The Federal Member for Aston, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, today congratulated local resident, Mr Richard Garrett, on receiving one of the first forty scholarships under the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan.
Under the New Colombo Plan, $100 million over five years is being provided to help Australia’s best and brightest undergraduates to live, study and gain work experience in the Indo-Pacific Region.
“It is great to see a bright and talented academic from Knox given the opportunity to enhance their education and further develop their understanding of the region,” Mr Tudge said.
“Mr Garrett will be hosted by The National Institute for Materials and Science in Japan and will undertake an internship program, research project and language studies during his placement.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon Julie Bishop MP and the Governor General (and New Colombo Plan Patron) His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC, awarded forty inaugural scholarships and announced the New Colombo Plan fellows on Wednesday 25 June.
“This talented and adventurous group of students are wonderful ambassadors for the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan and will be excellent student ambassadors for Australia,” Ms Bishop said.
Minister for Education the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the New Colombo Plan scholarships will help give fellows a global edge.
“These scholars will experience foreign countries’ diversity, culture, and language as well as an invaluable learning environment,” Mr Pyne said.
“They will go on to be leaders in our community, in business and government and will bring their experience as New Colombo Plan scholars into these important areas.”
In 2014, scholarship award winners will be heading to Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
From 2015, the New Colombo Plan will expand to include other countries across the Indo-Pacific region.
For more information visit www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan
