Hills Students Awarded New Colombo Plan scholarships

Federal Member for Mitchell, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, announced three students from the Hills district had each won a prestigious Australian Government scholarship to study in the Indo-Pacific.

“Clarence Ma of Castle Hill, Jenny Yeung of Baulkham Hills and Justin Whittle of Castle Hill have been awarded an Australian Government New Colombo Plan scholarship to live, study and undertake a work placement overseas. (Photo: Justin Whittle and Jenny Yeung with Alex Hawke MP)

Clarence Ma, a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Studies student from the University of NSW will study international studies at the University of Tokyo in Japan.

Jenny Yeung, a Bachelor of Social Research and Policy/ Bachelor of Law student from The University of New South Wales will study political science and policy studies at the National University of Singapore.

Justin Whittle, a Bachelor of Natural Science student at the Western Sydney University will study Agricultural Science/Entomophagy at the Kasetsart University in Thailand.

“New Colombo Plan scholarships are highly prestigious, with only 100 awarded across Australia, and recognise students’ exceptional academic performance, community engagement and commitment to deepening relationships with our neighbours in the Indo-Pacific.

“New Colombo Plan scholars act as ambassadors for their communities, universities and indeed Australia while overseas, and we can all be proud of Clarence Ma, Jenny Yee and Justin Whittle achievements,” Alex Hawke said.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, said New Colombo Plan 2016 scholarships would support 100 scholars from 26 Australian universities to live, study and undertake work placements in 20 locations in the Indo-Pacific.

“Our 2016 scholars carry with them not only their own aspirations and ambitions, but also our collective commitment to engage with our neighbours – to create new bonds of friendship, understanding and opportunity that will transform their lives and the future of Australia,” Ms Bishop said.

Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, said the strong support of Australian universities had been pivotal to the success of the New Colombo Plan.

“They have promoted the program and advocated strongly for the transformative power of studying in the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Colbeck said.

“The breadth of study of New Colombo Plan scholars in 2016 – across fields as diverse as society and culture, engineering, management and commerce, science, creative arts, agriculture, health, IT and education – demonstrates Australian universities’ commitment to a program that is creating closer ties with scholars in the Indo-Pacific.”

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian undergraduate students to study and undertake internships in the region.

The government has committed $100 million in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan.

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