Swinburne secures close to $1m for New Colombo Plan program

Two hundred and sixty four Swinburne students are set to embark on the learning journey of a lifetime with the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program. Made possible by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the NCP Mobility Program aims to increase Australia’s knowledge of, and connections to, the Indo-Pacific region. It offers undergraduate students the opportunity to take part in rich learning experiences – including study, internships and mentoring – in the Indo-Pacific region. 

With its emphasis on finding and solving complex real-world problems that create social and economic impact, the program perfectly aligns with Swinburne’s Horizon 2025 strategy and education strategy. 

‘Our education strategy focuses on creating future-ready learners and global citizens,’ says Swinburne’s Associate Director, Global Mobility, Stewart Collins. ‘The New Colombo Mobility Program funding provides our students with priceless learning and work experiences. When they step outside their comfort zone and into a new environment, students make discoveries about the Indo-Pacific region, but also about themselves.’ In Stewart’s experience, students who have undertaken the New Colombo Mobility Program or the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship become adaptive, more confident and ready for future international careers after the program. Take Daniel Eastwood-Whitaker for example. His NCP Scholarship took him to Beijing Foreign Studies University for six months and then on to an internship with QBE Insurance in Hong Kong. Since interning in 2014, Daniel’s continued to climb the ranks at QBE. He’s now a regional project manager for Asia. 

Swinburne has secured funding for 12 programs in Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. Students will travel to the Indo-Pacific region with their classroom peers and teacher and receive between $1000 to $5000 to support them while they’re abroad.