Nineteen scholars from Nepal have received Australia Awards Scholarships to undertake master’s degree studies in Australia commencing in 2026.
The new group includes 11 women and eight men, with scholars coming from a wide range of professional and community backgrounds. Thirteen of the recipients work in Nepal’s public sector, while the cohort also includes people with disability and scholars from traditionally marginalised communities.
Their fields of study span areas including public policy, sustainable development, education, agriculture, environmental science, disaster management, criminology and molecular biology at universities across Australia.
The Australia Awards program aims to help scholars develop professional knowledge and leadership skills that can contribute to Nepal’s development when they return home. It also strengthens long-term educational and people-to-people connections between Australia and Nepal.
Among the 2026 scholars are professionals working in government, agriculture, health, forestry, justice, development and scientific research.
The scholarships support full-time postgraduate study in Australia, with recipients expected to use the knowledge and professional networks they gain to contribute to their fields and communities in Nepal.
For Australia Nepal, stories like this represent an important part of the relationship between the two countries: people gaining knowledge in Australia while maintaining a long-term connection to Nepal.