ONLY ONLINE APPLICATION WILL BE

ACCEPTED.
oua.scholarships@gmail.com

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DISPLACED STUDENTS

FROM BURMA IN THAILAND
October 2010
www.open.edu.au

About Open Universities Australia

Open Universities Australia (OUA) is a company owned by seven Australian universities: Curtin University,
Griffith University, Macquarie University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of
Technology and University of South Australia.

Australian universities are world renowned for their quality due to strong government support and their highly
regarded accreditation processes. The Australian Universities Quality Agency ensures that the quality of
education is of the highest standard. In addition, national protocols mean that the term ‘university’ can only
be used by government accredited higher education institutions.

OUA provides flexible ways to study towards a university degree for those who cannot study on campus by
removing the barriers of distance, time and entry requirements. There are four three-month study periods
each year beginning March, June, September and December.

About The Scholarship

In 2006, the OUA Board of Management allocated 25 scholarships to address the educational needs of
displaced people from Burma in Thailand and assist them to achieve their academic goals.

The scholarship provides support for students to complete a degree qualification through OUA. It provides
for:
1. Tuition fees for the completion of a degree – that means 24 undergraduate units or up to 12
postgraduate units
2. Educational resources - textbooks, CDs, course materials.

In addition, OUA provides an onsite coordinator located in Thailand who acts as a support person and tutor
in relation to general issues of study.

OUA Academic Transition Program

All undergraduate students are required to successfully complete an academic transition program before
progressing to their program of choice. The aim of this program is to improve students’ written English skills
and provide orientation to study at university level within the Australian context. It consists of four units:

1st Study Period: English Preparation

IELTS500 or IELTS Master
2nd Study Period: Foundation Unit - 1 unit from:
PREPAC Preparing for Academic Study
3rd Study Period: Foundation Unit - 1 unit from:
SSK13 Learning & Communication Behaviour
SSK10 Tertiary Learning Strategies
SSK12 Introduction to University Learning
4th Study Period: Commence Major Sequence:
Choose a major sequence and complete the first Level 1 unit in
accordance with the recommended study pattern in the course
description.

Note that one Study Skills unit (SSK unit) will count towards an undergraduate degree.

Students may be able to receive credit for previous studies conducted at other institutions. This would be subject
to a formal application process through the provider university.

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October 2010
Degree Programs:
Following successful completion of the OUA Academic Transition Program, students can undertake any
undergraduate degree program that does not require attendance. Normally, this will be one of the following
programs.

a. Bachelor of Business (Swinburne) – majors in Economics, Information and Business Systems,

Marketing, and Tourism Management.
b. Bachelor of Technology (Computing Studies) (RMIT)
c. Bachelor of Arts (Griffith) – choice of eight majors.
d. Bachelor of Arts (Macquarie) – choice of four majors.
e. Bachelor of Arts (Community Development) (Murdoch)
f. Bachelor of Communication (Griffith) – majors in Journalism, Media Communication, and Public
Relations.
g. Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Griffith) – choice of three majors.
h. Bachelor of Accounting (University of South Australia)
Postgraduate students can make application for any program that does not require attendance.

Academic Progress:
Undergraduate students must successfully complete the OUA Academic Transition Program before being
awarded a full scholarship for the degree program of their choice.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students must:

1. maintain a pass rate of at least 50% of units, once four units have been attempted.
2. be permitted no more than two attempts at each unit;
3. not take a first study break of longer than two consecutive study periods, except where the offer
schedule imposes a necessary longer break;
4. seek written approval for any subsequent study breaks which are longer than one study period.

Scholarship holders are required to abide by all the terms and conditions of the scholarship which will be
outlined in a contract letter signed by the student.

Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
1. be a displaced person from Burma, living in Thailand;
2. have completed a Post Ten educational/ training program or have a minimum of 2 years of full time work
experience;
3. be able to support themselves financially;
4. demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written English;
5. demonstrate the motivation and capacity to successfully com4plete a university program;
6. be computer literate and have regular access to a computer and the Internet for online study.

