LAI Newsletter Issue 8 August 2017

AUSTRALIA - LAOS CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS 1952 - 2017

MITTAPHAP LAOS AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 5 | JULY 2017

4 New Australian Program for Women’s Leadership in Laos 8 A Happy Bunch of Graduates 9 A Determined Young Woman 10 Australia Awards Student Receives QUT Leadership Prize

Inside issue

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The Laos Australia Institute is managed by Coffey, a Tetra Tech company, on behalf of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

LAI NEWSLETTER

Message

ISSUE 5 July 17

Message from the Director

Introducing the New Second Secretary

job ready. As I write, 15 Australian alumni from Laos are taking part in a 10 week Australia Awards Fellowship program with Flinders University in South Australia. I’m sure we’ll hear more from them on their return.

Elsewhere in this issue is a profile of LAI’s Disability Specialist, Dr Jo Webber. Some of you had the chance to meet Jo at the recent OzTalk. Jo has been helping LAI with the implementation of some exciting innovations in our program, including a Disability Pathway for LANS scholarships, advising potential Australia Awards candidates from the disability sector and in particular with our new DID English training program through Vientiane College.

Ms Sophie Wilkinson is the Australian Embassy’s new Second Secretary, Development Cooperation and Political. She is responsible for Australia’s human resource development program, which includes Australia Awards and LANS, as well as human rights and domestic political issues.

Sophie has worked for the Australian aid program for four and a half years, and has spent most of that time with a particular focus on managing aid delivery to Indonesia and TimorLeste.

This is her first posting overseas, and she has never been to Laos before (though she learned Lao language before she arrived): “so now I know how most of our Australia Awards students must feel when they move to Australia to undertake their scholarships – totally excited and totally terrified at the same time about leaving family and friends to embark on this huge, life-changing experience! I hope that they meet with a warm, welcoming community

in their new universities just like I have here in Vientiane (though I’m sure their English will be better than my Lao).”

Ms Sophie Wilkinson, the Australian Embassy’s new Second Secretary

She commenced work at the Australian embassy in Laos in May this year, after spending three months improving her Lao language in Luang Prabang.

Sophie hopes to work with the team at the Laos Australia Institute to ensure the human resource development program gets better and better every year for the benefit of the government and people of the Lao PDR.

Our goal in Phase II remains to contribute to human resource development in Laos. The opportunities presented by the new design will allow us to build on the solid foundations of the Australia Awards and LANS scholarships schemes, support national and agency level capacity building in HRD and HRM and facilitate a greater investment by Australia in returned alumni.

“I particularly want to focus on all of our alumni, by making sure that we continue to engage and support them once they return to Laos, or finish their domestic training.”

By continuing to build the capacity and support the strategic use of Laos’ human resources, Sophie hopes that Australia can contribute to socioeconomic development in the country, and enable Laos to compete in the regional economy.

The month of June contained a significant milestone for the Laos Australia Institute. The first phase of the program is now formally completed, and we move into LAI Phase II with a new design, new activities and a new sense of purpose. In fact, we have already been implementing Phase II through our new Annual Plan which was approved in January 2017.

Over the next two years, we have been fortunate to receive additional funding through DFAT’s Gender Equity Fund and the Disability Inclusive Development mechanism to deliver women’s leadership programs MITTAPHAP | 2

and English training for the disability sector.

Highlights of 2017 will include the completion of the first of our Competency Based Training courses – the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – delivered by Canberra Institute of Technology.

Eleven graduates of this program have received high quality training, and return to their workplaces with new skills and experiences. The Certificate IV course in Human Resources continues through until next year with twenty very enthusiastic students.

I believe that all our training programs help bring Australian expertise to Laos, and the same can be said for our Australian alumni. In the next 12 months, we will have more opportunities to get together and celebrate those connections. Be on the look-out for another OzTalk event in the near future, as well as additional alumni events associated with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Laos.

I look forward to catching up with you.

Bill Pennington

The Women’s Leadership Executive Development Program starts in July, with twenty five Australian alumni attending a range of workshops delivered by the University of Sydney Business School.

The other component of this program sees twenty seven LANS graduates undertaking another Australian qualification, the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, delivered by Queensland University of Technology, aimed at making them MITTAPHAP | 3

LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 5 July 17 1

New Australian Program for Women’s Leadership in Laos The Minister for Education and Sports, H.E. Mrs Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun, and the Australian Ambassador to Laos, Mr John Williams, launched a new program of support for women’s leadership in Laos in March.

