The New Colombo Plan, an initiative of the Australian Government, aims to strengthen ties with Australia’s regional neighbours, while supporting students in their personal and professional development. These opportunities will allow them to gain valuable skills, immerse themselves in new cultures and build global networks.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Rorden Wilkinson, said the scholarships highlight the University's exceptionally talented students and its commitment to fostering global engagement and understanding.
“These scholarships provide an exciting opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in other cultures and gain skills and experiences that will shape their futures,” he said.
“Our students’ involvement strengthens Australia’s ties with the Asia Pacific region and reflects the value of international collaboration in education. We are proud of our students and are excited to see the positive impact they will make.”
Scholarship recipients, clockwise from top left, Amy Aquilina, Manav Khatri, Krystal Lau, Megha Mahesh, Emma Teffer, Sachi Russell, William Pitts and Zara Oong.
Amy Aquilina, who is studying a Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Cognitive and Brain Sciences, will travel to Singapore to study Mandarin at Nanyang Technological University. She will also be teaching English to students as part of a cultural exchange and professional development experience in Japan.
Manav Khatri, a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics student, will head to Japan to study at Waseda University. He also plans to undertake a mentorship with Justin Hayhurst, the Australian Ambassador to Japan.
Krystal Lau, studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Business Information Systems), will attend the University of Hong Kong and participate in a Ministry of National Development internship and mentorship in Singapore.
Megha Mahesh, a Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber Security) and Bachelor of Security Studies student, will study Hindi at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and participate in internships with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, BetterSG and The Tech for Good Institute.
Zara Oong, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and Bachelor of Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence), will study Mandarin and Cantonese at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology while completing internships at the Hong Kong Univisual Intelligent Technology and Macquarie Group Hong Kong.
William Pitts, studying a Bachelor of Security Studies and Bachelor of Laws, will travel to India to study Hindi at OP Jindal Global University and participate in internships at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People in New Delhi, India.
Sachi Russell, a Bachelor of Marketing and Media student, will attend Waseda University in Japan to study Japanese and pursue an internship with a Tokyo-based advertising agency, TBWA\HAKUHODO Inc.
Emma Teffer, who is studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, will travel to Fiji to study Fiji Hindi at the University of the South Pacific and complete an internship with United Nations (UN) Women.
