Australian Awards Scholars from PNG Win Allison Sudradjat Prize for 2021

 Two Papua New Guineans have won Allison Sudradjat Prize for 2021. The Australian High Commission in PNG congratulated the two scholars. 

"Congratulations to Benishar Kombut and Posangat Ilius – winners of the Allison Sudradjat Prize for 2021.


The Prize is awarded annually to two high-achieving Australia Awards scholars from Papua New Guinea in honour of Allison Sudradjat and her many contributions to education and the #PNGAusPartnership.

Allison was posted to the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby where she is fondly remembered. She died tragically in Indonesia in the course of her duties in 2007.

Deputy High Commissioner Paul Lehmann presented the 2021 Allison Sudradjat Prize to the winners at a ceremony on 18 January at the Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby.

“Allison Sudradjat was passionate about education and made an enduring contribution to the partnership between our two countries. I’m thrilled we’re honouring her legacy through this prestigious prize,” Deputy High Commissioner Lehmann said.


A community health scientist, Benishar intends to use the Allison Sudradjat Prize to develop a diagnostic tool to track multiple pathogens – the organisms that cause disease. Posangat is a human resource expert and plans to use the prize to develop his professional experience and contribute to change management in PNG’s public sector.

The awardees have been selected to study at The University of Melbourne and the University of South Australia, respectively. 

Twenty-six Australia Awards scholars from PNG have been awarded the Allison Sudradjat Prize since it began in 2008.


Photo & Story by Australian High Commission PNG


Next : PNG Students Graduate in Style from Universities across Australia

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