Australia Awards South and West Asia

Aminath Shiyama was awarded an AusAID scholarship in 2000/2001 after receiving the Dux award from the National Diploma of Secondary Teaching program at the Institute of Teacher Education (currently Faculty of Education of Maldives College of Higher Education). She enrolled in a four-year combined degree at the University of Western Australia, from where she graduated with a double degree in 2004.

On returning to Maldives, Aminath Shiyama joined an all boys’ public secondary school teaching GCE O Level Chemistry, using the knowledge and the teaching from her degree. It provided her with enthusiasm, courage and self-confidence to manage her students. The educational structure and the curriculum framework in Australia had opened her eyes to many options to motivate her students, cater for their specific needs and help them strive for academic excellence.

Aminath Shiyama wanted to share creative and innovative teaching methodologies with other teachers and to train teachers in teaching and learning methodology. She transferred to her current position at the Faculty of Education in Maldives College of Higher Education, where she is a lecturer. She teaches student teachers at Diploma and Undergraduate levels and designs units and courses in science education for primary school science teachers.

From the foundation built through her AusAID scholarship, Aminath Shiyama was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to obtain a Master’s in Science in USA, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction.

She feels these opportunities helped her gain a sound understanding of widely different education systems, which are valuable when developing units of study for her students.

Aminath Shiyama highly recommends Australia Awards Scholarships (previously AusAID scholarships) for anyone who is highly motivated and interested in broadening their academic knowledge.