Australia Awards South and West Asia

From October to November, 14 Maldivian Australia Awards scholars participated in Scholars Symposiums in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. These events, which had the theme of From Learning to Leading: Make an Impact, were designed to help scholars develop the skills they need to be changemakers after completing their Scholarships.

Each symposium began with an address from a representative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Speaking at the Melbourne Symposium, Paul Stephens, the State Director of DFAT’s Victoria State Office and a former non-resident High Commissioner to Maldives, said, “The granting of an Australia Award marks a recognition of potential. We are pleased to support activities like this Symposium as one way to help you build on that potential and become changemakers for sustainable development—truly taking the step from learning to leading.”

A highlight of each symposium was a panel of expert speakers drawn from the Australian Government, the diplomatic or consular corps, and the development sector. Panel members spoke about a variety of subjects relating to leadership, including the importance of values for leaders, their tips for networking and advice on advocating for change. These speakers included:

• Senator Charlotte Walker, the youngest person elected to Australia’s Senate, in Adelaide
• Crispin Conroy, the State Director of DFAT’s New South Wales State Office, in Sydney
• Dave Williams, Director, Asia (APAC) at Palladium, in Sydney
• Nayomi Kannangara, CEO of the International Women’s Development Agency and an Australia Awards alumna herself, in Melbourne.

The panels were facilitated by a scholar at each event, with Maldivian scholar Dheena Shareef moderating the session in Sydney and Mohamed Nimal undertaking the role in Adelaide. “Facilitating this panel was more than just moderating a discussion, it was a chance to learn directly from leaders who embody the theme From Learning to Leading: Make an Impact,” Nimal said. “Each speaker’s journey gave me a personal blueprint for how I can carry forward my own leadership path: grounded in values, power in community, inclusive in vision, and committed to impact back home.”

Nimal moderating the panel discussion in Adelaide.

The afternoon of the first day of each symposium was dedicated to leadership or communications training, designed to assist scholars to put into action what they had heard during the opening remarks and panel discussion in the morning.

Reflecting on this training in Sydney, Maldivian scholar Mariyam Ibha Jaleel said, “I attended a meeting of great minds last week at the Australia Awards Scholars Symposium and had the pleasure of joining an amazing leadership training session conducted by [facilitator] Josh Farr. Huge thanks to Australia Awards for the opportunity and to Josh for showing us what a real powerhouse looks like in action.”

Sydney Symposium participants Aminath Izdhiha Rushdy, Dheena Shareef, and Mariyam Ibha Jaleel.

The second day of the symposiums saw scholars consider their Development Impact and Linkages Plans (DILPs) and whether they needed to update them in light of their time in Australia and what they had learnt on the first day of the symposiums.

Scholars also had the opportunity to provide their peers with an overview of their DILP and outline how their studies and professional development activities in Australia had helped them to implement their plans. In Sydney, Maldivian scholar Aminath Izdhiha Rushdy shared her motivation for studying a Master of Humanitarian and Development Studies and how she had gained professional experience while completing her studies. In Melbourne, Maldivian scholar Ahmed Mishal shared how he intends to apply the knowledge he has gained studying a Master of Data Science at the University of Melbourne to improve policing in Maldives.

To finish the symposiums, scholars engaged in cultural activities with First Nations Australians. These activities included having an art lesson from Indigenous teachers in Melbourne and Sydney, learning about Indigenous art at the Art Gallery of South Australia, and undertaking a city walking tour in Adelaide.

Maldivian scholars with Indigenous artist Rhys Jeffs in Melbourne.

Reflecting on her experience in Melbourne, Maldivian scholar Aishath Naseem said, “I connected with the Indigenous art session in a way that I didn’t expect to.”

For many scholars, the most valuable aspect of the events was the opportunity to network with other scholars from across South Asia and Mongolia.

“It was fun and insightful to meet, talk and connect with scholars from across the region,” said Aishath Naseem. “I’ve strengthened my networking skills.”

Maldivian scholar Dheena Shareef said, “The networking opportunity to connect with other scholars was very useful and the leadership and networking training was very insightful, with practical tips.”

Muhammad Nazeeh arriving at the Adelaide Scholars Symposium.

Summing up the views of many participants, Adelaide-based Maldivian scholar Muhammad Nazeeh said, “I found the Symposium truly inspiring, particularly the leadership session, which approached leadership in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Building a network of ambitious, purpose-driven peers was one of the most meaningful takeaways.”