One hundred of Australia's best and brightest undergraduates have been awarded New Colombo Plan 2016 scholarships to live, study and intern in the Indo-Pacific.
New Colombo Plan Patron the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP, presented scholars with their awards at the New Colombo Plan 2016 Scholarship Presentation Dinner in Canberra.
Governor-General Cosgrove said he was delighted to join the special celebration to wish the 2016 scholars well as they embarked on one of the great adventures of their lives.
"I am proud to be Patron of the New Colombo Plan – and strongly believe in its potential to transform Australia's relationship with the Indo-Pacific by supporting our best and brightest to study, work and live in the region, and encouraging a new generation of Australians to do the same," Governor-General Cosgrove said.
"I am confident that in the years ahead we will be able to look back at the many ways the New Colombo Plan has enhanced our links across the region – not least through the contributions of our wonderful New Colombo Plan 2016 scholars."
Minister Bishop said 2016 scholars had demonstrated exceptional academic performance, community leadership and a proven commitment to forging bonds with the Indo-Pacific.
"Our 2016 scholars come from 26 Australian universities and will travel to 20 locations across the Indo-Pacific," Ms Bishop said. "Established host locations - including Singapore, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand–will be joined by Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
"Our 2016 scholars carry with them not only their own aspirations and ambitions, but also our collective commitment to engage with our neighbours – to create new bonds of friendship, understanding and opportunity that will transform their lives and the future of Australia."
The Scholarship Presentation Dinner was also an opportunity to recognise the support of partner governments, universities and businesses in Australia and across the region.
In 2016 New Colombo Plan scholars will be joined by more than 5,450 mobility students, who will study and intern in 28 locations in the Indo-Pacific, taking the total number of students funded by the program to more than 10,000 in its first three years.
