UNSW awarded $1.5m in New Colombo funding

More than 200 UNSW students will travel to the Indo-Pacific region next year under the federal government’s New Colombo Plan.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop today announced funding of $1.5 million in mobility grants to UNSW over three years.

Fourteen UNSW projects have been approved for 2016 including ambassador programs for 60 students in Indonesia and China, a global business practicum in Hong Kong, an engineering health initiative in Cambodia and a field school project in Samoa.

Mobility projects are open to students from any discipline and range from short-term study tours to semester-based study and internships.

UNSW Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) Fiona Docherty said the projects would contribute to the UNSW experience, enabling students to build strong connections across the region.

“This significant increase in funding equates to an additional 525 scholarship places over three years to assist UNSW students to undertake an overseas experience,” Ms Docherty said.

“It will provide a wonderful opportunity for students to increase their level of knowledge and understanding of the Indo-Pacific region and enhance their future career opportunities.”

The government has committed more than $100 million in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan, which includes both the mobility grants program and a prestigious scholarships program.

Ms Bishop said the total number of students funded by the New Colombo Plan exceeded 10,000 in the first three years of the program.

“Australia is investing in the next generation of leaders who will continue to build on our important relationships within our region,” she said.

A New Colombo Plan Alumni Network has been created to ensure networks established through participation in the program are long lasting.

Full details of projects funded are available at the DFAT website. 

Read more about UNSW's New Colombo Plan scholars here.