Australian Government Scholarship for women in international business

Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb today announced the opening of nominations for the 2015 Beryl Wilson Austrade Scholarship for Women in International Business. The scholarship honours Australia’s first female Trade Commissioner, Beryl Wilson, and was established in 2013 to mark the 50th anniversary of her appointment.

“Beryl Wilson was an excellent role model who inspired other women to serve their country as Trade Commissioners, and this scholarship aims to encourage more women to pursue an international business career,” Mr Robb said.

Women are now responsible for leading Australia’s trade diplomacy at many of Austrade’s overseas offices including Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Washington, Tokyo, Moscow, Osaka, Toronto, Milan and Guangzhou.

“The inaugural winner of the scholarship in 2014, Perth-based Louise Clunies-Ross, is a great ambassador for women in international business,” Mr Robb said. “I look forward to awarding the 2015 scholarship to another most worthy recipient.”

Louise impressed the judging panel with her passion for different cultures and international business, as well as her strong record of academic achievement.

Louise, who is from an Asian background, said she would like to do more work in Europe.

“Coming from the pharmaceutical industry the two big major players are in the US and Europe and I think there’s a lot of innovation happening in Europe and also sustainability. So I’d like to be in that space and I think that Europe would be a great place to work,” said Louise.

“I’m very glad for the opportunity Austrade and Women in Global Business has given me, so that I can pursue this dream to work in international business. It’s going to open a lot of doors, as it already has, and give me more opportunities to get into this field.”

Louise also expressed an interest in working for Austrade in the future, saying “I hope to one day to be a part of that program and be a trade commissioner and represent Australia in foreign countries and assist with trade within Australia.”

To be eligible, women must be Australian citizens and enrolled full-time in in the final year of a master’s degree in international business or a master of business administration with an international business specialisation. They must also have Asian language competency.

Austrade will award one scholarship in 2015 valued at up to $40,000, covering course fees, study materials and other related expenses.

The scholarship recipient will also participate in the Women in Global Business Program, a joint Australian, State and Territory Government initiative, which aims to increase the number of women in international business.

Universities Australia, the peak body representing Australia’s 39 universities, will play a major role in promoting the scholarship. For more information and application details visit: www.austrade.gov.au/beryl-wilson-scholarship