LAI Newsletter dec 2016 issue 3

MITTAPHAP LAOS AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 3 | Feb 2016

Inside issue

No3 2 Introducing the new Deputy Head of Mission

Inthana

Bouphasavanh: working for women in Laos

4 Australian Parliamentary Visitors Farewell Lao Students 10 Women’s Rights in Laos - A Role Model 12 Men Standing Up against Violence Around the World

The Laos Australia Institute is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech company, on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

LAI NEWSLETTER

Message

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

Introducing the new Deputy Head of Mission

Message from the Institute Director

Mr Andreas Zurbrugg is the Australian Embassy’s new Deputy Head of Mission. He leads the Australian aid program as well as Australia’s political and economic relationship with Laos.

As the Director of the Results Section in Canberra, Andreas was responsible for designing the Australian aid program’s new performance framework, ‘Making Performance Count’.

“I am excited to be here and overseeing a program with a strong track record of delivering development outcomes for the people of Laos.”

Andreas hopes to bring greater focus for the aid program in Laos, to ensure that it is highly targeted in supporting Laos integrate into ASEAN and graduate from Least Developed Country status.

Prior to current posting, Andreas had positions in Hanoi, Vietnam and Santiago, Chile. He has led designs and managed programs in agriculture, rural development, community driven poverty reduction, environment, financial inclusion, disaster mitigation, water supply, sanitation and a large scholarships program spanning 17 countries across Latin America.

“I am excited to be here and overseeing a program with a strong track record of delivering development outcomes for the people of Laos.”

Introducing the New Second Secretary Ms Eloise Saif is the Australian Embassy’s Second Secretary, Development Cooperation. She is now responsible for Australia’s human resource development program, which includes Australia Awards and LANS. Eloise has worked for the Australian aid program for seven years, and on the program to Laos for 3 ½ years. Eloise supported the design and mobilisation of Australia’s new basic education program which focuses on improving the quality of primary education to improve literacy, numeracy and other skills. Before this, she also supported the design for the Laos Australia Institute.

She has previous experience in supporting governance programs in Indonesia, particularly evaluations and designs. She is passionate about lifting the effectiveness of programs, by sharing lessons learned, improving accountability and Government ownership.

Eloise hopes that through LAI and other programs, Australia can support Laos to benefit from ASEAN integration, equipping Lao citizens with the skills to compete in a regional economy.

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The next 12 months promises to be a time of change for Laos and for the Laos Australia Institute. This year Laos will be the Chair of ASEAN and 2016 also marks the beginning of the ASEAN Community. Our colleagues in government and our development partners will be very busy with various regional and international meetings.

Here at LAI we have always been proud to be part of the Australian government’s efforts in human resource development in Laos. At this time, it is worth reflecting on how important international experience and English language capacity is in supporting the development of the country. Through Australia Awards, GOLPET, specialised training and LANS, we have and will continue to prepare leaders of the future.

Many of these women and men are featured in this newsletter, as are their contributions to their organisations, professions and communities. As the year progresses, we will try and include more stories on current development topics, including on how Australian alumni are working with ASEAN.

In 2016 LAI will be implementing a number of changes to the program as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. Following a number of reviews and a joint planning workshop in November last year, the revamped Australia Awards scheme opens for applications in February. This year we also hope to review the LANS program, in order to ensure that it can address issues of access and equity for students, particularly girls, from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Following the organisational review of MOES, we look forward to helping that agency implement some of the recommendations.

Finally, this year sees LAI itself being evaluated. The current phase of the program expires in June 2017, so it is the right time for the Australian aid program to review LAI’s objectives, take stock of achievements, review activities and plan for the future.

Happy (Intenational) New Year from all of us here at LAI. Bill Pennington

We Have Moved!

The Laos Australia Institute (LAI) has moved to a new office location from 14 December 2015.

