After its successful pilot phase in 2014, the New Colombo Plan is now being more widely implemented across the Indo-Pacific, with 38 host locations from 2015. Taiwan was invited to participate as one of the host countries in the New Colombo Plan, as a destination for those who receive a grant under the Mobility Program or the Scholarship program. Among the more than 3,100 undergraduate students from 37 universities who received a New Colombo Plan mobility grant in the 2015 round, 54 Australian students are heading to Taiwan for in country study and internships.

They are from 7 universities: Australian Catholic University, the Australian National University, James Cook University, La Trobe University, the University of Melbourne, the University of South Australia, and the University of Western Sydney. The host partner institutions in Taiwan include the Chang Gung University Department of Dentistry at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; Fu Jen Catholic University; Fu Jen Catholic University’s Taipei Performing Arts Centre; the National Academy of Civil Service, Taiwan Changhua County Government; National Central University; National Chengchi University’s College of Commerce; National Tsing Hua University; Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology; and Yuan Ze University.

Rose Vassel, an International Studies/Law student from the University of New South Wales was one of the 69 outstanding Australian undergraduate students who were awarded a New Colombo Plan Scholarship. She will use it to undertake the international Chinese Language Program, at National Taiwan University, an intensive year-long Mandarin program. She said “I’m hoping my time in Taiwan will increase my appreciation of the complexity of other cultures and languages, and provide me with the experience to thrive in challenging international settings”.

This is an exciting step forward for educational exchanges between our young people. The Education Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia and the Australian Office in Taipei will work together to assist the Australian students and scholars with in-country support.