Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills and Federal Member for McPherson
the Hon Karen Andrews MP has congratulated Holli Sargeant from Bond University who has been awarded an Australian Government scholarship to live, study and intern in the Indo-Pacific.
“Holli received one of only 105 prestigious
New Colombo Plan scholarships awarded across Australia to support our nation’s
best and brightest to engage with our region,” Minister Andrews said.
Holli currently studies a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Relations at
Bond University and will undertake studies in political science and Chinese
language for one semester at the National University of Singapore. Holli plans
to undertake an internship in the legal or research sectors.
The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government to lift
knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian undergraduates to study
and intern in the region.
“New Colombo Plan scholarships recognise students’ exceptional academic performance,
community engagement and commitment to deepening relationships with our
neighbours in the Indo-Pacific,” Mrs Andrews said.
“While overseas, New Colombo Plan scholars act as ambassadors for their communities,
universities and indeed Australia. We can all be proud of our scholars’
achievements and look forward to their contribution to Australia’s relationship
with the Indo-Pacific in the years ahead.”
New Colombo Plan 2017 scholars were announced last night by Minister for Foreign
Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and Minister for Education and Training,
Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham.
“New Colombo Plan scholars will study in 17 Indo-Pacific locations in 2017,
including Pakistan and Papua New Guinea for the first time,” Minister Bishop
said.
“This reflects the continued strong demand for diverse study opportunities in our region.”
The NCP scholars will join more than 7,400 New Colombo Plan mobility grant
recipients in 2017, taking the total number of students supported by the NCP in
its first four years to 17,500.
“This is a remarkable achievement that reflects the commitment of the Government, our
universities and business champions to invest in our young people and demonstrate
our genuine commitment to long-term engagement with our region,” Minister
Bishop said.
Interest from undergraduate students in applying for opportunities under the New Colombo
Plan remains strong.
“New Colombo Plan 2017 scholars represent 30 Australian universities across every
State and Territory, and will pursue a broad range of studies including law,
business and engineering,” Education Minister Simon Birmingham said.
“As Minister Bishop and I reiterated last week at the first meeting of the Council
for International Education, the international mobility of students is a vital
part of building our longer term people-to-people links which will be a
fundamental aspect of Australia’s economic and cultural prosperity into the
future.”