The new office address is co-located with the Foreign Language Resource Centre of the Ministry of Education and Sports in downtown Vientiane: Setthathirath Ave Xiengnheun Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Laos Our office number and other contact information remains the same: Phone: +856 21 265 721-2 Fax: +856 21 265 723 Email: info@laosaustraliainstitute.org

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Message

ISSUE 3 FEB 16 1. Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Lytou Bouapao, Australian Ambassador, John Williams and Hon Warren Entsch MP

Australian Parliamentary Visitors Farewell Lao Students On 6 October 2015, 49 highachieving Lao students were farewelled at a ceremony in Vientiane presided over by Hon Dr Andrew Southcott MP, the head of a visiting Australian Parliamentary delegation. The students will all begin programs in Australia in 2016.

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Dr Southcott, who led the delegation to Malaysia, Cambodia and the Lao PDR, told the audience Australia Awards Scholarships were an important part of Australia’s development cooperation program in Laos, to develop human resources in education, rural development, trade and natural resource management.

“For over 50 years, Australia has supported Lao PDR’s best and brightest to study at Australia’s world-class universities. Many of these people now occupy important positions in the Lao PDR and are helping to shape the country’s future,” Dr Southcott said.

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2. Hon Dr Andrew Southcott MP congratulating the Awards recipients

research, this group of individuals would develop the skills and knowledge to drive change in Laos, and help build enduring people-topeople links with Australia.

“You have already demonstrated academic excellence, and undergone a highly competitive and rigorous selection process to be chosen for these prestigious awards,” Dr Southcott told the awardees.

3. Hon Warren Entsch MP presenting farewell packs to the awards recipients 4. Ms Anouvone Thammavong, Australia Award recipient giving a thank you speech 5. Australia Awards Farewell Ceremony group photo 4

“In Australia, you will have the chance to further develop your leadership qualities and academic skills, and develop potentially invaluable professional networks in your chosen fields,” he said.

Further information about Australia Awards can be found at www.australiaawards.gov.au or www.australiaawardslaos.org

He said that through study and 5

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LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

New Australian Scholarships for 2016

A Big Year for LANS

On 7 August 2015, Australia’s Ambassador to the Lao PDR, John Williams, congratulated 62 young men and women graduating from the National University of Laos. The graduates are the first batch to complete degrees under the Laos Australia National Scholarships (LANS) scheme that started in 2011.

In September 2015, another 22 future leaders were presented with Australia Awards scholarships to pursue undergraduate and post-graduate studies in Australia.

Australia’s Ambassador to the Lao PDR, John Williams, congratulated the Australia Awards recipients at a ceremony in Vientiane.

Ambassador Williams urged the scholars to aim high in their studies, drawing on the example set by previous Lao awardees, such as the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith, and the Vice Minister for Finance, Thipphakone Chanthavongsa He said Australia Awards Scholarships were a central and long standing part of Australia’s development cooperation program with the Lao PDR, helping to develop human resources in education, rural development, trade and natural resource management.

On 12 November 2015, fifty new students from remote and disadvantaged districts were awarded LANS scholarships for study at the National University of Laos. The LANS program is now in its fifth year. These students now join over 250 other scholarship holders pursuing undergraduate degrees under LANS.

“For over 50 years, Australia has supported Lao PDR’s best and brightest future leaders, in government and business, to study at Australia’s world-class universities.

This year’s recipients too will have the chance to study and experience life in Australia, to gain the skills and knowledge to drive development in the Lao PDR, and build closer links with Australia,” Ambassador Williams said.

The Australia Awards Scholarships program offers the next generation of John Williams speaking with the new leaders the opportunity to enhance scholarship recipients their skills and build professional networks, to help drive socioeconomic development in recipient countries.

Since the inception of Australian Government scholarships in Laos, more than 1,200 awardees have successfully gained tertiary qualifications in Australia and returned to apply their new skills in the Lao PDR. MITTAPHAP | 6

LANS scholars at Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang On 25 November 2015, twenty students from remote and disadvantaged districts in the northern provinces of Laos were awarded scholarships by Australia for study at Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang under LANS. This batch of twenty new scholarships represents the first LANS intake at Souphanouvong University.

