Bond University students will have the opportunity to access funding to study or complete internships in China and the Solomon Islands next year, after the university secured a grant as part of the Australia Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP) program.
In total, Bond University will receive more than $160,000 towards the program, aimed at strengthening knowledge and ties with key countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
The funding will be available to students looking to study or undertake internships in China and for clinical placements in the Solomon Islands.
Bond University Study Abroad and Exchange manager, Aiko Fujino, said the funding would provide support for up to 100 students.
“This program will provide new opportunities for students to study and intern abroad, helping them gain invaluable knowledge and experience that they will bring back to the university, the workforce and the community,” she said.
Ms Fujino said Bond students would be able to take part in an exchange at a number of highly respected partner universities in China – Tsinghua, Fudan, Soochow and Southwest University of Political Science and Law. It will also be available to those wanting to take part in annual law and business study tours to China.
The funding will also assist health and medical students undertaking a clinical placement in the Solomon Islands.
The NCP is intended to deepen Australia’s relations in the Indo-Pacific region and to ensure a more Asia-aware Australian workforce in the future. A pilot phase of the program has been highly successful, with around 1300 mobility program students and 40 scholarship holders studying aboard during 2014.
ENDS