Over 90% reported maintaining links, outcomes through the implementation the most frequent of which were links of these Plans. with other Australia Awards Alumni Funding Alumni’s development and international Alumni. work can be a positive avenue for Links with Australian students and enhancing their contribution in professional links with Australia were Africa the least frequently maintained, Overall, projects funded by the Small however rates were still high with Grants Scheme are delivering on over 70% of respondents maintaining intended outputs and contributing to such links. anticipated outcomes. While sustaining Only one in four Alumni indicated that the benefits generated by grant-funded their employer maintained business of projects can be an issue, a number of professional links with Australia. them are catalysing initiatives started However, half of these links had either by or including Australia Awards been established or further developed Alumni and some laudable results have as a result of the Alumni’s own been recorded. engagement with the Australia Awards Recommendations by Alumni initiative. Alumni made five main suggestions on Five in six Alumni were members of at how to improve the Alumni least one Alumni association, the most engagement program going forward. common being Africa-based Australia These were, in order of frequency: Awards associations. more mechanisms to interact with The majority of Alumni are Alumni; changes to the Small Grants implementing their Work Plan Scheme, in particular increased funding on Return level; further study opportunities through Australia Awards; further Four in five Alumni stated that the strengthening of Alumni associations; initiatives they had described in the and greater pathways to maintain study formed part of their Work Plan contact with Australian institutions on Return, indicating application of and organisations. Award-acquired skills and knowledge to contribute to development
Over 90% reported maintaining links, the most frequent of which were links with other Australia Awards Alumni and international Alumni. Links with Australian students and professional links with Australia were the least frequently maintained, however rates were still high with over 70% of respondents maintaining such links. Only one in four Alumni indicated that their employer maintained business of professional links with Australia. However, half of these links had either been established or further developed as a result of the Alumni’s own engagement with the Australia Awards initiative. Five in six Alumni were members of at least one Alumni association, the most common being Africa-based Australia Awards associations. The majority of Alumni are implementing their Work Plan on Return Four in five Alumni stated that the initiatives they had described in the study formed part of their Work Plan on Return, indicating application of Award-acquired skills and knowledge to contribute to development outcomes through the implementation of these Plans. Funding Alumni’s development work can be a positive avenue for enhancing their contribution in Africa Overall, projects funded by the Small Grants Scheme are delivering on intended outputs and contributing to anticipated outcomes. While sustaining the benefits generated by grant-funded projects can be an issue, a number of them are catalysing initiatives started by or including Australia Awards Alumni and some laudable results have been recorded. Recommendations by Alumni Alumni made five main suggestions on how to improve the Alumni engagement program going forward. These were, in order of frequency: more mechanisms to interact with Alumni; changes to the Small Grants Scheme, in particular increased funding level; further study opportunities through Australia Awards; further strengthening of Alumni associations; and greater pathways to maintain contact with Australian institutions and organisations.
australia-awards-in-africa-2014-outcomes-study.docx