At the ceremony at Souphanouvong University, representatives of the Government of Australia met with university officials to congratulate the first batch of students. This batch includes students from poor districts in the northern provinces of Borkeo, Huaphanh, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Phongsaly

The next selection round for LANS scholarships in Vientiane and Luang Prabang starts in September 2016. For more information about LANS contact the Students Affairs Office at Vientiane College at 021 416837 or the Laos Australia Institute at 021 265721.

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LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

LAI Welcomes Their New Scholarships Manager and Scholarships Associate

Women’s Leadership in Laos

Davone Bounpheng Scholarships Manager Davone Bounpheng, born and raised in Vientiane Capital, is an Australia Award Alumna herself!

She graduated from Flinders University in South Australia in 2003 with a Masters of Educational Management.

She also has a Bachelor of Education Degree from the National University of Laos from 2000. Davone brings her experience from a range of organisations, including as an audit assistant at KPMG, a Project Assistant at Early Learning in Primary School, a Project Coordinator at the National Human Development Report, a General Manager at Digital Divide Data, a Project Manager at Multilateral Environment Agreements,

including recent posts as an Education Officer and Planning and Monitoring Officer with UNICEF Laos for almost 7 years.

Davone is keen on being part the scholarships team as she has always been grateful for the Australian Government for changing her life from a very young and shy person to a confident and knowledgeable person, and having the opportunity to expand her horizon in Australia. She’s keen on continuing her contribution to development of human resources in Lao PDR. Davone is not very athletic but she has won trophies for tabletennis in UN competitions.

Saymano Sanoubane Scholarships Associate This is Saymano Sanoubane, the new Scholarships Associate.

Saymano was born in Vientiane Capital and is also a private Australia alumna. She graduated from the National University with a Diploma of Literacy (English) in 1996. Saymano lived in Sydney for about two years to complete an Office Management course at TAFE Ultimo. Later in 2009, she studied for a Masters of International Development in Nagoya of Japan for four years.

Saymano has more than 10 years’ experience in rural community development through working with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Oxfam. With her new position, she is very enthusiastic to work with the Laos Australia Institute as a Scholarship Associate, where she can be directly involved in supporting of the education program as well as contributing to human resource development in Laos.

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A consultant working for LAI, Dr Penelopa Gjurchilova, recently completed a study on women’s leadership.

Dr Gjurchilova, who hails from Macedonia, has considerable experience in gender research around the world and has worked for UN Women in Laos and Vietnam. The aim of the study is to provide recommendations to LAI, the Australian aid program and our government partners on how to promote and address women’s participation in program activities, economic empowerment and leadership.

Dr Gjurchilova held discussions with representatives from government, the private sector, international organisations and civil society as part of the study. Australian alumni were included in many of the consultations.

Dr Gjurchilova noted that while the Lao PDR has the legal framework

needed for gender equality, many barriers remain. These include in education, where women often have fewer opportunities than men. There are also traditional attitudes and perceptions that reinforce gender bias, including in workplaces, society and in families. Poverty and lack of capacity are also hindering factors to women being able to control their economic futures.

She says that women need to be seen as leaders in every area and that government, international donors and programs such as LAI can and should work to close these gender gaps. The report from the study is now being finalised. Dr Gjurchilova’s recommendations will be discussed with DFAT and other development partners.

“Women need to be seen as leaders in every area and that government, international donors and programs such as LAI can and should work to close these gender gaps.”

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Alumni Story

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

Women’s Rights in Laos A Role Model

“ The Australian Government gave me the opportunity to receive a good education that changed my life professionally.”

Inthana Bouphasavanh Masters of Arts in TESOL The University of Technology Sydney 1994

Inthana and her team showing the sign for “Stop Violence against Women”.

“ I aim to make women’s voices heard.

