News Archive

Students from The University of Western Australia and Curtin University selected to participate in the New Colombo Plan were today recognised by Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan.

Minister Keenan congratulated the 11 UWA Communications and Media Studies students who recently returned from a three-week visit to Singapore and farewelled the 10 Curtin students who will travel to Indonesia in June to study an undertake work placements with leading engineering companies.

The UWA group took part in an intensive media production course with industry professionals at Temasek Polytechnic, using state-of-the-art high definition television studio facilities.

UWA student Crystal Cameron, of Landsdale, said the trip was the most enjoyable and rewarding experience of her life.

"There is no greater feeling than loving what you're learning, challenging yourself and seeing all your hard work pay off in the end," Crystal said.

"Being a recipient of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship definitely eased the financial pressure of travelling and living away from home. In doing so, it allowed us to focus on the course and enjoy Singapore without any additional stress, which made it all the more worthwhile to take part in the unit."

The UWA group also included students from Nedlands, Northbridge, Kensington, Leeming, Scarborough, Kallaroo and Mandurah.

The WA students are among more than 300 Australia-wide who have been selected as part of the first round of funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said Australian universities had welcomed students from a diverse range of nations throughout the Asian region for more than half a century.

"Now we have come full circle and it is Australia that is sending our tertiary students to those very same countries to strengthen those personal networks share our international perspectives and increase our understanding of each other," Professor Johnson said.

MEDIA REFERENCE

David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716