As international borders slowly re-open, five University of Queensland undergraduate students are preparing to undertake global experiences after being announced as 2022 New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholars.
UQ students Luwalhati Arraiza, Alexandra Butler, Daniel Dunn, Sophie James and Jennifer Min were announced as 2022 NCP scholars by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, the Hon Senator Marise Payne, in a virtual awards ceremony on 29 November 2021.
In addition to her NCP scholarship, UQ law and economics student Jennifer Min was also announced as an NCP Fellow, a prestigious title awarded to the top-ranked candidate for each host country.
Jennifer Min, who plans to undertake studies in law and international economics at National Chengchi University in Taiwan as well as language training and an internship, was driven to apply for the NCP to explore regional economic issues from Taiwan’s perspective.
“Taiwan plays a key role in the regional and global economy, which is often underexplored,” Ms Min explained.
During her year-long NCP program, Ms Min hopes to contribute her skills and analysis to help Taiwan and strengthen Taiwan’s connections to Australia and the broader economy in the region.
Born in Europe to Korean parents before moving to Australia, Ms Min believes that international travel provides a unique way to experience different cultural and social environments.
“You see things from a different perspective, you explore different solutions to common problems, and most importantly, you get to discover a different way of living and realise that there is no single right way to live.”
While researching for the NCP, Ms Min discovered how important the Indo-Pacific was, not just in terms of her own roots, but also economically.
“I signed up to the NCP hoping to start my journey towards becoming an expert in the Indo-Pacific."
“I felt I needed to better understand this region,” she said.
Ms Min was drawn to the NCP program for the comprehensive well-rounded range of experiences it provides.
“On top of the academic study, internships, language training and mentoring, the real highlight for me is the network of scholars and alumni,” she said.
“I want to be part of that network and give back to it in the long term.”
Her advice to aspiring NCP scholars is to think about how they can make their program bigger than themselves.
“The NCP is definitely looking for potential leaders and for me leadership is all about giving to others,” she explained.
Mr Michael Holder, Acting Director of Global Engagement, said that UQ is delighted these scholars and new fellow now have the opportunity to continue Australia’s efforts to forge links with partners in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are incredibly proud of our chosen recipients and excited to see them successfully navigate the challenges of travelling, living and studying in a post-pandemic Indo-Pacific,” Mr Holder said.
“Their experiences learning another language and studying in another culture will help shape them as future leaders with a global mindset and build opportunities for collaboration in the future.”
UQ’s New Colombo Plan Scholars and Fellow will travel to China, Taiwan and Singapore in 2022:
- Luwalhati Arraiza – Political Science, Fudan University, China
- Alexandra Butler – Eastern Asian Languages, Peking University, China
- Daniel Dunn – Eastern Asian Languages, Taiwan National Chengchi University, Taiwan
- Sophie James – International Law, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Jennifer Min (NCP Fellow) – Law and Economics, National Chengchi University, Taiwan.
These students join a total of 125 NCP scholars from 36 universities who will travel to 22 locations across the Indo-Pacific.
This NCP cohort includes 79 women, four Indigenous scholars, and 12 scholars living with disability.
To apply for a NCP Scholarship, you must first be nominated by UQ.
The Australian Government's New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program supports high-achieving Australian undergraduate students to study and work in the Indo-Pacific region.
Interested in an NCP scholarship?
Expressions of interest for 2023 will open mid-2022.
