Australia Awards South and West Asia

From October to December, 37 Sri Lankan Australia Awards scholars participated in six Scholars Symposiums across Australia. 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 Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, 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.”

Delivering opening remarks in Adelaide on behalf of the scholar cohort, Sri Lankan scholar Lakmini Prabani Perera said, “Looking back to my arrival in Adelaide two years ago, I can say that this journey has been truly life-changing, contributing immensely to my academic, personal and professional growth […] I gained the confidence to raise points, challenge perspectives, and advocate for issues I care deeply about. Furthermore, I had the opportunity to conduct my research in the focus area of my proposed Development [Impact] and Learning Plan, which provided me with insights and practical ideas that I look forward to implementing when I return home. Above all, my two years at Flinders [University] have been among the most empowering and liberating experiences of my life.”

Lakmini Prabani Perera delivers opening remarks in Adelaide on behalf of the scholar cohort.

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
• HE Ms Yasoja Kusalini Gunasekera, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, in Canberra
• Pradeepa Saram, Sri Lanka’s Consul General for Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania, in Melbourne
• Nayomi Kannangara, CEO of the International Women’s Development Agency and a Sri Lankan Australia Awards alumna herself, in Melbourne.

Sri Lankan scholars with HE Ms Yasoja Kusalini Gunasekera, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia (second from right), at the Canberra Symposium.

The panels were facilitated by a scholar at each event, with Sri Lankan scholar Chanuli Lakshitha Jayathilake moderating the session in Perth, while the opening sessions in Sydney and Adelaide were emceed by Sri Lankan scholars Jeevani Fernando and Kirithikka Baherathan, respectively.

Chanuli Lakshitha (second from left) with other panel members in Perth. From left to right: Zel Icsel, Disability Advocate, Sue Boyd, former Australian Head of Mission, Rosie Staude, Assistant Director of DFAT’s Indian Ocean Strategy Section, and Catherine Parsons, Senior Advisor Government and Business Engagement with Walk Free.

Reflecting on the panel session in Melbourne, Sri Lankan scholar Madhumali Sethunga Mudalige Dona said, “The panel discussion was really valuable for us to learn from experts and bridge the knowledge gap and build connections.”

Adelaide-based Sri Lankan scholar Anushka Welle Kankanamlage said, “I really enjoyed the panel discussion, which gave us an idea about what kind of difficulties we would face when we go back and implement our Development Impact and Linkages Plan.”

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 session in Adelaide, Sri Lankan scholar Dilini Perera said, “The training at the Symposium provided new insights which transformed my understanding about leadership roles and communication. This will help me to be [a] better leader and change maker in future.”

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.

The Sri Lankan scholars who shared their DILPs were:

• Sehu Mohamed Al Ameen in Brisbane
• Gayathri Kasunthika Kanakaratne in Perth
• Liyanaarachchige Don Sankha Hasintha in Adelaide.

Liyanaarachchige Don Sankha Hasintha provides an overview of his DILP in Adelaide.

To finish the symposiums, scholars engaged in cultural activities with First Nations Australians. These activities included having an art lesson from Indigenous teachers in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth; viewing Indigenous art in galleries in Canberra and Adelaide; and learning to throw a boomerang in Brisbane.

Sri Lankan scholars with Indigenous artist Rhys Jeffs in Melbourne.

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

“Engaging with scholars from the region made me feel inclusive and share experiences throughout the journey we had together,” said Sri Lankan scholar Shehara Stephnie. “It was [a] ‘home away from home’ moment which I will take with me.”

Sri Lankan scholars in the Adelaide Scholars Symposium with Indigenous guide Keneifa Hayes (in black t-shirt) in Adelaide.

Adelaide-based Sri Lankan scholar Nipuna Bhanuka Wickramage said, “The Scholars Symposium was an opportunity to meet fellow scholars, [and] listen to a panel of a wide range of subject experts on reintegration and overcoming challenges. I enjoyed listening to the presentations of people regarding their DILPs and what they expect to achieve upon their return. It was a great experience.”

Summing up the views of many participants, Canberra-based Sri Lankan scholar Vinogitha Gausigan said, “The Scholars Symposium was valuable because it gave me the chance to learn directly from experts and leaders in various fields. I gained new ideas and confidence to apply these insights in my own academic and professional journey.”