Ten Bond University students have been awarded the Australian Government’s flagship New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarships.
The students are Charlotte Squire, Evelyn van Wijk, Erika Carroll, Faith Cash, Harrison Mather, Holly Pallin, Lilika Yamada, Jema Hely, Timothy Palmer and Oscar Kennedy.
The NCP, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, funds outstanding undergraduates to study, undertake internships and develop language skills in the Indo-Pacific.
The program builds Australia’s regional capability and fosters the next generation of globally connected leaders.
In addition to the scholarship success, Bond has also been awarded $52,800 in NCP Mobility funding to support 16 senior medical students undertaking new clinical placements in Fiji.
Spotlight on scholars
Evelyn van Wijk, South Korea: Nineteen-year-old Evelyn will study at Yonsei University, combining Korean language training with her double degree in Law and International Relations.
“Having attended international schools and been consistently exposed to Korean culture and technology, I developed a strong desire to live and learn in South Korea,” she said.
She hopes to secure an internship with a policy advisory institute or think tank, where she can develop the skills needed to strengthen ties between Australia and South Korea.
Charlotte Squire, Japan: Charlotte will study at Osaka University before pursuing an internship in international relations.
“The NCP offers everything I could want from an exchange program: the ability to immerse myself in another culture, learn a new language and pursue work experience in an international setting,” she said.
“I aspire to work in peace and conflict, helping to mediate relationships between nations and building peace.”
After completing her semester in Japan, she intends to undertake an internship in the field of international relations.
Faith Cash, Indonesia: Faith will study at BINUS University in Jakarta as part of her Bachelor of Policy, Philosophy and Economics.
“Indonesia stood out to me after completing a course at Bond," she said.
"The country has rapidly growing potential; it’s a regional leader and boasts incredible and groundbreaking cultural and political diversity.
"Furthermore, I am deeply intrigued by the competing international powers in Indonesia and how these impact Indonesia–Australia relations.”
Faith hopes to intern with Indonesian NGOs focused on policy development, peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue, gaining insight into the country’s political and social dynamics.
“I want to bring home a deeper understanding of Indonesia and stories that help Australians see the nation from a more nuanced perspective,” she said.
Bond University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford, said: “Bond has always pushed its students to embrace the world around them, and continues to encourage our students to take advantage of the opportunity to study overseas.
"Through opportunities like the New Colombo Plan, our students are building language proficiency, cross-cultural understanding and professional experience that will benefit both them and Australia.”
Since its inception in 2014, the New Colombo Plan has supported thousands of Australian undergraduates to live, learn and work across Asia and the Pacific.