• Three Charles Sturt students have been awarded New Colombo Plan scholarships for 2022
• The scholarships allow students to immerse themselves in Indo-Pacific culture by completing studies in the region
• The New Colombo Plan is an initiative of the Australian Government and supports undergraduates

Students from Charles Sturt University have been awarded New Colombo Plan scholarships for 2022 and secured a chance to study and gain experience across the Indo-Pacific region.

Three Charles Sturt students – Mr Daniel Arnold, Mx Aspen Beilharz-Smythe and Mr Zeshan Malik – were awarded the New Colombo Plan scholarships, which are given to undergraduates who demonstrate academic excellence, community leadership and adaptability and resilience.

The program allows students to complete study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research for up to one year with organisations across the Indo-Pacific region, allowing students to learn new languages, further their studies and gain work experience.

This is not the first time Charles Sturt students have been bestowed this honour with three students from Wollongong, Queanbeyan and Albury-Wodonga also awarded the scholarships in 2019 for 2020.

Mr Arnold is studying a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) with Charles Sturt’s Faculty of Science and Health in Wagga Wagga.

He will take this opportunity to further his studies in Japan, studying for four months at the University of Tokyo before a one-month internship at the Institute of Medical Sciences in Tokyo.

“As an aspiring medical scientist, the opportunity to work, research and study in Japan among some of the world’s best is one I consider invaluable,” he said.

“The career opportunities and pathways opened by the New Colombo Plan are incredible and its experiences and gateways will allow me to form international connections in my field that expand my career goals and potential.”

Mx Beilharz-Smythe is studying a Bachelor of Communications (with specialisations) with Charles Sturt’s Faculty of Arts and Education in Bathurst.

“Receiving a 2022 New Colombo Plan scholarship is a huge honour and an amazing opportunity,” Mx Beilharz-Smythe said.

“My program includes a semester of study at a Taiwanese host university, language training in Mandarin and an internship in media production.

“This will expand my horizons for using storytelling for advocacy and empowerment in multilingual, intercultural and global contexts.”

Mr Malik is studying a Bachelor of Islamic Studies online with Charles Sturt’s Faculty of Arts and Education.

He has developed an interest in publishing scholarly books that are written in Arabic in the English language.

His 12-month study plan involves immersing himself in language and culture at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Islam at the University of Teknologi Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.

“My tentative 12-month study plan is geared towards expanding my awareness of the various stages of the publishing process,” he said.

“My central aspiration for this wonderful and blessed opportunity is to learn in-depth, from Malaysian institutions, the processes of publishing Islamic literature.”

The New Colombo Plan scholars were announced by His Excellency General the Hon David Hurley AC DSC (RETD), Governor-General of Australia and Ms Kathryn Campbell AO CSC, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Monday 29 November.