The UNSW Business School has secured over $250,000 of mobility grants in the latest round of the New Colombo Plan, an initiative to encourage young Australians to have an educational or work-based experience in Asia.
The grants, paid directly to undergraduate students, will enable them to take part in the School’s Global Business Practicum, the Social Entrepreneurship Practicum and the First Year Immersion China course.
“We run these courses across the Asian region, giving our students an opportunity to gain an international workplace experience as part of their course,” said Mark Uncles, Deputy Dean (Education). “These courses are an important part of our 2020 Strategy, particularly two-way engagement with Asia.”
The Australian Government has committed more than $100 million over 5 years, for mobility grants and individual scholarships, under the New Colombo Plan. The next round of scholarships will be announced in December. “Australia is investing in the next generation of leaders who will continue to build on our important relationships within our region,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said.
“Cost is one of the biggest barriers to an overseas experience for most students,” said Andrew Roe, Manager International Projects at the Business School. “Some of the funding in this latest round is to be used over multiple years so that allows us to plan ahead with certainty and provide opportunities to students who may not otherwise be able to participate in these courses”, he said.
Over the 2015/16 summer break students from the Business School will take part in for-credit courses in Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai and the southern Indian state of Karnataka. In 2016 New Colombo Plan grants will be made to 75 Business School students.
