November 28, 2017

High achieving students named 2018 New Colombo Plan Scholars

Students deepen skills and connections in Indo-Pacific region.

Four University of Wollongong (UOW) students will have the opportunity to study, work and live across destinations in the Indo-Pacific region, after being awarded the prestigious Federal Government’s 2018 New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, and the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, announced the UOW recipients; Kate Fuller, Jacqueline Jamieson, Ellen Maddick and Benjamin Zietsch, at Canberra’s Parliament House last night (Monday, 27 November, 2017).

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance) student, Kate Fuller, will travel to Malaysia to undertake a study program in accounting and finance at INTI International College Subang. While in Malaysia, Ms Fuller plans to undertake an internship with an accounting firm.

Jacqueline Jamieson who is undertaking a Bachelor of International Studies (Global Sustainable Development), will focus on political studies at Shanghai International Studies University in China. Ms Jamieson plans to undertake an internship with a human rights or development NGO in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ellen Maddick, who has been named a NCP Fellow, is undertaking a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Geography), and will study sustainable development, geography, population and urbanisation at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. Ms Maddick plans to undertake an internship in the field of geography, equitable and sustainable urban developments, and the environment.

While Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons) student, Benjamin Zietsch, will study engineering at Japan’s Sophia University. Mr Zietsch plans to undertake an internship in the field of robotics, HVAC or transportation engineering.

UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE, said being selected to represent the University in this Australian Government initiative is a huge honour for these students.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to expand their minds and experience studying and working in new cultures.

“I congratulate all the worthy recipients, gaining experience and professional development internationally will greatly enhance their future opportunities and world perspective,” Professor Wellings said.

The UOW students form part of 120 Scholars from 33 Australian universities who will be supported by the Australian Government in 2018. They will represent the country as part of a greater plan to expand learning opportunities for Australian students in the region and deepen relationships.

Eleven students from UOW have taken part in the New Colombo Plan to date since its inception in 2014.

About The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program

The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. It encourages a two-way flow of students between Australia and the rest of our region, complementing the thousands of students from the region coming to Australia to study each year. The New Colombo Plan is intended to be transformational, deepening Australia's relationships in the region, both at the individual level and through expanding university, business and other links.