The two-year “Investing in Women’s Leadership in Laos” program, consists of an executive development program for public and private sector women leaders, and a job readiness program for young female graduates of the National University of Laos.

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Minister Sengdueane has agreed to serve as patron of the new program.

At the launch ceremony, the Minister and Ambassador presented certificates to 15 female leaders from Laos who will take part in a 10-week Australia Awards Fellowship program in Australia, involving study and work place visits, arranged through Flinders University in Adelaide.

Ambassador Williams said the Australian Government, through its aid program, foreign policy and business networks, was keen to be at the forefront of addressing gender inequality and women’s leadership in the region.

This involved a range of activities to enhance women’s voices in decisionmaking, promote women’s economic empowerment and end violence against women and girls.

“Ensuring women have the same opportunities as men to reach their full potential is vital for every country,

vital for national development, for prosperity and to ensure we have inclusive, functioning societies where everyone’s contribution is valued equally,” Mr Williams said.

Mrs Sengdeuane thanked the Australian Government for its support for women’s leadership in Laos. “I am convinced this new initiative will help Lao women access the type of knowledge and skills that will open doors for them,” the Minister said.

The total value of the Investing in Women’s Leadership in Laos program will be A$550,000 (around LAK 3.4 billion) over two years from 2017.

“ Ensuring women have the same opportunities as men to reach their full potential is vital for every country ”

Program activities will be implemented by the Laos Australia Institute, which also manages the Australian Government’s human resource development program in Laos, including Australia Awards and domestic Lao scholarships.

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1. The Minister of Education and Sports and the Australian Ambassador congratulate 15 female leaders taking part in the Australia Awards Fellowship Program 2. Fourth year Laos National Scholarships students at the ceremony 3.Representatives from the Government of Laos and the Australian Embassy also joined the ceremony MITTAPHAP | 4

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LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 5 July 17

Steering Committee Reviews LAI Program

Improving HRM in the Civil Service In May 2017, a group of 20 human resource professionals, mainly from the Ministries of Education and Sports and Home Affairs, started a program of competency based training in Laos. Following completion of the course, participants will receive an Australian recognised qualification - the Certificate IV in Government (Human Resources).

The course, taking place in several training blocks over a period of 12 months, covers a range of human resource functions, as well as aspects of service delivery and managing workplace relations. Also trained under the same initiative, ten officials from the same agencies have recently completed their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Something new: Oztalk 2017

Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Home Affairs, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Australian Embassy at the Steering Committee Meeting Mr Andreas Zurbrugg , Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy and Associate Prof. Dr Kongsy Sengmany, Vice Minister of Education and Sports chaired the third Steering Committee meeting of the Laos Australia Human Resource Development Program on 31 January 2017 in Vientiane.

The Program, managed by the Laos Australia Institute (LAI), is a four-year partnership between the Governments of Lao PDR and Australia to help address Laos’ critical human resource development needs.

The meeting reflected on the significant progress achieved from the program’s second year, including successful management of the Australia Awards scholarships program, extending the Laos-Australia National Scholarships (LANS) program to Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang, and production of English language training materials.

Mr Zurbrugg hopes the human resource development work through LAI will be useful for Laos to take advantage of integrating into the ASEAN Economic community “We hope the program addresses the priority development needs of the Lao government at both the central and sub national level,” he said.

The two training programs are managed by the Laos Australia Institute and delivered by the Canberra Institute of Technology.

About 70 Australian alumni and guests enjoyed the first Oztalk organised on 7 June 2017 at Coco&Co Café in Vientiane.

The Vice Minister of Education and Sports and the Deputy Head of Mission co-chaired the third Steering Committee Meeting

The audience heard from a passionate conservation biologist, Ms Akchousanh Rasphone who shared her experience in wildlife field research in Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area in northern Laos. Another presentation titled “Dead End Job” by Sittiphone Thapesuphanh (Toon) covered everyday workplace experiences that most people find uncomfortable. Toon was able to turn the subject into a fun talk that amused those in attendance.

The last speaker, Dr Joanne Webber demonstrated inclusiveness through audience participation, putting people in the shoes of disaster victims with and without a disability.

