UQ engineering student Rig Gautam has been awarded a prestigious New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship, opening the door to a year of study and industry experience in Hong Kong – a place he describes as “a big hub for the world to come to.”
For Rig, the scholarship represents both a personal milestone and an extension of a lifelong global outlook. “The world is so big and I want to help people with my technical skills,” he said.
Born shortly after his parents migrated to Australia, Rig grew up within Brisbane’s Nepalese community, an experience that grounded his sense of multicultural connection. Now specialising in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, he brings that international perspective to his studies, research and leadership roles across UQ.
Rig is trilingual, speaking Nepalese, Hindi and Spanish, and he says language and culture have always shaped how he understands community.
“There are so many opportunities in Hong Kong – in language and cultural immersion.”
Alongside his coursework, Rig has built significant technical experience as a Deep Learning Research Intern, focusing on computer vision model analysis, and as a tutor supporting first year engineering students.
Through a summer research program at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), he is contributing to advanced cancer model research using PET and MRI scans. The project deepened his interest in biomedical innovation and AI driven health technologies.
These experiences, he says, are grounded in curiosity and purpose: “I want to meet people from all walks of life,” Rig explained – a value that aligns closely with the NCP program.
Leadership beyond the classroom
Rig is known across campus for his community leadership. As Vice-President (Sponsorship) for the UQ Engineering Undergraduate Society and Secretary of the UQ Nepalese Club, he has helped build inclusive, collaborative student communities.
His volunteer work reflects a strong commitment to service. With Eat Up Australia, Rig helped organise student volunteer groups to prepare meals for school children experiencing disadvantage.
“I organised a student assembly line to make sandwiches and lunches for school-aged children from low socioeconomic backgrounds,” he said. “It showed me the real impact small actions can have.”
He has also contributed to consulting groups and multicultural networks, strengthening his belief in collaboration across cultures and disciplines.
Preparing for a future in the Indo Pacific
Rig’s NCP Scholarship will allow him to study at the University of Hong Kong, renowned globally for its research strength in engineering, technology and innovation. The destination aligns with his growing interest in AI enabled health systems and biomedical applications.
He is particularly inspired by Hong Kong’s density of innovation:
“There are so many opportunities in Hong Kong … I’m scared and excited.”
Before the scholarship, Rig travelled to Vietnam with UQ’s Startup AdVentures program, where he worked with a young startup developing ESG tools for small and medium enterprises. The experience strengthened his appetite for working internationally.
“The startup culture is very innovative there. Going over with a cohort of UQ students became like a small family – eating and living together. We’re still in touch today.”
Now, as he prepares to represent Australia and UQ in the Indo Pacific, Rig feels both anticipation and gratitude.
He described receiving the NCP Scholarship simply: “I was ecstatic.”
With a strong technical foundation, a passion for community, and a global perspective shaped across cultures, Rig is poised to become a future leader in engineering and international collaboration – embodying the spirit of the New Colombo Plan and UQ’s commitment to global engagement.
In February 2026, UQ welcomed its largest-ever cohort of New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholars, bringing together students, staff, and supporters ahead of their study and training across the Indo-Pacific. A total of 32 UQ students will undertake programs in 5 destinations: the Cook Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore.
