Asia Society-Victoria Distinguished Fellowship

Asia Society Australia-Victoria Distinguished Fellowship is a partnership between Asia Society Australia and the Victorian Government to bring the best minds and ideas from Asia and Australia to Victoria. It aims to generate new ideas and promote greater economic, strategic and cultural connectivity between Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The Fellowship will showcase the state of Victoria as Australia's centre of excellence for Asia insights and capabilities. 

One Fellowship will be awarded annually to a thought-leader from Asia or Australia from public, private and non-profit sectors to develop new approaches and practical solutions to deepen and broaden Australia’s relations with Asia. 

Manoj Kohli, Country Head of SoftBank India, SoftBank Group International, was appointed the second Asia Society-Victoria Distinguished Fellow in May 2020.

Thomas Trikasih Lembong, Chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board and former Indonesian Minister of Trade, was the inaugural recipient of the Asia Society Australia-Victoria Distinguished Fellowship in November 2017.