Six Griffith University students are headed on an overseas adventure after being awarded scholarships to work and study internationally under Australia’s New Colombo Plan.
The program aims to lift knowledge of the Indo Pacific in Australia with students supported to study for up to a year in several regions and undertake an internship, mentorship, practicum or research.
The Plan encourages a reciprocal relationship with the rest of our region, deepening Australia’s individual, academic and business relationships.
ANGUS BRAWLEY
In the labyrinth of academic pursuits, Angus Brawley, a Griffith University student, has created his own path through determination and vision.
With a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours; Electrical and Electronic Engineering) from the Gold Coast campus now under his belt, Angus’s journey through his studies has been propelled by his drive to engineer solutions for a sustainable and resilient future.
Angus credits the Griffith Honours College for being instrumental in shaping his trajectory towards the transformations he wants to see and encourage in the energy sector.
In 2022, Angus was one of four young Australians selected to attend the UNFCCC COP27 negotiations; he served as a delegate at the Inaugural Humanitarian Affairs Asia Green Summit; and was one of 40 delegates worldwide to attend the Climate Entrepreneurship Program at New York University as part of the 28th Annual Youth Assembly.
It’s these experiences that reshaped his perspectives on global challenges and the potential of young minds to effect change.His upcoming journey as part of the New Colombo Plan will take him to South Korea and Fiji, where he will delve into the intricacies of the energy transition and climate adaptation.
Through internships and coursework, Angus seeks to gain invaluable insights that he can apply both locally and globally.
“Through my New Colombo Plan, I will spend 11 months in South Korea where I will complete my Introductory Academic Program, language training, a coursework study component, and an internship at Orsted,” he said.
“Following this, I will head to Fiji where I will spend about four months interning at the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Management (Sub-Regional Office For the Pacific).
ARTHUR DOYLE
Having cultivated a fondness for the Pacific through his degree at Griffith University, New Colombo Plan scholar Arthur Doyle, eagerly awaits a hands-on learning experience in the region.
While participating in a short-term study program in Indonesia in early 2023, Arthur first realised the immense value of studying internationally.
Arthur will complete the final year of his Bachelor of Government & International Relations (Honours) in Solomon Islands & Fiji where he will research aid localisation, which he hopes can lead to stronger community outcomes.
With experience as a local Gold Coast State and Emergency Service volunteer, Arthur recognises the importance of community, and hopes his research will improve community resilience.
ISABELLA ENNEVER
Griffith University Honours student Isabella Ennever is about to head to Fiji National University on scholarship, and will also work with renowned environmental scientists at University South Pacific and Griffith’s International Water Centre to learn more about the contemporary challenges facing water management, sanitation, and hygiene health.
Hailing from Casino, water sanitation is a topic of particular interest to Isabella as she grew up in a rural community which taught her the importance of community resilience, especially when it comes to essentials such as water.
Isabella will also seek to learn how to use cross-cultural collaboration to establish sustainable solutions in Australia and overseas.
Isabella has been studying at Griffith University for the past two years with the Griffith Honours College, Golden Key International Honours Society and Griffith Enactus.
SIAN McCOWAN
A passionate advocate for First Nations rights and equality, Sian McCowan is heading to the Cook Islands to learn about their justice system.
The unique opportunity will allow her to explore the nation with the world’s lowest First Nations incarceration rate due to innovative community programs and law enforcement initiatives.
Raised by a First Nations mother employed in law enforcement, Ms McCowan grew up with a keen awareness of the over-representation and mistreatment of First Nations and culturally diverse individuals within the justice system.
Spurred on by this to pursue criminology in addition to psychology, she hopes to use her degrees and experience to apply more effective structures and ideas in Australian law enforcement and create positive change.
Upon completing her overseas study, Ms McCowan plans to continue her education, pursuing honours and eventually a master’s degree in psychology while working with families and kids in the local justice system.
SHAYNA SPENCER
With an unwavering commitment to engineering, a passion for sustainability, and an indomitable spirit, Griffith University student Shayna Spencer embodies the determination, curiosity and dedication needed to drive global change.
It’s what drove Shayna to apply for and succeed in being awarded a New Colombo Plan scholarship, which she hopes will strengthen her knowledge and insights into developing solutions in addressing climate change and enhancing the role of women in engineering.
“As part of my New Colombo Plan, I will spend 12 months studying and interning in Singapore, followed by another six months internship and completing language training in Thailand,” she said.
“My strong passion lies in contributing to the resolution of one of humanity’s greatest challenges in the 21st century—climate change. I firmly believe that STEM disciplines will play a pivotal role in developing solutions to this issue.
“However, I believe that addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEM is crucial for ensuring diversity of thought and better representation of the diverse populations affected by climate change in groups dedicated to its resolution. This is the central focus of my project.”
During her time in Singapore and Thailand, Shayna intends to learn the approaches employed by her host locations to enhance women’s representation in STEM.
She also aspires to establish a robust network of female STEM leaders across the Indo-Pacific, dedicated to increasing women’s representation in STEM fields and shaping a more inclusive future.
MYA STONE
Mya Stone is one of six Griffith Honours College students awarded New Colombo Plan scholarships for 2023.
Her scholarship will take her to South Korea in 2025, where she plans to further her studies and gain valuable insights into healthcare systems for people with disabilities.
Originally from Coonabarabran in regional New South Wales, Mya’s educational journey led her to Griffith University on the Gold Coast where she studied business and later added psychology as a double degree.
Mya’s passion lies in supporting children with disabilities, a commitment rooted in her experiences growing up in a remote area with limited access to medical and support services.
She chose South Korea for her study abroad experience after careful consideration of various factors, including the opportunity to explore a well-developed yet less researched country.
“I have a particular interest in understanding disability services in South Korea and have recognised a great difference gap in services and want to understand how countries without fundings such as the NDIS support their people,” Mya said.
As part of her journey, Mya plans to intern with the Korean Association of Health Care for People with Disabilities in Seoul.
This experience, coupled with her visits to UNICEF in Vietnam and the Korean Institute of Disabilities, aims to provide her with valuable insights into policy development and healthcare practices.
Mya identifies as culturally indigenous and is proud of her heritage and sees it as an integral part of her identity.