English Language Requirements:

For successful study, OUA recommends that international students wishing to study through Open
Universities Australia achieve an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of at
least:
• 6.5 for undergraduate study
• 7.0 for postgraduate study

Selection Process:
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic record, application form, references, English language
test and interview, indicating the applicant’s English language skills and capacity for university education.
Equity in terms of age, ethnicity, location and gender will be taken into account.

How to apply
1. Complete the OUA University Scholarship Application Form, including:
a. your choice of study program – Business, IT, Arts or Humanities, or postgraduate course

OUA Application for Scholarship for Displaced Students from Burma in Thailand Page 2 of 10
October 2010
 b. essays 1, 2 and 3.
c. copies of your current and all academic transcripts (if not available, explain why).
d. copies of official documentation (the identifying pages of your passport or other official I.D. with
English translation). If no documents are available, please attach a short explanation.
e. proof of your ethnicity from Burma with English translation. If no documents are available,
please attach a short explanation.
f. names of two (2) people whom you have asked to complete the Reference Forms: one, a
teacher or academic advisor familiar with your academic capacity; the other a responsible adult,
other than a family member, who knows you well.
2. Email Application Forms to: oua.scholarships@gmail.com
3. Only online applications will be accepted.
4. The closing date for receipt of applications is 27 October, 2010
5. If selected for interview, attend interview and sit test on (date and place to be decided). Applicants must
bring 1 set of copies of original documents to the interview.
6. Successful candidates must attend an Orientation, and negotiate access to computer and Internet with
the Coordinator, before commencing study in early December, 2010..
7. You will only be contacted by OUA Burma Project Scholarships Selection Team if you are successful
with your application.

Application Timeline:

Application Deadline: 27 October 2010

Short Listed applicants informed: 1-5 November 2010

English Test: 8 – 20 November 2010

Interview and IT Test: 8 – 20 November 2010

Applicants Notified: 24 November 2010

and Accept offer:
OUA Enrolments Close: 26 November 2010

Study Commencement date: 13 December 2010

Additional Instructions
1. Read the following pages carefully before you fill out the application, and make sure that you understand
everything. It may make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful application.
2. NOTE: If one or more of the documents mentioned above is missing from your application, without
explanation, your application will be disqualified. If you expect a document to become available after you
submit your application, please indica
3. te this in a cover letter and send the missing document as soon as it becomes available.
4. Inform us IMMEDIATELY of any change of address and contact number after you submit your
application!

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATION WILL BE

ACCEPTED.
oua.scholarships@gmail.com

Mr. Thein Naing BApplSc GradDipEd MEd PhD Candidate

Academic Support Coordinator
Open Universities Australia
thein.naing@open.edu.au

OUA Application for Scholarship for Displaced Students from Burma in Thailand Page 3 of 10
October 2010
www.open.edu.au

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT THE ABOVE INFORMATION PAGES

OUA Application for Scholarship for Displaced Students from Burma in Thailand Page 4 of 10
October 2010
 ONLY ONLINE APPLICATION WILL BE
ACCEPTED.
oua.scholarships@gmail.com

APPLICATION FORM FOR UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR

DISPLACED PERSONS FROM BURMA IN THAILAND 2010

• All information is treated with strict confidence.

• All questions MUST be answered unless marked ‘Optional’.
• Type in BLOCK capitals.
• All applications must be completed in English.

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Open Universities Australia Student ID No. (Please leave blank)

2. What level of study are you applying for? Undergraduate Postgraduate

3. Name(s) (As they appear on your documents)

4. Preferred Name (Optional)

5. Other names (Optional)

6. Title (please √) Dr Mr Mrs Ms Miss Other (specify)

7. Date of Birth Day Month Year

8. Gender Male Female

9. Mailing Address

10. Telephone Mobile

11. Email

12. Do you have regular access to a No Yes Where?

computer?