The Second OZ TALK will organised soon so stay tuned!!!

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LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 5 July 17

A Happy Bunch of Graduates

A Determined Young Woman

“Despite the struggles, I made my mind up to never give up and use everything that comes into my life as fuel to feed my will to move forward.

I cannot stand to see my parents work hard. My mother is blind in one eye due to an accident. As a child, I always dreamt to have a good job to so I could take care of them, despite that they did not put much hope on me as a daughter. I will do the best I can for my parents,” Kiaher said.

The LANS program does not only cover tuition costs and living expenses but includes an Academic Support Program to build study and life skills including intensive English language training.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy presenting certificates to 72 graduates under the Laos Australia National Scholarships (LANS) Program

Kiaher Yiachue, Laos Australia National Scholarships Alumni

In June 2017, Mr Andreas Zurbrugg, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy presented certificates to 72 young men and women graduating from the National University of Laos under the Laos Australia National Scholarships (LANS) program.

Laos Australia National Scholarships (LANS) produce talented and determined young people such as Kiaher Yiachue. Despite poverty and family struggles, she has managed to complete her university degree and get a good job in community development.

Mr Zurbrugg was accompanied by Dr. Somsy Nhophanxay, President of National University of Laos as well as representatives of the Ministry of Education and Sports and the National University of Laos.

Since 2011 the LANS program has helped over 430 students from remote and disadvantaged areas attend university. The 72 new LANS graduates, with their qualifications from the country’s leading university, are now ready to make a contribution in fields vital to the country’s socioeconomic development – in business, education, science, agriculture and the environment.

This is the third cohort to complete their degrees under LANS, and there

are currently over 260 other students studying at the National University of Laos and Souphanouvong University in Luang Prabang.

“Apart from financial support, LANS gives us opportunities to learn additional study and life skills, along with English” said Jenchila Inthasakda, a female graduate from the Mass Communication course at the Faculty of Letters. “As I’m from Vientiane province, a long way from the university, the Academic Support Program has been very useful for me to help adapt to the new environment at university. I have improved my study skills and have gotten to know other students from various provinces. I have learnt how to work effectively and as a team with others,” she added.

After graduation, Jenchila is planning to work as an interpreter in both English and Chinese. After gaining some experience, she will apply for a scholarship for further study abroad.

Jenchila Inthasakda, LANS Graduate

After graduating with a Bachelor of English from National University of Laos (NUOL) in 2016, Kiaher has worked as a project officer responsible for an educational program with the Institute of Asian Culture and Development. The job sometimes requires her to travel to remote communities and work with Hmong communities, and teach English to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Vientiane.

“I am proud of my job,” she said.

“I like it a lot. It’s a job that gets me

to provide assistance to many poor people. With the job now, I can help take care of my family and myself,” Born to a farming family from Phou Ngu Village, Hom District, Xaysomboun province, her childhood with 10 other siblings was not an easy one. Even though her family worked hard to grow rice, they still struggled to eat every day.

“We had to mix rice with cassava so it was enough to feed the entire family.

To help my parents, I had to collect forest products to sell to earn money to buy stationery and supported my own education,” said Kiaher.

“During my bachelor degree at NUOL, I learned a lot of things. It really prepared me to be who I am right now and certainly for the future. The entire experience inspired me to constantly want to improve myself and eager to help other disadvantaged young students,” said Kiaher.

“ Despite the struggles, I made my mind up to never give up and use everything that comes into my life as fuel to feed my will to move forward.”

Kiaher was determined to study even though she had to walk about 30 minutes each way to get to school and had to work hard to support her own education.

LANS graduates are proud of their achievement MITTAPHAP | 8

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Australia Awards Student Receives QUT Leadership Prize

News Update

ISSUE 5 July 17

during this journey away from home and my family. These people made this (receiving the award) a joyful, meaningful, and memorable reality,” he added.

The First Human Resource Forum in Laos is a Huge Success

When asked what advice would he gives to other AAS students, Nalongded said he would tell them to take the opportunity of being in Australia to focus not only on achieving their academic goals, but also to enjoy life. He would encourage them to explore Australia’s diverse cultures and the cultures of other overseas students, and to participate in various extracurricular activities both social and professional.

