GOOD ON YA, MATE!

Every year, the Australian Government grants more than 19,000 scholarships to people around the world for study and research in Australia. For this 2008 academic year, 26 Thai scholars and professionals have been selected.

With good and thorough preparation, it's not too difficult for anyone to be granted such a scholarship. Four of the successful recipients this year, Dr Wanchai Assavalapsakul, Dr Pisamai Supatranont, Dr Chartchai Leenawong and Sunee Wataniyakul, got together to suggest four steps for people preparing to apply for an Australian scholarship.

Step 1: Check your International English Language Testing System (IELT) score. If you are not a graduate from a school or university in a country that teaches in English, make sure that you take an IELT test and receive a score of 6 or more.

Step 2: Write a resumé and proposal. These two documents are the only things a professor at an Australian university will use to consider whether you will be successful. They must be submitted by e-mail, so don't miss any essential information.

In your proposal, try to describe the benefits you can bring to both Thailand and Australia if you are given a chance to study there.

Step 3: Look for a host university. Scholarships will only be considered if a candidate already has a letter of acceptance from an Australian university, so this is quite a crucial step. The tip to increase your chance of being accepted is e-mailing your proposal to a university that has a professor doing research on the topic you are interested in studying.

Step 4: Apply then be patient. Once you have succeeded with the first three steps, it's time to apply, sit back and wait.

You can check the list of scholarships granted at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/sia/en/home.

By Watchara Saengsrisin

The Nation