Melbourne students honoured with New Colombo Plan Scholarships

Three University of Melbourne students have been awarded New Colombo Plan Scholarships, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop presented Bachelor of Fine Arts student Sarah Brasier and Bachelor of Science students Thomas Keogh and Kaih Mitchell with the prestigious scholarships at the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Dinner on Monday 28 November.

The New Colombo Plan Scholarship is open to Australian undergraduate students who wish to undertake study and internships in participating Indo-Pacific locations.

Students are selected based on academic excellence, leadership in their communities, adaptability and resilience, and the ability to contribute to the New Colombo Plan goals.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Sue Elliott said: “The scholarships are an invaluable way for students to connect with the wider Indo-Pacific region. It allows students to explore and develop their knowledge and ties with our regional neighbours.

“The Growing Esteem strategy emphasises the University’s commitment to provide more opportunities for our students to engage with Asia and the rest of the world, and student participation in the New Colombo Plan is something the institution is incredibly proud of

“We congratulate all the scholarship recipients, including our own University of Melbourne students, and wish them well in their studies abroad.”

The program has allowed more than 17 500 students to study and intern in the Indo-Pacific region since it was first launched four years ago.

Sarah Braiser and Thomas Keogh will travel to Japan with the grant, while Kaih Mitchell plans to study in Indonesia.