Thousands of undergrads to study abroad in 2016
Minister forForeign Affairs Julie Bishop and Minister for Education and TrainingChristopher Pyne today released details of the 461 mobility projects that willbe funded in 2016 under the New Colombo Plan.
The NewColombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government to liftknowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian undergraduate studentsto study and undertake internships in our region.
Speaking atthe University of Western Australia, Minister Bishop announced that 38universities and 11 university consortia would receive funding from theAustralian Government to send more than 5450 students to 28 locationsthroughout the Indo-Pacific in 2016.
"Australianuniversities have continued to provide strong support for the New Colombo Planmobility program and the opportunities it provides for Australian students toundertake short term and semester length study in our region," Minister Bishopsaid.
"Around 75per cent of funded projects already involve an internship, practicum or otherform of work-based placement or industry engagement."
"Theseinclude practical placements for pre-service teachers, nursing and otherhealth-service students, internships in a range of leading companies such asNAB, Mitsui and Hassell, and work experience with not-for-profit organisationssuch as Engineers Without Borders," Minister Bishop said.
Minister Pynesaid the expansion of the New Colombo Plan in 2016 would take the total numberof students funded by the program to more than 10,000 over its first threeyears.
"New ColomboPlan students will return home with new insights and understanding about theregion that will help them to contribute to the economic and cultural life ofAustralia," Minister Pyne said.
"Supportingstudents to engage globally is a core element of the Government's draftNational Strategy for International Education."