The government of the Australian State of Victoria has launched the 2013 round of the Victorian International Research Scholarships to attract top-performing scholars from Bahrain and help them complete their PhD in the state.

The Victoria authorities said under the scheme, Bahraini scholars can study at one of its nine universities.

John Butler, Victoria’s Commissioner to the Mena, said under the Government’s Victoria – Leader in Learning initiative, A$20,000 ($19,883) will be provided annually for three years for each of these scholarships which, together with support provided by the host university, are valued at A$90,000 per PhD candidate.

Butler said the PhD scholarships programme has over recent years attracted high-performing international scholars to Victoria from many parts of the world, and that Bahraini scholars were encouraged to also benefit from this opportunity.

'The Coalition Government is committed to attracting the best and the brightest to study in Victoria, and is very keen to see participation from Bahrain and wider Middle East region,' he noted.

'A key component of the Victoria – Leader in Learning initiative is the AUD $1.2 million, four-year Victorian International Research Scholarship program to encourage top international students to study in Victoria,' Butler said.

“Victoria is a world leader in research and our leading-edge research facilities, world-renowned medical institutes and state-of-the art technology platforms make this state the ideal place for research scholars to come from all over the world,” he added.

Butler pointed out that Victoria has a diverse multicultural society, largely because of the part played by international students.

'We hope to see the Leader in Learning programme continue to contribute to Victoria’s diversity, and help to expand the state’s brand around the world,' he added.

Victorian universities will nominate their top international students and applications will be assessed by a panel of experts. Students should contact their preferred Victorian university for more information.-TradeArabia News Service