New Colombo Plan scholars jet set for studies
A group of passionate CQUniversity undergraduates will spend time overseas learning from our Indo-Pacific neighbours with three students named recipients of the 2023 New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship.
The scholars were formally announced at an Awards Ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday' 6 December 2022.
The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting a diverse cohort of Australian undergraduates to live and learn in the Indo-Pacific.
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Information Technology student Jack Brauman will use the scholarship to undertake classes in international and human rights law at the University of New Caledonia in Noumea early next year.
Currently employed as a policeman in Weipa' North Queensland' Jack will use the NCP experience to build upon his current legal knowledge while immersing himself in the French language.
Central Queensland residents Ashleigh Gleeson and Patrick Ward will both travel to South Korea next year where they are excited to learn about the country's rich culture and history firsthand.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) student Patrick was also named as the Fellow for South Korea at the NCP Awards Ceremony' recognising him as the top scholar from the 2023 NCP Scholars heading to South Korea.
Patrick will study aerospace engineering for two semesters at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology before utilising the travel opportunity to complete internships at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute' LG' and Samsung.
Ashleigh will complete an exchange at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea in Term 2 where the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student will complete Korean language and education classes.
The 2023 round of NCP scholarships will see the largest cohort of scholars travel to the Indo-Pacific since the initiative began in 2014.
Through the NCP' each Australian University can nominate up to 15 students per year. Scholars are encouraged to undertake study' Language Training and an Internship and/or Mentorship' studying at a University of their choice' funded for up to 19 months.
CQUniversity Study Abroad Coordinator Samantha Ambridge said this was an exciting year for the University as more than half of CQU's nominated students were shortlisted for NCP Scholarship interviews and subsequently awarded three scholarships.
An additional three NCP Scholars from previous rounds will also complete scholarship programs in 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic postponed travel.
- Anna Rea – 12 months Tokyo University of Agriculture' Japan
- Carlie Sommers – 12 months Hokkaido University' Japan
- Maitland Bezzina – 12 months Taiwan National University' Taiwan
"With international borders and travel restrictions beginning to ease' it's great to see six of our passionate CQU students have their chance to pursue their passions in the Indo-Pacific in 2023'" Ms Ambridge said.
"Our scholars come from a diverse range of backgrounds' fields of study and regional locations. They will play an important role in deepening Australia's relationships in the region' building strong people-to-people and institutional links with our closest neighbours."
