Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility (GTF) Case Study
From 2016 to 2024, Wallis conducted extensive quantitative studies, collecting data from alumni to explore their pathways following graduation. These studies provided consistent insights into how study experiences in Australia influenced their professional trajectories.
For over 70 years, Australia has been a pioneer in educational exchange through international scholarships and short courses aimed at emerging leaders from developing countries. Initiatives like the Colombo Plan of the 1950s laid the groundwork for what is now known as the Australia Awards. The Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility (GTF) played a critical role in collecting data on alumni outcomes over eight years, enhancing our understanding of the long-term impacts of these investments.
Client Background
The GTF was established to monitor and evaluate the contributions of alumni from various development scholarships administered under the broader umbrella of Australia's educational exchange programs. From 2016-2024, Wallis conducted this fieldwork for the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) on behalf of the Australia Government Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT).
Australia Awards Overview
The Australia Awards is a whole-of-government initiative that unites scholarships and fellowships administered by DFAT, the Department of Education, and ACIAR. It aims to empower the next generation of leaders from developing countries through study in Australia. This program has been instrumental in building human capital globally and increasing cooperation with Australians.
Key components include:
Scholarships: Targeted at professionals seeking advanced education in Australia.
Fellowships: Aimed at mid-career professionals, government officials, and business executives for short courses or research projects.
Short Courses: Designed for individuals looking to enhance specific skills relevant to their careers.
Over the years, these awards have evolved from the Colombo Plan scholarships of the 1950s to a diverse range of programs supporting over 5,000 scholars annually. The initiative covers various fields such as education, business, health, governance, and environmental management.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the GTF are to:
Track and analyse the contributions of alumni to their home countries.
Assess the impact on sustainable development.
Evaluate the public diplomacy benefits yielded by Australia through its global network of enriched award recipients.
Establish a robust evidence base to inform strategic decisions related to the program's future direction.
Methodology
From 2016 to 2024, Wallis conducted extensive quantitative studies, collecting data from alumni to explore their pathways following graduation. These studies provided consistent insights into how study experiences in Australia influenced their professional trajectories.
The GTF also engages in tracing activities to update contact details and maintain engagement with alumni networks. Research findings are compiled and published to provide insights into the outcomes of Australia Awards alumni.
The GTF surveyed a diverse group of alumni, reflecting the broad scope and impact of the Australia Awards program. These individuals hail from over 100 countries across various continents, including Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. They come from numerous professional fields such as education, health, governance, business, environmental management, and agriculture. The surveyed alumni range in career stages from recent graduates to mid-career professionals, having participated in scholarships, fellowships, or short courses.
Challenges
The initial phase of the GTF encountered several challenges, including language barriers during telephone surveys and outdated contact information, which complicated respondent location efforts. Wallis addressed these issues by prioritising online survey methods (CAWI), supported by telephone, leveraging stronger written English skills among alumni.
Impact and Insights
Through its involvement with the GTF, Wallis has facilitated valuable data collection that informs DFAT’s strategies. These findings are instrumental in shaping future strategies to enhance program effectiveness and foster international cooperation. The study results, which provide a detailed analysis of alumni pathways following graduation, can be found on the DFAT website here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-global-tracer-facility
Conclusion
Wallis' commitment to innovative methodologies and adaptive strategies underscores its crucial role within the GTF. By continuously evolving approaches to overcome challenges, Wallis contributed significantly to maximising the long-term benefits of the Australia Awards for both global leaders and their home countries.