy in Mongolia; Mr. Byambasuren. U, Deputy Chief, Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia; Ms. Narangua. N, Member of Program Coordinating Committee of Australia Awards – Mongolia; and representatives of Mozzies Alumni Association. On behalf of Australia Awards – Mongolia, Ms. Enkhtuvshin. L, Country Program Manager, congratulated the awardees on their success before inviting awardees to introduce themselves and their family members and to talk about where they worked in Mongolia, and where they would be studying in Australia and their chosen field of studies.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Byambasuren. U, Deputy Chief, Cabinet Secretariat of Mongolia congratulated the awardees on getting the Australia Awards Scholarship. He highlighted those awardees who were selected for Intakes between 2020 and 2022 and who were ready to start their Australia Awards journey after the COVID-19 pandemic. He briefly explained that since the program began offering scholarships in Mongolia in 1993, over 650 awardee graduates who have now been actively contributing to the development of Mongolia. He mentioned that it was important for all graduates to join the Mozzies Alumni Association and participate in the activities organized by the association. Finally, he wished the awardees success with their studies and reminded them of Government of Mongolia’s expectation that they return to contribute to development in Mongolia in their fields.
Representing Government of Australia, Mr. David Preston, First Secretary, DFAT, Australian Embassy in Mongolia highlighted that the world is opening the doors for awardees to start their Australia Awards journey after the COVID-19 challenges. He emphasized that the year of 2022 was special as it is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mongolia. He noted that they have been successfully cooperating with the Government of Mongolia on Australia Awards – Mongolia (AAM) despite the pandemic over the last two years. In addition, he expressed that he was delightful to hear that ongoing support for awardees during the pandemic was helpful for them. He also said that obtaining an Australia Awards Scholarship for a Master`s Degree will enable the awardees to broaden their vision, provide the ability for critical thinking and constructive discussions, and deliver opportunities to build confidence and careers. In addition, he noted that is a great opportunity for awardees to learn more about Australia, its people particularly indigenous people, culture, and history. Finally, he expressed his best wishes to the awardees and their families.
The first day of the PDB focused on Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s information kit about living and studying in Australia. Two Australia Awards returned graduates shared their personal experiences in areas such as: finding accommodation, bringing family, settling into a new environment, studying, and working in Australia and general gender and disability inclusion. New awardees noted that this information session the graduates shared were very useful.
The second day was dedicated to cultural orientation and sharing experiences. Awardees were grouped into five cities where they would be living namely, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra and gained valuable insights from Australia Awards alumni and their dependents. Additional topic on Australian sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment was introduced to awardees for prevention.
The Mozzies Alumni Association representatives introduced the alumni association and its function and activities. They mentioned that it was important for the awardees to join the Mozzies Alumni Association upon completion of their studies and participate in the activities organized by the association. Finally, they wished the awardees good luck with their studies and enjoy their time with their families in Australia.