Bradfield students to study in region under New Colombo Plan

Member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher, says that undergraduate students from Bradfield will be amongst more than 3000 young Australians to receive mobility grants to live, study and work in the Indo-Pacific region in 2015.

Announced by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Education Minister Christopher Pyne, the grants are part of the Australian Government’s flagship New Colombo Plan initiative.

Mr Fletcher said the students, aged between 18 and 28 years, from the University of Sydney, University of NSW, Macquarie University, and others, will study in one of 32 locations in our region for short courses to full semester programs.

“Bradfield students will benefit directly from these opportunities to live, study and work in the region, deepening their understanding of our neighbours and forging friendships and professional connections that will last a lifetime,” he said.

“Our students will return home with new insights and understanding about the region that will help them to contribute to the economic and cultural life of Bradfield.”

New Colombo Plan mobility grants support undergraduate students to undertake study, practicums, clinical placements, internships and mentorships, and short-term research across a diverse range of disciplines.

The Government has committed $100 million in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan. The New Colombo Plan pilot year has supported 40 scholars and more than 1300 mobility students to live, study and undertake a work placement in the four pilot locations of Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore.

The winners of 70 scholarships for up to 12 months study in the region will be announced shortly.

For more information on the New Colombo Plan, visit www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan