UTS students retake the global stage in the Indo-Pacific

Five of UTS’s best and brightest students will soon set off on an adventure of a lifetime to the Indo-Pacific, funded by the New Colombo Plan (NCP) (opens external site) scholarship.

An initiative of the Australian Government, the New Colombo Plan strives to deepen the relationship between the Indo-Pacific and Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.

The plan offers two avenues for students seeking a global experience: a prestigious scholarships program and a flexible mobility grants program. In 2022, UTS has received over $1.3 million in funding to support students travelling to the Indo-Pacific. Each year, around 10,000 students from across Australia embark on a transformational journey to study, work, and create lasting connections in 40 countries across the region.

I haven’t been to Taiwan before. I wanted to complete my program there as it has a diverse culture that encompasses Chinese, Japanese and Western influences. Living there, I aim to immerse myself in the nation’s traditions and learn about its relationship between diversity and harmonisation.

Vanisha Singh
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice

Among the 2022 cohort of students are five UTS recipients of the prestigious New Colombo Plan Scholarship; Sruthi Supriya (Singapore), Claire Grimble (Hong Kong), Ethan Pooley (China), Vanisha Singh (Taiwan), and Divya Saxena (Singapore). These high achievers secured funding after a competitive nationwide application process that spanned several months.

Agents of change

Sruthi – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice – is heading to Singapore this spring to pursue her passions in electrical engineering and social change. She’ll complete the study component of her program at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), conducting research on emerging renewable technologies, before undertaking an internship at a renewable power distribution company.

"There is a huge potential to learn about the future of Singapore’s power industry and how the challenges will be approached. I would like to work on a project with a social impact that involves working directly with the community to improve my design thinking skills while also understanding smart and nano-grids."

Language and cultural immersion

Ethan – Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences), Bachelor of International Studies – will be based at Renmin University in Beijing where he’ll focus on developing his linguistic skills in East Asian languages during an 11-month intensive language course. He believes that by improving his linguistic skills, he’ll have the tools to better connect with his community at the university, in Beijing and beyond.

"I chose China because I noticed that whilst Australia and China are so connected, there is a gap in understanding that each country has of one another. I am hoping to learn about China’s history, culture and aspirations. I think China has a rich and interesting history that shapes how it interacts with the world today."

Vanisha – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice – looks forward to discovering the lifestyle and culture in Taiwan, and how it differs from Australian culture. Based in Taipei, she’ll be studying at National Taiwan Normal University and conducting an internship as a software engineer.

"I haven’t been to Taiwan before. I wanted to complete my program there as it has a diverse culture that encompasses Chinese, Japanese and Western influences. Living there, I aim to immerse myself in the nation’s traditions and learn about its relationship between diversity and harmonisation."

Connections that count

During their placements, NCP participants develop lasting relationships with people and institutions that have the potential to expand their career horizons and lifelong learning opportunities. Claire – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice – has already had the chance to meet with the Hong Kong Consul-General and understands the benefits her placement will bring.

"The NCP scholarship program provides many opportunities that will accelerate my career and improve my leadership and intercultural communication skills."

To discover the many global opportunities at UTS funded by the New Colombo Plan, visit Think Global →