There is no doubt that women can lead just the same as men in all aspects of politics, economics and cultural manners”

Australian trained Inthana Bouphasavanh has dedicated her life to protect and advocate women’s rights in Laos. Inthana’s passion and ambition to see women’s rights a reality in her country led her to establish the Association for Development of Women and Legal Education (ADWLE) which operates as a non-profit association (NPA).

Born and raised in Pakse, as the oldest child she had to take care of her siblings as well as housework.

Despite this hard upbringing, she never gave up on her education. “I convinced my parents to let me go to school if I cared for my brothers and sisters and helped around the house.

Even though it meant long hours, I knew my future depended on being educated.”

She completed a diploma from the Teacher’s Training College in Pakse in 1980 and then taught chemistry.

She was married during this time and had her first child, a daughter.

“Women in the last four decades were often illiterate and relied on their husband. They had unpaid jobs. So they had no equal rights and could not make decisions,” she recalls She wanted to empower herself and other women, and started to think about changing the status of women in society. “I thought that if women are able to work like men, then they should be treated the same as men.

I did not want them to rely on their husbands,” Inthana says.

After graduating with a degree from MITTAPHAP | 10

the National University of Laos in 1992, she worked for the Ministry of Education in the Non-Formal Education Department. Inthana then applied for and received an Australian scholarship to study a Masters of Arts in TESOL at the University of Technology in Sydney. Before this, Inthana had never travelled outside of Laos. She boarded the QANTAS airplane with excitement. “I remember clearly the kangaroo symbol on the side of the plane and could not wait to see a real one,” she recalls.

With the Australian scholarship she saw what a future for Laos could look like. “The Australian Government gave me the opportunity to receive a good education that changed my life professionally. It equipped me with knowledge and skills for communitybased development and women’s rights advocacy. I want to see Laos become a champion of women’s rights.”

Inthana worked hard to get the approval to set up the Association for Development of Women and Legal Education (ADWLE). The organisation started with two staff and now it has six full time administrators, three lawyers, 12 paralegals, 24 village gender trainers, two international and national volunteers, and 72 teachers and student gender volunteers. “The vision of the association is a society where there is gender equality, including equal opportunities, contributions to decision-making and access to the legal system,” Inthana explains. The association also works to promote women’s empowerment

and leadership in educational institutions and at the community level.

Inthana used her Australian experience in a number of ways, including observing the social environment, the role of the media and understanding systems of democracy, good governance and the rule of law. For her, Australia is a multi-cultural nation which treats all citizens with equal rights. “I wanted to apply the lessons I learned and best practices in my home country. The Australian Government respects and promotes human rights and allows freedom of speech,” Inthana says.

Inthana likes working with women for women, and wants to see gender equality become a reality in Laos.

She wants to eliminate violence against women and children.

Through extensive fundraising efforts, the association has received funding from Oxfam, the French Embassy, the European Union, the International Republican Institute, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and HELVETAS to undertake projects.

She wants to see educational institutions and the community change their behaviour and attitude towards women. “I aim to make women’s voices heard. There is no doubt that women can lead just the same as men in all aspects of politics, economics and cultural manners.”

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Alumni Story

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

Men Standing Up against Violence Around the World Khamsavath Chanthavisouk Bachelor in Commerce Curtin University 2001

“Without the Australian Awards Scholarship, I would not have been where I am today.”

Working with men is important

Violence against women and girls (VAW/G) is a global pandemic. It is a grave violation of human rights – particularly of women’s human rights, security and dignity. Violence against women and girls has many types and forms ranging from domestic violence to sexual harassment, trafficking, forced marriage, and femicide.

“Violence is preventable and can and must be eliminated,” says Mr Khamsavath Chanthavysouk, an Australian trained international development worker from Laos who has been working in the field of elimination of VAW/G for the last seven years. Khamsavath is a United Nations staff member based in the Dominican Republic which is a beautiful Island in the Caribbean Sea. He works as a Gender Capacity Development Specialist at the UN Women Training Centre in the capital, Santo Domingo.

