Antony Perry
6 July 2018: More than 300 students studying at the University of Canberra will benefit from an international study experience in 2019 as part of the Federal Government’s New Colombo Plan Mobility Program.
The University has been awarded $398,200 in new funding to support undergraduate students to study and undertake internships in the Indo-Pacific region next year. When combined with funding for multi-year projects received in previous rounds, up to 329 students will share in $1.1 million in funding in 2019.
The New Colombo Plan Mobility Program is an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which aims to increase knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region.
Students from a range of disciplines will spend time in Samoa, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Sri Lanka and Nepal, among other countries in the region, to enhance their study experience at the University.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Klomp welcomed the new funding.
“We know studying abroad is good for students and we encourage them to take the opportunities on offer under the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program,” Professor Klomp said.
“Not only is it a chance for them to expand their skill set and go beyond their comfort zone, but they are able to grow their knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region and learn about the cultures that make it so diverse.
“The University’s strategic plan Distinctive by Design captures our commitment to expanding and diversifying opportunities for international academic exchanges. We’re making this a reality for our students.
“The University has a whole range of programs that will allow our students to engage with their peers, other institutions, and prospective employers on a global scale.”
Funding highlights for 2019 include:
- Multi-year funding for a cross-discipline health project in Nepal will see 36 students over consecutive years engage with communities devastated by the 2015 earthquakes.
- Physiotherapy and pharmacy students will be able to access funded overseas study opportunities for the first time.
- Two funded semester-long exchange programs in Thailand and Hong Kong for students studying architecture and education programs.
- The University will lead a collaborative language and internship project to China with Australian partner universities Charles Sturt University, Queensland University of Technology, RMIT, University of New England and Western Sydney University. The program will be facilitated by Universities Australia.
- Twelve law students will head to Thailand to gain a first-hand perspective of the Thai legal system and build on their knowledge of global justice systems.
