New Colombo Plan supports Deakin students to study and work in Indo-Pacific

The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program provides for Australian undergraduate students to undertake semester-based study and internships or mentorships in 40 participating Indo-Pacific locations.

Deakin students Chelsea Clarke, Beth Kynaston, Kyle Meyer, Chelsie Priestley and Shannan Welsh will be awarded scholarships for 2019, Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Marise Payne announced at an event in Canberra last night.

The undergraduate Deakin students will study at universities in Cambodia, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia, also undertaking internships in China, Indonesia and Japan.

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO congratulated the group on their achievement and thanked the Australian Government for its support.

"Deakin is committed to preparing capable, confident and skilled graduates with a global mindset, and the New Colombo Plan Scholarships are one way in which our students are provided with the experience to place themselves and their careers within a global context," Professor den Hollander said.

"The opportunity to study, live and work outside of Australia will allow this dedicated group of students to make a meaningful contribution, as well as develop their academic, institutional and personal networks while becoming more independent, adaptable and resilient.

"We are very proud of our New Colombo Plan Scholarship recipients and confident that each of these young leaders will go out into the world and represent Deakin and Australia to the best of their ability during their year of growth and discovery."

Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science student Beth Kynaston will undertake environmental, agricultural and forestry-focused units at UNIMAS Sarawak, Malaysia, and will then put those skills to work interning at an orangutan conservation centre in Indonesia.

Ms Kynaston said the New Colombo Plan allowed her to pursue her passion for environmental conservation and sustainability.

"Malaysia and Indonesia offer extensive and diverse opportunities to experience first-hand the impact that global environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation and loss of biodiversity have on ecosystems," she said.

"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to build both personal and professional relationships in the region, and develop diverse skills that I'll be able to utilise in my future career."

By the end of 2020, the New Colombo Plan alumni community will include around 40,000 young Australians, including more than 550 scholars supported through the Plan's prestigious scholarship program.