“More importantly, they should find time to reflect on themselves. This exercise will most likely lead them to discover who they truly are, things that may have different significant impact on their emotions, and goals they’d like to achieve in life. I would place tremendous emphasis on not taking this opportunity for granted and, last but not least, I would like to remind other students that the best gift they can give to others and themselves is giving.”

It is rare for someone to excel academically while actively participating in a busy social life such as leading student clubs and joining professional associations. Chances become even slimmer if that person lives with disability. Against these odds, one young Lao student has demonstrated that it can be done.

Congratulations to Nalongded Luanglath, an Australia Awards Scholarships student currently completing a Bachelor of Business (Honours), who was recently awarded the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Alumni Student Leader of Year 2017.

As an Australian scholarship recipient, Nalongded has helped many QUT international students.

He founded the QUT Lao Student Club and has served as Treasurer for the QUT Business and Management Student Association. If this list is not impressive enough already, then how about the fact that Nalongded is

also a founding member of the QUT Australia Awards Club, an active Australia Awards Student Mentor, while also having time to represent the Lao Student Association of the QUT Committee of Presidents?

On 4 March 2017 over 100 human resource managers from a range of public and private organisations, as well as students, teachers and other 5interested observers, attended the inaugural Laos Human Resource Forum in Vientiane. With the theme ‘Opportunities, Challenges and Practices,’ this one-day forum provided a platform for exchanging local, regional and international experiences in human resource management.

The leadership award caught him by surprise as he did not expect to be recognized for simply being himself. “I feel very humbled, honoured, privileged and grateful to be selected the QUT Alumni Student Leader of the Year 2017. I am thankful for my university (QUT), including the judging panel members who voted for me, the individuals who nominated me and who wrote reference letters to support my nomination, recognised and valued what I did,” said Nalongded.

“The award gives me an opportunity to reflect on how much love, support, and friendship I have been given by countless kind and generous individuals I’ve encountered throughout my life, especially

From left to right, Ms Thipphaphone Phetmany, Ms Anongkhan Sengvixay, Ms Binh Vongphasouk, Mr Souvanny Rattanavong, Ms Malavanh Vilaysom and Mr Sounthone Phommachack

Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake AO presenting Nalongded with the 2017 QUT Alumni Student Leader of the Year Award

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Of particular interest were keynote speeches from two Australian visitors: Mr Adrian Low spoke about labour force developments in the Indo-China region, while Dr Jeanne McConachie from Griffith University in Brisbane spoke about women’s leadership, career development and mentoring.

Participants also heard from Lao experts and practitioners in human resources, discussed new products and services, and took advantage of networking opportunities. The

success of the initial forum has inspired the organisers to ensure it becomes a regular event on the Lao business calendar.

The event was organised by a number of Australian alumni from the human resources business community, including Enterprise Development Consultants (EDC) and Karuna.

The forum was supported by the Australian Embassy, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a number of Lao businesses, with logistical support from LAI.

Sittiphone Thapesuphanh (Toon), HR Forum Co-organiser

Audience participation

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LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 5 July 17

Celebrating a Sapphire Anniversary

Another Sucessful Q&A Forum

Our “sapphire” anniversary. Australia has the longest unbroken diplomatic ties with Laos at the Ambassador level, and has been celebrating this significant milestone with special events throughout the year.

The Australian Ambassador and some Australian alumni 1 Around 200 of the more than 1,500 Lao graduates from Australian universities gathered in Vientiane on 13 March to help celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Laos – our “sapphire” anniversary.

Australian Ambassador John Williams told the attendees at the event that the large, impressive cohort of Australian university graduates across Laos were Australia’s most important asset in the country.

“From the days of the old Colombo Plan to the Australia Awards of the 21st century, we trust the experience of an Australian education has given you not only the skills you need for your careers, but also a deeper understanding of Australia and Australians,” Williams said.

“Whether you are among the more than 1,200 Lao students who have received an Australian Government

scholarship, or one of the several hundred who have studied privately down under, your knowledge of Australia makes you a vital bridge between our two countries.”

“The talent across our alumni network makes me extremely confident in the future of Australia-Laos relations, as we celebrate our first 65 years as diplomatic partners,” the Ambassador said.

In his speech, Ambassador Williams noted the outstanding work of Australian alumni in the fields of public policy, business development and civil society. He highlighted, for example, Dr Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, a graduate of the Australian National University, who helped ensure the old city of Luang Prabang was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Register in 1995.

