June 27, 2014

Two UOW students snare highly-prized New Colombo Plan scholarships

Two UOW students have been awarded prestigious New Colombo Plan scholarships.

A second year Early Childhood Teaching student at UOW and a third year Civil Engineering student have undergone a rigorous selection process to earn prestigious New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarships just announced by the Federal Government.

Larissa Jenkins will become the first student of teacher education at UOW to do a full semester in an Asian country as one of only approximately 40 recipients of the scholarship which provides up to $67,000. Sharing the UOW limelight is engineering student Thomas Wilkinson.

With a career plan of becoming an early childhood teacher within a preschool, Larissa (a Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s Scholar student) will undertake her study abroad at the Hong Kong Institute of Education during its Autumn 2015 semester. In addition to her studies in Hong Kong, Larissa will also be involved in a work placement.

Thomas, a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) Dean’s Scholar student will undertake his study at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He is looking into a potential research placement at Nanyang Technological University after he has completed his exchange semester. In addition, Thomas is hoping to secure a short-term industry internship with one of the many leading edge infrastructure development firms. Both students will be credited by UOW for their study abroad.

Larissa said the study and work skills she will gain in Hong Kong will be extremely essential in increasing her employment potential and her ability to work in a changing environment, particularly in what is being termed the ‘Asian Century’.

She said that as the first student of teacher education at UOW to do a full exchange semester in an Asian country she hopes to provide the foundation for future students to follow in her footsteps.

“I am passionate about Early Childhood education as I believe that quality teaching within the first five years provides the best possible foundation for a child’s future life and learning,” according to Larissa who also plans to undertake a master’s degree at UOW.

‘It’s a time of awe and wonder where we can support children’s imagination and development through a play-based curriculum.”

After his studies, Thomas is hoping to move into the field of structural engineering applying his knowledge to the design of large-scale infrastructures such as skyscrapers, stadiums and hotels.

“I am also very much interested in the importance of humanitarian engineering and would love to work in an environment or company that allows for my passion in this aspect of the industry to flourish, he said.

“Being given this opportunity to not only study, but also to undertake a work placement abroad will be an incredibly eye opening, life changing experience. Gaining this unique exposure to Singapore’s vastly different culture and landscape to that of Australia will enable me to truly appreciate a different way of living and the importance of adjusting to new environments and situations.

“This will most certainly act as a boost to my employability as a graduate engineer, displaying that I have the self-confidence to immerse myself into the unknown of a new culture, the skill to form international networks and adaptability to work under diverse business practices and customs. Living in a highly globalised era, there is an increasing demand for intercultural exchange of resources, skills and expertise.”

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government that aims to lift the knowledge of the Indo Pacific in Australia and strengthen our people-to-people and institutional relationships, through study and internship/mentorship undertaken by Australian undergraduate grant recipients in the region.

A special awards dinner, hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, was held in Canberra on Wednesday night (25 June) to acknowledge all the scholarship recipients.

UOW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Joe Chicharo, said it was a fantastic achievement for the University to have received two of the NCP scholarships offered nationally.

Media contacts: Emma Erkin from UOW’s International Engagement and Co-ordination Unit on +61 2 4298 1250.