The fact the New Colombo Plan (NCP) continues to expand and deliver quantifiable benefits for Australia and the students who embrace it, should ensure the program is recognised as world standard in furthering both diplomacy and education.
Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight (Go8) Chief Executive, said today’s joint statement from the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham that 105 scholarships have been awarded to join 7,400 mobility students for 2017 “surely indicates a gold standard program by anyone’s estimation”.
“It means that 105 of Australia’s best undergraduates have the opportunity through scholarships to study in 17 Indo-Pacific locations in 2017,” she said “and they take the total number of students supported by the NCP in its first four years to 17,500.
“In just a few short years, the NCP has had a significant impact, with thousands of our students having the opportunity to study and undertake either an internship, placement or mentorship in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Ms Thomson said she was always proud of the number of Go8 students selected as part of the prestigious scholarship program. This year, Go8 students were awarded 44 of the scholarships and 13 of the 17 “Fellows” – scholarships for the most outstanding NCP students.
“But in addition”, she said, “as a member of the NCP Reference Group I am immensely proud of how 30 universities in our sector have fully embraced the opportunities the NCP offers for their students and for Australia.”
Contact: Vicki Thomson, Group of Eight Chief Executive on +61 438 047 155