Staff Reporter 

Coinciding with 20 years of diplomatic relationship between Australia and Bhutan, Australia Awards in collaboration with the Australian High Commission in New Delhi hosted a farewell event for 10 recipients of the Australia Awards scholarships. The event was attended by the Deputy Ambassador to Bhutan Sarah Storey along with government officials.

Of the 10 recipients, seven are civil servants and three are from the private and corporate sectors. They will be going to Canberra, Western Australia, Sydney and Melbourne.

Ever since the Colombo Plan of 1962, more than 1,200 Bhutanese have gone to Australia to pursue further studies. Since 2011, a total of 350 Bhutanese received the Australia Awards to study in Australia.

To commemorate the 20 years of diplomatic relationship between Australia and Bhutan, a book titled “A celebration of Alumni Impact in South Asia” was also launched.

The 10 recipients are the first batch of Bhutanese to receive the scholarships after the Covid-19 Pandemic.