13. Do you have regular access to the Internet? No Yes Where?

14. Where did you hear about the OUA Scholarships

for Displaced Persons?

SECTION 2: EDUCATIONAL AND PERSONAL BACKGROUND

14. List current and past (up to three 3) educational institution/s you have attended.

1. Name of Institution
Location Country
Qualification Achieved
Year of Study - From To

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October 2010
2. Name of Institution
Location Country
Qualification Achieved
Year of Study - From To

3. Name of Institution
Location Country
Qualification Achieved
Year of Study - From To

15. To which ethnic group or groups do you belong?

Akha Burman Chin Kachin Karen Karenni Kayan

La Hu Mon Pa O Palaung Shan Wa

Other (please specify)

Please attach documentation to prove your origins in Burma (letter from community camp leader,
for example).

16. Who do you live with?

Family Friend/s Dormitory Other (specify)

17. Are you able to attend a written test in Mae Sot? Yes No

If NO, what is the nearest border town where you could sit the test?

18. Refugee Status Please check the box(es) to indicate which documents you have.

Burmese Passport, Tourist Visa Burmese Passport No Visa

Burmese Passport Non Immigrant Visa Thai ID
Camp Registration Document PAB document
Thai Work Permit Other {please specify)

Please attach copies of documentation if possible.

19. Date of leaving Burma 20. Date of arrival in Thailand

21. Have you applied for resettlement? No Yes Country

22. In which country and state were you born?

23. What languages do you

speak well?
write well?
read well?

24. Do you have a disability, impairment or long-term medical condition that might affect your
studies?
No Yes If yes, specify

25. Emergency Contact in case we need to need to get a message to you quickly:

Name Relationship

Contact Details

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October 2010
26. Work History Please include any paid or voluntary work you have done.

Dates of Name of Type of Work Weekly

Employment Employer Salary (if paid)

SECTION 3: ESSAYS
27. ESSAYS: We ask you to write these essays to tell us who you are, your thoughts about the
situation in Burma, and why you want to study. The essays must be written by you, using your own
words and expressing your own ideas. Each essay should be no more than 250-300 words.
Please confine your essays to the three topics outlined below.

Note that
• Applications without required essays will be considered incomplete.
• Candidates submitting identical essays, or information downloaded from the Internet, will be
disqualified!

1. Biography. Would you please tell us about yourself and your family? Tell us how and why you left
Burma and what your status is where you live today. Describe any education you are receiving now
and your past educational experiences. In some detail, tell us how you support yourself now. What
are your plans for the next five years and how might you achieve them?

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October 2010
2. Your Country. Would you please tell us what you think about current conditions in Burma and
Burma’s current place in the world? If you had an opportunity to work for change in Burma, how would
you do this? What things would you seek to change and what things would you seek to preserve or
develop? Realistically, what could you do to make a difference and help bring about changes?

3. What do you want to study and why? How do you know you have any aptitude for this field of
study? Why do you want to study this program and how will you use what you learn?

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October 2010
OUA Application for Scholarship for Displaced Students from Burma in Thailand Page 9 of 10
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SECTION 4: REFEREES
28. Names of people who you have asked to complete Reference Forms:

Academic: Teacher
Name:

Contact Details:

Personal: Responsible Adult not related to you

Name:

Contact Details:
SECTION 5: PROPOSED PROGRAM OF STUDY
29. Proposed Program of Study
Please indicate which program and Major you are interested in studying after you have completed the
Academic Transition Program:

Program* Major*

*Please note that you may change your preference at a later date.

APPLICANT DECLARATION AND SIGNATURE

My signature indicates that all of the information contained in my application and
supporting documents is true and honestly presented.

Signature: Date:

NOTE: You must bring all the documents, academic records, transcripts and referee letters to
the test centers and interviews if short-listed.

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATION WILL BE

ACCEPTED.
oua.scholarships@gmail.com
www.open.edu.au

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October 2010