Visiting Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, on Tuesday announced over 80 Australia Award scholarships to Nepal over the next four years and would design a training program for Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials.
However, the details of the scholarship programme were not disclosed immediately.
In a statement issued before wrapping up his two-day visit to Nepal, Marles committed more Australian aid in the days to come.
"Australia has more than tripled its assistance to Nepal in the past five years," said Marles. "In 2012-13, AusAID will invest $35 million in education, health, rural livelihood and governance reform to improve the quality of life of the Nepali people."
While in Kathmandu, Marles visited the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal's world-class eye care facility, which is supported by AusAID and the Fred Hollows Foundation, Australian NGO.Mr Marles also visited Tripadma Higher Secondary School in the Kathmandu Valley, which has been made earthquake resistant as part of an AusAID supported safe schools program.
(Source: Australian Embassy Nepal)
