ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Australian High Commission in Islamabad on Thursday bade farewell to 83 Pakistani recipients of scholarships funded under various programmes by the Australian government.

Scholars would undertake masters and doctorate level study in various Australian universities during the academic year of 2009, says a press statement.

The scholarships have been supported under various programmes; Australian development scholarships, the Australia Pakistan Scholarships Programme, the AusAID-Carnegie Mellon University Scholarships Programme and the Agriculture Sector Linkages Programme Awards.

Students will study in the areas of health, education, environment, agriculture, governance, information technology, business administration and economics.

Speaking on the occasion, Australian High Commissioner Zorica McCarthy said the scholarships were intended for emerging leaders in Pakistan and the region.

These scholarships aim to contribute to the long-term development needs of Pakistan, promoting good governance, economic growth and human development, she said.

Australia would provide approximately $30 million in the development assistance to Pakistan in 2008-09. The Australian government is enhancing its engagement with Pakistan and will subsequently scale up its aid programme in the coming years.