Khamsavath’s work includes setting up health-response services and shelters for violence survivors. He also works with law enforcement officials and courts to provide legal support to victims of violence and provides technical assistance to governments to develop and implement laws and policies on violence elimination. In addition, Khamsavath helps integrate gender equality into school curricula, and engage men and boys and communities to stop violence.

Khamsavath studied a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Curtin University in Perth under an Australia Awards Scholarship. He appreciates that Australia Awards gave him the opportunity to broaden his worldview. “That phone call from the thenAusAID office in 2001 to inform me about the scholarship result forever changed my life. Without the Australia Awards Scholarship, I would not have been where I am today.”

He acknowledged that the Australian education system helped him enhance his critical analysis and creative thinking. “These are vital skills needed for working in the international development arena,” he says. In Perth, he learned more about international development through his voluntary work at a project to support Sudanese refugees to resettle in Perth. “My first English book – My Place by Sally Morgan, was required reading in the preparatory course at Vientiane College prior to departing for Australia – it got me interested in social justice issues,” he recalls.

Khamsavath stressed that the work to eliminate violence against women and girls must, first and foremost, go handin-hand with the efforts to empower women and promote women’s rights.

“This means ensuring that women and girls have, equal to men, access to education, finance and all forms of social services,” he explains.

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“Ending violence is everybody’s responsibility, everybody’s business,” Khamsavath adds.

Prior to working for UN Women, he served in Bangkok, Thailand, as a Capacity Development Analyst with a UN regional joint program on gender-based violence prevention for Asia and the Pacific. He also worked with UNFPA as a Gender Program Office in Hanoi, Vietnam, and with the National Human Development Report Project as a researcher in Vientiane, Laos. In addition, Khamsavath is the Coordinator of the Regional Learning Community (RLC) for Transforming Masculinities towards Gender Justice for East and Southeast Asia.

Khamsavath also hold a Master’s Degree in International Development Management from American University (Washington DC) under a Fulbright Scholarship.

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Alumni Story

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

Meet the GOLPET Students 2015-2016

“I believe that GOLPET can help achieve my goals of getting a higher IELTS score.”

Oulayvanh Souvannaseng (Pakhao) Technical Staff at Protocol Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

I applied for GOLPET because I want to improve not only my English skills but I would like to meet new people and build a stronger network. It is a good chance to meet many people from different Ministries so I can exchange perspectives and ideas with them.

Participating in the program will allow me to experience the learning styles from several professional teachers at Vientiane College.

Personally, I believe that GOLPET can help achieve my goals of getting a higher IELTS score. This course actually does what I expect.

My English skills have improved a lot including Writing, Listening, Speaking, Reading and Grammar.

For speaking, I have developed good personal and professional conversations in English after joining this course. I will apply the knowledge gained from this course in my work place where English is needed for

Chanthamaly Souliyasack (Taiy), Technical Officer Department of Pre School and Primary Education, Ministry of Education and Sports

Chanthamaly Souliyasack (Taiy), Technical Officer Department of Pre School and Primary Education, Ministry of Education and Sports

daily work. I am sure I will be able to do better translation work. Moreover, I would be able to assist some of my colleagues in communicating in English with embassies and other international organisations.

After the course, I plan to apply for an Australia Awards Scholarship as I always want to continue to do a Masters Degree in Australia. For my long term goal, I would like to be a an ambassador for Laos.

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I applied for the GOLPET Program because I want to improve my English, my teaching skills as well as gain new experiences. I would like to be able to use English more efficiently in my work. Moreover, I plan to apply for a scholarship to study a Masters Degree overseas. I believe the course will help me achieve my goal.

Personally, this course gives me a good chance to learn and improve my English and teaching skills. My English has been improving since I joined this course and I know more techniques and sources for learning and teaching English. Professionally, GOLPET will equip me with English teaching skills that I can apply in my work. I will also be able to communicate in English more fluently, and be able to write reports, letters, emails, workplans etc. in English.

