Fiona Scott (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I would refer the minister to the Australian flagship policy, that of the Colombo Plan. I would like to applaud the minister for her advocacy for this wonderful program and what that has meant for so many young people right across Western Sydney. According to the strategic direction statement in the 2015-16 Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio budget statement:

The New Colombo Plan is deepening Australia's relationships in the Indo-Pacific by offering undergraduate students opportunities for scholarships and grants for study and internships/mentorships in the region.

A crucial component of the New Colombo Plan is the focus on internships and mentorships. Under the program, students will directly benefit from the opportunity to live, study and work abroad, deepening their understanding of our neighbours and forging friendships and professional connections that will last a lifetime.

We have entered into a new world of trade and economics, and this government is giving students the opportunity to develop those skills as part of the program so they too can break into the international market or pursue a career of their choice internationally. The opportunity was freed up by the Abbott government after securing free trade deals with China, South Korea and Japan. Also, students' knowledge of overseas markets from studying abroad will help us as a government to continue our relationship with the Indo-Pacific region.

To add, the minister visited Western Sydney—in fact, she visited my electorate of Lindsay—where we went to the University of Western Sydney. In February we were able to celebrate the success of more than 190 UWS students who had received grants and scholarships under the New Colombo Plan to travel internationally to more than 38 nations in the Indo-Pacific region. UWS students are travelling to countries such as Thailand, Japan and Singapore, where they take internships or conduct various projects that range from clinical placements in hospitals to working on sustainable development and community business projects run by NGOs.

The University of Western Sydney Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover, said expanding the university's international horizons is a strategic priority for UWS. He would also like to see increasing numbers of students studying internationally and developing a deeper engagement with our region. He went on to say:

The experiences and relationships we forge through education permeate, inform and shape our future endeavours.

Spending time overseas to study is a life-changing experience, and the positive impact of initiatives like the New Colombo Plan will be felt for years to come.

I was honoured, as part of my MBA program with AGSM, to in fact do one of my subjects in Hong Kong. It was international marketing. That experience has really helped me a lot in my own career and with my own experiences. Deputy Speaker Goodenough, you have lived and worked overseas, so I am sure you can also appreciate why these are amazing opportunities for young people.

The vice-chancellor went on to say:

In addition to the vital scholarly experience, students forge friendships and connections, develop leadership skills, and gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, which is invaluable for their future careers.

This is an opportunity that is guaranteed to enhance our students' personal and professional lives, long after they return home.

The Indigenous student that the minister and I met, Jasmin Hammond, is completing a Bachelor of Natural Science (Environment and Health) at UWS and spent a year abroad in Hong Kong as part of the Colombo Plan. She is also the first Indigenous Australian to be awarded one of these scholarships. She said her time at Hong Kong's University of Science and Technology was a formidable experience as she adapted to a home city of some seven million people. She studied chemistry and physics, which will be counted towards her degree here in Australia. Most importantly, while she was there she decided to also study medicine. The experience in Hong Kong was such that she decided to transform her life, so much so that she has been accepted to study a double degree: a bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery. Jasmin came from a country town, and I would like to ask the minister: can the minister provide advice on the opportunities that are available for Australian undergraduate students in 2015-16, particularly those students in Western Sydney?

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