In December 2016, a crowd of Australian alumni and invited guests listened to a panel discussion on the impact of foreign direct investment in Laos.

businesses on their return to Laos, sometimes with an Australian connection.

Mr Williams said Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, had visited one of these businesses when he was in Vientiane for the ASEAN summit meetings in 2016.

“While he was here, the Prime Minister was able to enjoy a coffee at Naked Espresso. I’m fairly certain the company’s owner, Ariya Khamvongsa, didn’t go to Sydney specifically to learn how to make great coffee. But the presence of an Australian-style business, run by Lao management, helps us understand the benefits of an Australia Award scholarship are not just confined to academic study.”

The alumni event is held annually in March each year.

More recent Australian graduates have established successful MITTAPHAP | 12

From left to right, John Fargher, Rithikone Phoummasack, Duangmala Phommavong, Phongsavanh Phomkong and Vanpheng Southichak. John Williams moderates.

The event was based on the ABC television show “Q&A” and featured the members of the panel grappling with a number of tough questions from the audience.

The Australian Ambassador, Mr John Williams, also clearly enjoyed his role as the panel’s moderator.

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This is the second Q&A event hosted by the Australian Embassy, and there will be another one later in 2017.

1. Vanpheng Southichak encouraging the audience about business start ups 2. A LANS student asks the panel a question MITTAPHAP | 13

LAI NEWSLETTER

News Update

ISSUE 5 July 17

Disability Inclusion in Laos: Introducing Joanne Webber

As the Disability Inclusion Advisor for LAI, I support the inclusion and mainstreaming of people with a disability across a range of LAI activities. In particular, I am focusing on access to English language training and the participation of people with a disability in LANS (Laos Australia National Scholarships).

miss out on education, it is important to explicitly target and support disability inclusion in education as a response to this current inequity.

My work in disability-inclusive education in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region has focused on both the removal of institutional access barriers and the capacity development of people with a disability.

Likewise, the education providers have a positive desire to cater for students with a disability. In partnership with the LAI team, we have identified 8 NUoL students with a vision impairment, now supported within LANS, along with a further 8 students with a disability in their final year at Phiawath upper secondary school in Vientiane, a school that promotes the inclusion of students with a disability.

Through this approach, I will be working with a range of education providers including Vientiane College (VC) and the National University of Laos (NUoL) to assist in responding to the inclusion and capacity development goals of people with a disability in Laos. Given that many people with a disability in Laos, as with many other developing countries,

I have already met with many people with a disability who have a significant range of skills and high level of motivation to access education.

adaptive technology, disability specific skill development and access to academic support. In addition, 21 participants have been selected as the first cohort of students to commence the Disability Inclusive Development (DID) English program at Vientiane College in September.

My next visit to Laos in September will provide an opportunity to connect further with the DID English participants and the new intake of LANS students along with their education providers to further support participation in education for the next generation of leaders with a disability in Laos.

Students with a disability from this school along with other schools across Laos interested in university studies will be informed about LANS scholarships including access to

Meet the New LAI Team Sianong Phomkong Scholarships Manager Sianong Phomkong is a Fulbright Fellow. In 2000, she graduated from the University of South Carolina, USA, the home of the Fighting Gamecocks, with a Master Degree in International Relations. Nearly a decade earlier she had been an honors student at the Varonezh State Pedagogical Institute in former Soviet Union, where she received her first Master Degree in Russian Language and Literature.

Sianong takes pride in having been among a handful of government officials to lay the groundwork for Lao economic cooperation with ASEAN and other nations. At one point, she simultaneously held the position of the national team leader for both the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Investment and the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Services, where experts brainstormed to integrate their diverse economies. As a Deputy Director of the Investment Promotion Division at the Committee

for Planning and Cooperation, Sianong left her footprints along the road for Laos to access the prestigious Japan and EU markets, acquire US NTR status and subsequently become a WTO member.

In 2004, Sianong followed her heart and moved to the USA to be with her spouse. She worked as a freelance consultant, translator and ghostwriter for numerous corporations worldwide.

At her own pace, she finished writing an epic novel in English, which has yet been published. Her English version of Chanthy Deaunsavanh’s three-volume novel The Path of Life came out in 2016.

