The University of Notre Dame Australia has received Federal Government funding, through the New Colombo Plan (NCP), to support student mobility in the Indo-Pacific Region in 2016.
These funding opportunities enhance the university’s commitment to ensuring each student is fully engaged ‘in the world and for the world’ and has the potential to play an active role in the local, national and international community.
Announced by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP, on Friday, 28 August 2015, Notre Dame’s $209,000 grant will be used to support a number of student mobility projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
These projects include five short-term immersion programs, including the following:
- Medical Immersion Project in the Philippines – School of Medicine (Sydney), in partnership with Calvary Christian Fellowship
- Clinical Immersion in Laos – School of Nursing & Midwifery (Fremantle)
- Experience the World (Politics & International Relations) in Indonesia – School of Arts & Sciences (Fremantle and Sydney), in partnership with Parahyangan Catholic University
- Experience the World (East Timor Student Immersion) in the Republic of Timor-Leste – School of Arts & Sciences (Fremantle and Sydney), in partnership with Caritas Australia
- Service Learning Immersion in Cambodia – Schools of Arts & Sciences, Education and Physiotherapy (Fremantle), in partnership with the St Paul Institute.
The NCP funding also supports three semester-length Study Abroad opportunities with Notre Dame’s exchange partners in Asia, including Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan; Sophia University, Japan; and Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia.
“The university is delighted at this announcement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and we hope that many of our students will take up these exciting international learning opportunities in such a vibrant part of the world,” commented Professor Peta Sanderson, Pro Vice Chancellor International and Research.
“Students who study in Asia have access to a wide range of classes for foreign students in a very supportive and safe environment. Additionally, there are wonderful immersion programs available which connect students with the local culture in a number of ways.
“Studying abroad can be such an important part of a student’s career development. It can put them at an advantage in the job market and in any future study aspirations. Being able to demonstrate to a potential employer that you have experienced study and working life in a different country can be very valuable.”
The NCP is a signature initiative of the Federal Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduate students to study and undertake internships in the region.
The program hopes to deliver a transformational and deeper experience for students through close engagement with the cultures and languages of the Indo-Pacific region.
For more information about study opportunities supported by the NCP, as well as other international exchange programs, please visit www.nd.edu.au/study-abroad.