Four QUT students have been awarded prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarships by the Australian Government to study and intern overseas in 2023 to learn more about our Indo-Pacific neighbours.
They will head to Japan, Taiwan, New Caledonia, Singapore and South Korea.
The students are in Canberra this week for pre-departure training and the official scholarships ceremony on December 6, as guests of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
QUT’s four New Colombo Plan scholars for 2023 – and their destinations – are:
- Anne Kelley, Bachelor of Fine Arts – Kansai Gaidai University, Japan (semester one)
- Aidan Luchs, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – National Taiwan University (semester one) and The University of New Caledonia (semester two)
- Finlay McLanachan, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (semester two)
- Imogen Bishop, Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Business – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea (semester two)
The students will also do internships in their host country, in keeping with the scholarship program’s aim to ensure Australia's undergraduates have the international skills and work-based experiences to contribute to our domestic and regional economy.
Their New Colombo Plan Scholarships include funds for university fees, language training, travel expenses and living expenses.
QUT’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Sheil (pictured above with three of the students), congratulated the university’s four scholars for 2023.
“Australia welcomes thousands of students from the Indo-Pacific region each year, so it’s wonderful for our students to also visit other countries in our region and embrace that two-way relationship,” she said.
“We know they will grasp the opportunity to learn about their host country – not just through their university studies but also through immersing themselves in internships at local workplaces.”
Anne Kelley, Bachelor of Fine Arts – Japan
“My main goals for the program will be a mix of personal development of my arts practice with a focus on mid-century printing techniques, with consideration for international business contacts to be made in doing so. This will include putting on a two-week arts exhibition in Osaka, and looking to participate in internships at Japanese print and arts manufacturing and distribution companies, specialising in high quality goods and services.
After the Tokyo Olympics, Brisbane made a large effort to sustain cultural cross over between the two cities, and I hope to participate in this cultural development as the Brisbane Olympics approaches.”
Aidan Luchs, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Hons) – Taiwan and New Caledonia
“My New Colombo Plan Scholarship program focuses on exploring my interests in diplomatic conflict resolution and meaningful youth participation in democratic institutions.
At National Taiwan University and The University of New Caledonia, my studies will focus on political science, public policy, and democracy in East Asia and the Pacific. This will allow me to investigate regional approaches to diplomatic conflict resolution and amplification of youth voices in decision-making, particularly the role of young people as catalysts for change in Taiwan and New Caledonia.
I am also focused on securing an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China to investigate strategies for regional conflict resolution, as well as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, to explore governmental approaches to amplifying youth voices in local, regional, and international policy discourse.”
Finlay McLanachan, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) – Singapore
“The objective of my New Colombo Plan program is to develop my understanding of the key barriers facing Australia’s strong potential as a renewable fuels exporter, for the purpose of facilitating a decarbonised global energy sector.
To this effect, I intend to complete an internship component investigating the technical development of renewable energy storage systems with organisations such as Sembcorp, the Singapore Energy Centre, or Air Liquide.”
Imogen Bishop, Bachelor of Biomedical Science/Bachelor of Business – South Korea
“It’s always been my goal to work internationally, and throughout my New Colombo Plan scholarship program I intend to cultivate the practical experience and intercultural communication skills needed to build a career across the Indo-Pacific region.
Through internships, I aim to network with biomedical researchers, explore different lab methodologies, and put into practice the theories and frameworks I’ve learnt from majoring in international business.
In alignment with my strong interest in emerging technologies and their application to healthcare, I hope to study at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology), where they utilise technologies like augmented reality to facilitate a greater understanding of biomedical concepts.”
** QUT students interested in applying for the 2024 round of scholarships can check the DFAT site next year for application information and dates. Applications usually open around June each year. There is also an internal QUT application process – email the QUT International Relations team for details: ISM.Finance@qut.edu.au.
Pictured at top: QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil with New Colombo Plan scholarship recipients Imogen Bishop, Anne Kelley and Finlay McLanachan, and (inset on right) Aidan Luchs.
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