New Colombo Plan scholarships will take four Griffith University students to Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam in 2019, their luggage packed with ambition, optimism and global awareness.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne MP, formally announced this year’s recipients at a presentation ceremony in Canberra tonight (Monday, November 26) where students Zac Look, Millie Vernick, James Fairley and Abigail Joseph were in attendance to accept their awards.

The New Colombo Plan scholarships are awarded annually by the Australian Government to support high-achieving undergraduate students undertake further studies and industry internships across the Indo-Pacific region.

MEET OUR SCHOLARS: Griffith’s2019 New Colombo Plan scholarship recipients

Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University, Professor Ian O’Connor AC, congratulated the successful Griffith students, and highlighted the many inspirational stories that have followed successful New Colombo Plan scholarships.

“Since the New Colombo Plan scholarship was initially piloted in 2014 Griffith University students have shown an appetite and understanding for the opportunities it offers,” Professor O’Connor said. “Bright careers have been both guided and redirected as a result of experiences across the Indo-Pacific region, and important landmark moments in young lives have happened far from home.

“Griffith’s pedigree in this space is again reconfirmed this year with the quality and character of our successful students. I wish them the very best in their endeavours.”

Professor Sarah Todd, Vice President, Global, Griffith University, highlighted the breadth of Indo-Pacific countries and cultures in which the successful Griffith students will immerse themselves through the prestigious scholarships.

“During their time in Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong, these young people will call upon new leadership skills, display personal and professional agility in diverse environments and adapt to change in order to succeed. A New Colombo Plan scholarship truly shapes lives,” she said.

The full list of Griffith University scholars for 2019 is as follows:

  • Millie Vernick, Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Government and International Relations
  • James Fairley, Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Government and International Relations
  • Abigail Joseph, Bachelor of Biomedical Science
  • Zac Look, Bachelor of Government and International Relations