After this course, I will apply the English skills that I learned into my work at Souphanouvong University and I will share my skills and acquired knowledge with other teachers and students. In the future, I will still continue learning to improve my English and myself. In the long term, I plan to apply for a scholarship to continue my education.

“GOLPET will equip me with English teaching skills that I can apply in my work.”

I applied for GOLPET because I wanted to improve my English for my work and apply for a scholarship to continue to a Masters degree overseas.

GOLPET is the best opportunity for me to improve my English. I have learned different techniques from the teachers and my classmates at Vientiane College. I can see that my English skills have been improved greatly.

After this course I will return to my work at the Ministry and apply English to my work as much as I learn from GOLPET. Later on, I will apply for scholarships such as Australia Awards, New Zealand scholarships and other scholarship for my Masters degree.

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Feature

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

C

Organisational Development in Laos – A Practitioner’s View

You can register to receive this newsletter and updates from the Laos Australia Institute at our website. obtained. The survey teams also gained good insights about the actual organisation situation at the provincial and district level.

different levels. This assignment also provided an opportunity to build the capacity of the organisation in conducting OAs.

4. What are some challenges in conducting an OA?

Ms Somchay Soulitham is a management consultant with Enterprise & Development Consultants Co., Ltd. (EDC), a local firm specialising in management and human resource development.

One of the key areas of her work is Organisation Development.

Recently Somchay took part in LAI’s Organisation Assessment workshop for a number of target Ministries. Since then she has been working with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) on their organisational review process, as part of LAI’s ongoing support for improving human resource development in Laos.

Somchay Soulithan graduated with Master of Management from Monash University in 2002, under the Australia Awards

1. What is an Organisational Assessment (OA)?

Organisational Assessment (OA) is an approach to gather and analyse, document and report information on an organisation’s current reality in order to pin down the gaps that have to be filled in order to achieve a desired level of performance, as well as provide indications on possible interventions that could be adopted by the organisation. We have started with the Ministry of Education and Sports who want to do an organisational restructure and OA is the first step.

2. What are the steps to conduct an OA? MOES staff drafted questionnaires for people at all levels of the organisation, then pre-tested the questionnaire, trained teams, undertook data collection, conducted data analysis followed by report writing and presentation of results. EDC’s consultants provided support to MOES in reviewing and adjusting the questionnaires, drafted guidelines

for conducting the surveys, and supported the MOES teams during data collection. EDC’s consultants will continue to provide technical support during the data analysis and report writing stages.

3. Throughout the process, what has been achieved and how have you helped?

The OA tools and techniques shared in the LAI workshop were very useful. During the workshop, many participants expressed interest in conducting OAs in their own organisations. After the workshop, the Department of Personnel at MOES approached LAI for technical support to carry out the assessment for the restructuring of MOES. EDC’s consultants work with LAI staff to support this process.

The OA exercise went well.

Even though not all steps went exactly according to the plan and in line with expected survey methodology, it was observed that the intended data/information was MITTAPHAP | 16

The OA tools developed in the Philippines and introduced in Laos have not really been used to their full extent in this exercise.

The main challenge is the adoption and adaptation of state of the art tools into the Lao context especially in the working context of the Government of Laos.

www.laosaustraliainstitute.org

5. How was your experience of this assignment in the provinces?

The data collection trips to the provinces went well. The teams had good cooperation from all levels: provincial and district as well as from institutions. It was interesting to observe that the directors at provincial and district level were able to share very good analytical and practical comments about what they would like to see improved in the organisation. This reflects their good knowledge about the local situation and the national context.

Contact Setthathirath Ave Xiengnheun Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, Laos

6. What do you expect to see as the outcomes of this assignment?

T +856 21 265721 E info@laosaustraliainstitute.org

I believe that the MOES can use the results of this OA to ensure that the restructuring process of the Ministry reflects the actual situation and the real needs of the MITTAPHAP | 17

LAI NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 3 FEB 16

Feature

G’day Mate!

