What makes Australia a good place for postgraduate education?

With its world-class universities, highly qualified faculty, modern facilities, and innovative research, Australia is a foremost destination for international students taking either undergraduate or postgraduate programs. One valuable aspect of studying in Australia is work-integrated learning. It is a way for students to immerse themselves in the workforce while working on a project or research. This allows international students to experience working in a diverse Australian environment and gaining experience and skills.

Australia has a great quality of life, which includes safe, clean, and contemporary cities, stunning landscapes, and outstanding healthcare and public services. Universities in Australia also provide a wide range of services, including academic support, counselling, and well-being programs. This ensures international students succeed not only academically but also professionally and emotionally.

As a Filipino scholar, what are you most proud of?

As a Filipino scholar, I am most proud of the strength and flexibility of each student studying abroad. My Australia Awards journey has not been easy, with challenges, changes in priorities, and personal reasons, but following the bamboo, I bend with the wind, accept these challenges, and learn from them.

I take great pride in being chosen as a scholar for the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship and representing my organisation – the Philippine Competition Commission.

Give one word to describe your Australia Awards journey.

Enlightened.

Now that you're back, how are you making a difference in your field/community?

My re-entry action plan for my organisation focuses on a robust cybersecurity roadmap, outlining the needed people, process and technology to strengthen our cybersecurity posture and to protect the organisation information from threat actors. The tools, techniques and practices I have learned from my studies will be included in the plan and will be incorporated in the Information Security Management System (ISMS) of the organisation.

I would also like to lead a culture of change for cybersecurity in my organisation to promote the positive mindset that security is not only the Information Technology professional’s responsibility but everyone’s responsibility. It focuses on continual learning, adaptation, and collaboration at all levels of an organisation. It moves the emphasis from reactive to preventive measures by raising awareness, sharing best practices, and incorporating cybersecurity into daily activities. This cultural transformation facilitates the early detection of possible risks, promotes transparency, and decreases vulnerabilities. As cyber threats evolve, organisations with a strong culture of change remain resilient, agile, and capable of responding quickly, ensuring the long-term security of both data and systems in an ever-changing digital landscape.