The Hamer Scholarships Program
Study Korean in Seoul, Korea
The Hamer Scholarships offer Victorians the opportunity for language study
and cultural engagement with Korea.
Korea is a key player in today’s international economy and plays a pivotal
economic role in North East Asia, a region of great economic importance to
Australia.
Live and study in Korea and improve language skills and cultural
understanding; develop business and people-to-people networks; and
contribute to Victoria’s international engagement.
 Hamer Scholarships for intensive language study in Korea are
valued at $15,000.
 The scholarships are offered for a minimum of two terms
(equivalent to one semester, approximately 5-6 months) at
selected universities and institutions in Korea.
 Hamer Scholarship application Rounds:
Round 1 - March - April
Round 2 - August - September
Check website for exact application opening / closing dates.
 The program is open to Victorians aged 21 or above who are
Australian citizens or permanent residents (Victorians living
and working in Korea may be considered).
 The scholarships are primarily aimed at Victorians working in the
public, private, not-for-profit and creative and academic
industries with linkages to Korea.
 Applicants should demonstrate how the scholarship would
significantly benefit their business, career path, study plan, or
their employer’s current or future engagement with Korea.
 Scholarship recipients will become business, cultural and
educational representatives for Victoria.
For application dates, further information about the scholarships and how to
apply, visit: dsdbi.vic.gov.au/hamerscholarships
Having strong Korean language and cultural understanding skills can greatly
benefit business partnerships and overall engagement with Korea.
Document Title: The Hamer Scholarships Program– Accessible Word Version
Department of State Development Business and Innovation
Published July 2014
 As Australia’s 4th largest trading partner and 3rd largest export
destination, Korea’s sophisticated market, competitive
industries and world class global companies such as Samsung,
Hyundai, Daewoo, KIA Motors, POSCO, FILA and LG
Electronics offer Victorian businesses significant opportunities.
 Korea claims the highest university graduation rate and highest
labour productivity improvement rate in the OECD
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
making it a country strong in research, innovation, new
technologies and a world leader in IT connectivity. Korea holds
strong traditional and cultural values with sophisticated and
world class design and creative industries making it a unique
and diverse hub for design, cuisine and the arts.
 Victorians are well placed to engage with this innovative and
dynamic market, across all industries, and to forge mutually
beneficial partnerships.
 Korea has a population of 50 million people and is currently the
world’s 11th largest economy. Over the past four decades,
Korea has demonstrated incredible growth and global
integration to become a high-tech industrialised economy.
 According to the McKinsey Global Institute, Korea spends a
larger percentage of its GDP on research and development
than Germany, the United Kingdom, or the United States. A
number of global companies including Google Engineering,
Kimberly-Clarke and Siemens have set up their research and
development centres in Korea.
 According to a World Bank Doing Business 2012 survey, Korea
is the 8th easiest place in the world to do business and the 3rd
easiest in East Asia.
 Victoria and Busan have shared a sister-state relationship since
1994. In 2014 the Victorian Government announced the
establishment of a new Victorian Government Business Office
(VGBO) in Seoul. The office will facilitate trade, investment,
tourism links and broader engagement.
Document Title: The Hamer Scholarships Program– Accessible Word Version
Department of State Development Business and Innovation
Published July 2014