Sianong returned to Laos and joined the Laos Australia Institute in February, 2017 as the Scholarships Manager. She intends to help her countrypersons obtain higher education and strengthen the relationship between our two countries.

Phonemany Phommachak HRD Associate Phonemany Phommachak was born in Vientiane Capital. Having worked for several international organizations and the Government of Lao PDR, she has a rich and unique mix of work experience.

Phonemany holds a Master of Business and Administration on Human Resource Management from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) Thailand in 2002, a Bachelor of Education from National University of Laos in 1999, and a Diploma in Accounting from Rattana Business Administration College, Vientiane capital in 1999.

Institute. She is responsible for supporting LAI on training and development activities. Prior to joining LAI, Phonemany worked for International Labour Organization, MoNRE (as National Consultant), SNV Netherland Development Organization, INGO Network in Lao PDR, Concern Worldwide Lao PDR, Mekong River Commission Secretariat, and for the Prime Minister’s Office as Personnel Officer based in Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat.

Phonemany has been appointed HRD Associate at the Lao Australia MITTAPHAP | 14

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LAI NEWSLETTER

Alumni Story

ISSUE 5 July 17

A Woman’s Role in Improving Rural Farming “ The best part of my job is to be able to encourage and motivate the communities to love farming and use land sustainably by applying the right techniques for the future of their children and later generations, ”

Chanthaly Syfongxay Diploma in Horticulture Swinburne University of Technology 2010

“ Born and raised in the capital city, I never thought many people still lived in such poor conditions. The exposure propelled me to devote myself to study in this field.

It made me eager to improve horticulture of rural communities,” Agriculture is the main occupation of Lao people in the countryside.

However, like in other developing countries, many farmers in Laos, especially women, still face a number of constraints and an uncertain future.

For the past 14 years, Chanthaly Syfongxay, Australian-trained in horticulture from Swinburne University of Technology, has made a significant contribution to horticultural development in Xiengkhouang Province.

Could anyone imagine walking 9 hours to a remote community in Laos? This was exactly what Chanthaly did in her first assignment - traveling such a long distance on foot in a rural area of Xiengkhouang. What an eye-opening experience it was for her, discovering that many people still lived in severe hardship.

“Born and raised in the capital city, I never thought many people still lived in such poor conditions. The exposure propelled me to devote

myself to study in this field. It made me eager to improve horticulture in rural communities,” said Chanthaly.

She is among a handful Lao women taking the lead in the field of horticulture.

Currently, Chanthaly works as a unit leader supervising 8 male colleagues at the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Xiengkhouang Province.

Her main role is to advocate for horticulture policy, law, techniques and implementation at the community level.

“We examine documents from all stakeholders to ensure good practices are applied in crop production,” said Chanthaly.

Many farmers still use traditional methods and lack skills to improve their yields. Over the past years, Chanthaly has worked with villagers from various communities across Xiengkhouang Province on different projects.

A mulberry-silk farm is one of the

projects promoting silk production as a way to generate income for women.

“This project is great!” exclaimed Chanthaly. “We see its long term positive impacts on the communities as it provides support and training on silk worm rearing, and the art and craft practices of weaving.” Her eyes light up with excitement as she shares this information. “I like my work a lot, even though I find it challenging to deal with multiple stakeholders of different backgrounds, including the government, non-governmental organizations, the business sectors and communities. I try to make sure we engage everyone, move forward together, and have a win-win solution,” she continued.

Studying for a diploma in Australia gave her strong practical skills and knowledge in horticulture which enabled her to analyze positive and negative impacts of an agricultural development project with confidence.

During her school years, Sustainable Agriculture Development was the subject she enjoyed the most.

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Chanthaly believes that sustainable agriculture is a key to reduce poverty.

She has been working hard to ensure farmers have productive crops, multiple crops and well-managed cropping systems. In addition, she has to make sure that ecofriendly practices are applied.

“The best part of my job is to be able to encourage and motivate the communities to love farming and use land sustainably by applying the right techniques for the future of their children and later generations,” she added.

As a single mother raising a son, she has to work harder than her male counterparts to gain and keep respect.

weaknesses to build up a good team work,” she says.

In order to improve her management and leadership skills, she undertook a master degree in Development Management in the Philippines in 2015. Chanthaly constantly widens her professional knowledge. This year she will be attending the Women’s Leadership Executive Development Program delivered by the University of Sydney.

