A public health specialist combatting gender-based violence and a high-achieving research analyst focused on innovative public policy are Papua New Guinea’s recipients of the prestigious Allison Sudradjat Prize for 2020.
Ms Olivia Ephraim, 31, and Mr Meson Tumsok, 29, received the Prize during a reception on 19 December hosted by the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Bruce Davis.
The Prize is presented in memory of Allison Sudradjat, who championed education for development as a senior Australian official in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, and passed away in 2007.
‘Each year, six outstanding Australia Awards Scholarship awardees – two from Papua New Guinea and four from Indonesia – receive the Allison Sudradjat Prize, recognising Allison’s outstanding contribution as a senior Australian official in both countries,’ High Commissioner Davis said.
‘I am delighted that, once again, the Prize is being awarded to two Australia Awards scholars from Papua New Guinea who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership skills and a determination to contribute to their country’s sustainable development.’
Ms Ephraim, originally from Enga Province, provides specialised support to those who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence in her role at Port Moresby General Hospital’s Family Support Centre.
Ms Ephraim will commence a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne as an Australia Awards scholar in 2020. She plans to use the Allison Sudradjat Prize to undertake further specialised training, including case database management.
Mr Tumsok, from Western Province, will also study at the University of Melbourne next year as an Australia Awards scholar, undertaking a Master of Applied Econometrics.
Mr Tumsok is a research analyst at the Bank of Papua New Guinea. He intends to use the Allison Sudradjat Prize to support his research into national debt and commodity prices and implications for PNG’s economy.
The Allison Sudradjat Prize includes up to AUD$25,000 to undertake additional activities related to recipients’ course of study.
‘The Allison Sudradjat Prize will help me to access specialised training and get more exposure on how best to improve the current gender-based violence situation that is being faced in PNG,’ Ms Ephraim said.
Mr Tumsok said: ‘the Allison Sudradjat Prize will build my capacity as a researcher and help me contribute to macroeconomic policy debates and formulation in PNG and across the Pacific.’
To date, 26 Australia Awards scholars from PNG have received the Allison Sudradjat Prize. Previous recipients have undertaken projects in fields as diverse as public finance policy development, disaster risk reduction and conservation of Papua New Guinea’s wildlife.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100