30 Indonesian scholars win Australian awards

JAKARTA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Thirty Indonesian academics and public servants have won Endeavour Award scholarships to undertake professional development and research in Australia in 2008, national Antara News Agency reported on Thursday.

The Australian embassy to Indonesia announced the winners of the awards, and praised the high-achieving Indonesian scholars who build enduring professional and personal networks with Australian partners.

Fitri Widiantini, a Biotechnology expert from Indonesian Padjadjaran University, said her Endeavour Award would enable researchers from Australia and Indonesia to work together to find solutions to common problems.

"Through Endeavour, I will work with fellow Australian scientists on a research project on managing plant diseases. This research will help farmers protect their crops effectively while protecting the environment too," she said.

The Australian Government Endeavour Awards provide opportunities for leading Indonesian researchers and professionals to undertake research and professional development in Australia in a broad range of disciplines.

This highly competitive scholarships program will provide around 9,000 international scholarships up to 2011.