In the field: 1. Chanthaly with silk worm casings 2. Chanthaly and a female farmer

In the future, she plans to apply for a scholarship to do her PhD in agriculture.

“It is not easy to prove myself a leader in the eyes of my male colleagues and supervisors. I need to have enough technical knowledge, while staying open for comments and be supportive to my colleagues by optimizing their strengths and minimizing their MITTAPHAP | 17

LAI NEWSLETTER

An Organic Future

Alumni Story

ISSUE 5 July 17

Thavisith Bounyasouk Master of Philosophy Curtin University of Technology 2006

About 80 percent of the Lao population rely on agricultural production for their livelihoods. As a result, food security and income from agriculture are vitally important for the development of the country.

It is estimated that only four percent of the land in Laos is suitable for agriculture.

A large number of farmers still practice traditional farming methods. In terms of scale of production, Laos faces many challenges, but there is considerable potential for farmers to compete regionally and globally by concentrating on niche markets.

Australian trained Thavisith Bounyasouk is an agricultural expert promoting organic agriculture. As Deputy Director of the Standards Division at the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, he has been developing manuals, guidelines and regulations for organic farming.

Organic production must meet specific standards and achieve appropriate certification.

“The environment of Laos is still clean and this is a driving factor for our country to turn small scale agriculture into quality organic products, creating a unique market niche so we can compete with other countries,” explained Thavisith. “My job plays a direct supporting role for the agriculture sector, in particular the enhancement of productivity, safety and quality of agricultural products,” he said.

Presenting certificates to farmers completing Organic Agriculture Training in Xiengkhouang Province

Born in a farming family in Luang Prabang province, Thavisith left his hometown to study crop science at the National University of Laos with the aim of becoming a civil servant.

In 2006, he received an Australia Award to study an MPhil in Corporate Sustainability at Curtin University of Technology in Perth. The topic of Thavisith’s research was “Triple Bottom Lines in assessing sustainable rice farming systems in Laos.”

The MPhil was related to his previous study however included socio-economic and environmental aspects rather than just technical practices on farms. “Rice is the most important crop in Laos. The government considers rice as part of a food security index. To sustain rice production is a top priority for the government. That’s why I chose to focus on rice farming systems as my research,” said Thavisith.

Thavisith said the most important skills and knowledge he obtained from his study in Australia included critical and analytical thinking, decisionmaking and teamwork approaches.

These are necessary skills needed for his daily work. “The Australia Awards gave me a global vision. It opened my eyes to the world. I now have new ways of thinking and skills of adaptability,” he said.

“Living in Australia also exposed me and my family to new knowledge and experiences, learning and teaching styles as well experiencing new lifestyles and cultures”, he added.

1 His current work not only promotes clean agriculture across the country but certified organic agriculture helps poor farmers add value to their products, improving their incomes and living standards.

So far, Thavisith’s organisation has issued organic certificates to more than 1,900 farming families in Laos.

The main organic products include rice, tea and coffee, which are exported to European countries. “My hope at least is to see farmers apply the standards in their agricultural production (even if it is not organic) as food safety and quality is also very important for people’s health,” said Thavisith.

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1. Inspecting organic goods at a rural market in Oudomxay 2. Grape production in Oudomxay 3. Manuals for organic agricultural production 3

“ The Australia Awards gave me a global vision. It opened my eyes to the world. I now have new ways of thinking and skills of adaptability ” MITTAPHAP | 18

MITTAPHAP | 19

Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility Second Alumni Survey Thank you to all alumni who participated in the first Australia Awards Global Tracer survey.

Responses were received from more than 1500 alumni from 27 different countries, who completed their scholarships in Australia between 2006 and 2010. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with more than 500 respondents.

The Tracer Facility researchers collected information from alumni about their use of knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of their region; their ongoing links and networks with Australians and Australian organisations; and their perceptions of Australia.

Tell us your story: how did receiving an Australian scholarship impact on your life and career?

Another survey will be conducted later in 2017, with a focus on alumni who completed their scholarship between 1996 and 2005. To register your interest in participating in the upcoming research please email australiaawardsGTF@acer.edu.au.

To learn more about The Australian Awards Global Tracer Facility please visit our website www.australiaawardstracerfacility.org and join the Global Alumni network.

You can register to receive this newsletter and updates from the Laos Australia Institute at our website.

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