The Mekong-Australia Partnership

In November 2020, as part of a broader package of economic, development and security measures to support Southeast Asia’s recovery from COVID-19, the Australian Prime Minister announced a four-year $232 million investment to support economic integration and development in the Mekong subregion. Through a set of targeted investments under the umbrella of a new Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP), Australia will build resilience in Mekong states, supporting them to shape positive and independent destinies for themselves.

One of these targeted investments is building the human capacity of the next generation of men and women leaders in the Mekong. In Cambodia this investment is being delivered through Australia Awards Cambodia.

Australia Awards Short Courses

Short Courses are a targeted program of intensive training provided for groups of participants either from a single country or a group of countries. They use Australian expertise in education and training and can be tailored to meet the needs of a variety of target groups. They do not require Australian tertiary institution entry requirements, and can accommodate a wider range of English language levels (through the use of translators and interpreters). Their short nature is suited to senior staff and mid-career professionals who are unable to be away from their organisations for a lengthy period.

Australia Awards Short Courses are delivered by approved Australian higher education providers or Australian Registered Training Organisations, sub-contracted by DFAT through Tetra Tech. They range from a minimum of a few days to a maximum of five months, but are typically between two to three weeks in duration. Short courses can include study tours, leadership programs and one-semester study programs in Australia for undergraduate students or mid-career professionals.

Short courses can create and strengthen people-to-people links and establish networks of practitioners on strategic issues across the region. Group dynamics and the building of relationships can become very strong on short courses, and often continue among alumni. They can also catalyse ongoing connections between the Australian short course provider and participating organisations from the region.

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