A Strong Determination Beats Poverty

Poverty still keeps some children out of school, especially girls. There are many barriers to girls’ education in Laos. Some must work to help their families or stay home to take care of younger siblings. Other girls simply don’t have money for education.

Phonethip Vilayhoung, a 20 year old Khamu woman from Phonthong district in Luang Prabang, was one of those.

Her life journey has not been as simple or straightforward as other teenagers. Her father passed away when she was just a baby. Since her mother remarried, she has lived with her grandparents whom she has called her “parents”. Her grandparents are rice farmers and depend on selling sesame seed as a source of income. The family did not have enough rice to eat and struggled to have food each day. “I had to help my grandparents to earn money and do housework. I did not feel comfortable to totally depend on them,” Phonethip says.

In Grade 5, her mother asked Phonethip to sacrifice her own education to help the family. She was aware of the suffering of her family but she could not let go her education as well. “I thought leaving school would not help improve our family situation that much. In the school in my hometown, there were only a few teachers. Only a few people had a chance to further education at that time,” Phonethip explains.

Phonethip admits that life of women in rural areas is harder than men. “Like other women in my Sammeun village, we do very hard work including rice

Come & Join us!

“Without LANS, I would not have come this far,”

Have you studied in Australia?

Phonethip Vilayhoung LANS Awardee 2015 Souphanouvong University pounding, cutting firewood, fetching water and working in the field,” she says. “I feel sympathy for my mother working so hard and hope I can help her to get out of this struggle.”

At the age of 12, Phonethip carried 10 kilograms of sesame seed across mountains to other villages to sell it.

Throughout her secondary education, she did all kinds of work from a farmer, vendor, and kitchenhand to factory worker in Vientiane during her school break. “I earned more than 1 million Kip from the factory. I ate little to save up money. And I bought school uniforms for my younger brothers,” Phonethip says proudly.

Phonethip has fought poverty and barriers throughout her childhood.

Eventually, with a strong determination and a focus on her dreams, she managed to finish upper secondary school. She then passed the entrance exam for Souphanouvong University.

As she struggled to find money to pay the registration fee, a teacher at the university recommended that she apply for the Laos Australia National Scholarships (LANS).

Phonethip is one of seventy students from remote and disadvantaged districts in Laos to receive a Laos Australia National Scholarships award in 2015. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Physical Education at Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang.

“I am happy. LANS has given me opportunities to study, to learn a lot of life skills and understand the environment around us. The teachers from the program are very supportive and take good care of me. I feel like I am staying with my own parents.”

“LANS has given me opportunities to study, to learn a lot of life skills and understand the environment around us.”

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Register Now & Win a Prize!

If you have studied as a scholarship student, a fellowship student, or a private student, you can join the Australian alumni group.

As a member, you will recieve news and information about events and activities, and catch up with your friends and colleagues.

Follow the link: www.laosaustraliainstitute.org (Click Alumni Registration and go to Log in page) Or if you have any questions, please contact Mr Soutsnow (Snow): Soutsnow.Sensomphone@laosaustraliainstitute.org Tel: 021 265271-2 MITTAPHAP | 19

Make a difference with an Australia Awards Scholarship Applications are now open Opening date: 8 February 2016 Closing date: 25 March 2016 For further information: Website: www.australiaawardslaos.org Email: infoawards@laosaustraliainstitute.org Phone: +856 21 265 721-2

“Being an Australia Awards scholar has been very important for me. The scholarship gave me an opportunity to pursue my postgraduate studies at one of the best universities in the world. The knowledge and experience that I gained can be applied to my work on the social and economic development of my country.

I am very thankful for this opportunity.�

Vena Ngonvorarath Master of Commerce (Macroeconomics) University of Sydney

Contact us Unit 18, Asean Road, Nongbone Village, Xaysettha District Vientiane, Lao PDR

T +856 21 265721 E info@laosaustraliainstitute.org