The University of Western Sydney recently welcomed the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, as she met with students who will be travelling overseas as part of the Commonwealth Government’s $100 million New Colombo Plan (NCP).
The minister, accompanied by Lindsay MP, Fiona Scott, was greeted by UWS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover, and other UWS representatives.
More than 190 UWS students will travel internationally this year as part of the NCP’s scholarship and mobility programs, which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by increasing the number of Australian undergraduate students undertaking study in the region.
One of the students Ms Bishop was introduced to is Holsworthy resident Lakshmi Logathassan.
Laskhmi, the winner of the NSW Young Woman of the Year award, plans to study Japanese units as well as other subjects at the National University of Singapore (the best university in Asia) second semester this year.
In particular, Lakshmi is looking forward to studying at the Lee Kwan Yew Centre for Public Policy.
“I can’t wait to learn about Asia, in Asia,’’ Laskhmi said.
She and the other UWS students will travel to countries such as Thailand, Japan and Singapore, where they will undertake internships or conduct various projects that range from clinical placements in hospitals to working on sustainable development and community business projects run by non government organisations (NGOs).
The Australian Government has committed $100 million of new funding over five years for the New Colombo Plan (NCP).
The NCP involves:
· a prestigious scholarship program offered to Australian undergraduate students for study in the Indo-Pacific region for up to one year
· a flexible mobility program which supports thousands of students to undertake both short and long-term study, internships, mentorships, clinical placements and short-term research in the region.
During the minister’s visit, Professor Glover also announced the university’s own complementary Academy Global Leaders Program.
The UWS-funded initiative offers UWS’s very best students an international academic or leadership experience, with 25 students also having the opportunity to travel this year as part of the program.
Professor Glover said expanding the University’s international horizons is a strategic priority for UWS, and he would like to see increasing numbers of students study internationally and develop a deeper engagement with our region.
“The experiences and relationships we forge through education permeate, inform and shape our future endeavours,” said Professor Glover.
“Spending time overseas to study is a life-changing experience, and the positive impact of initiatives like the New Colombo Plan will be felt for years to come.
“In addition to the vital scholarly experience, students forge friendships and connections, develop leadership skills, and gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, which is invaluable for their future careers.
“This is an opportunity that is guaranteed to enhance our students’ personal and professional lives, long after they return home.”
