• Australian Government to fund almost $308,000 to support 100 Charles Sturt students for international study programs across the Indo-Pacific in 2020
• New Colombo Plan funding subsidises the cost of a short-term programs
• Program supports students in education, social sciences, nursing, paramedicine, veterinary sciences, and community health to participate in programs including in Nepal, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Japan, and several Pacific island countries

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) will receive $307,920 from the Australian Government to support international study programs across the Indo-Pacific in 2020.

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program funding will assist 100 Charles Sturt undergraduate students to participate in 10 short-term programs across the region.

Students in the fields of education, social sciences, nursing, paramedicine, veterinary sciences, and community health will have the opportunity to participate in subsidised programs in 2020.

Destinations include Nepal, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Japan, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Samoa.

Charles Sturt NCP funded short-term programs increase the number of work-ready Australian graduates with experience in the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Timothy Daley participated in a previous School of Community Health program to Vietnam and said, “These programs provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to bring skills and resources to countries and people in need - is there anything more rewarding than that?”.

Acting Director of Charles Sturt Global Engagement and Partnerships Ms Rachel Stephens said, “New Colombo Plan funding subsidises the cost of a short-term program by as much as $3,300, making an international experience much more achievable for many Charles Sturt students.

“One of the reasons Charles Sturt consistently ranks highly for graduate employment is because of how practical our courses are.

“An international short-term program contributes to a Charles Sturt degree and provides opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills in situations that are simply not obtainable in Australia,” Ms Stephens said.

Lecturer in nursing Ms Amanda Moses, who submitted successful applications for 2020 NCP funding for projects to Samoa, Cambodia and Philippines, said experiencing health care in a developing country provides students with insight that enhances the level of nursing care they can provide.

“The cultural understanding and appreciation for providing health care with limited resources and facilities can be life changing,” Ms Moses said.

In addition to this latest funding package, NCP funding valued at $26,400 carried over from 2019 will support eight paramedicine students studying in Timor-Leste in 2020.

The funds secured under the NCP will be administered through CSU Global, the University's central point for international study opportunities for students.