• Students from Queanbeyan, Wollongong, and Albury awarded federal government New Colombo Plan scholarships to work and study in the Indo-Pacific region
• The scholarships are awarded on merit, academic performance and contribution to the community, to enable further study and work experience through internships with regional organisations and cultures
• CSU Global assists over 500 Charles Sturt students each year to undertake an international experience as part of their degree

Three Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) students have been awarded Australian Government New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarships for 2020 in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership in the community, adaptability, and resilience.

At Parliament House on Monday 25 November the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne announced the 2020 NCP Scholars at Charles Sturt were Mr Clayton Mueller (from Queanbeyan), Ms Bonnie Hammerschmidt (from Wollongong) and Mr Jeremy Duck (from Albury).

Mr Mueller and Ms Hammerschmidt were also recognised as NCP Fellows as the top-ranked candidates in their respective host locations, Nepal and Cambodia.

These Charles Sturt students will be financially supported by the Australian Government as they immerse themselves in Indo-Pacific cultures, learn new languages, further their studies and gain work experience through internships with organisations across the region in 2020.

Mr Mueller is studying a double degree Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) and Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism) at the University in Port Macquarie.

He is also undertaking a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation online through an integrated Wodonga TAFE and Charles Sturt program.

Mr Mueller said his passion in life is to contribute to protected area management in Australia’s alpine areas.

“Humans are having devastating effects on these environments through climate change and the introduction of invasive species,” he said.

“Australia’s alpine areas serve as a microcosm of the world’s mountain terrains, and these same concerns are faced by natural resource managers across the globe.”

Mr Mueller plans to undertake two semesters of study at Kathmandu University in Nepal.

“The Himalaya are the quintessential alpine area which faces these problems at a much more rapid rate than others due to its extreme altitude,” Mr Mueller said.

Ms Hammerschmidt is studying a Bachelor of Criminal Justice with Charles Sturt’s Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences.

She studies online while working fulltime in Darwin, and plans to undertake a semester of study at the University of Cambodia where she will study subjects that complement her Charles Sturt degree.

“I strongly believe that studying in the Indo-Pacific as an Australian criminal justice student will encourage two-way learning at an institutional level and allow for transition into the work force in the region in a culturally competent and informed manner,” she said.

Mr Duck studies a Bachelor of Business (Management), which includes a number of international business subjects, and is excited to further his knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region.

“Through working, studying and learning a new language, I am looking forward to developing strong personal and institutional relationships in the region and then maintaining these relationships upon my return to Australia,” he said.

Mr Duck will be undertaking his study with Charles Sturt’s exchange partner, Soongsil University, Seoul, in the Republic of Korea.

The locations and host partners that Mr Mueller, Ms Hammerschmidt and Mr Duck have chosen are closely linked to existing partnerships cultivated by Charles Sturt University’s learning abroad and exchange team in the Office of Global Engagement and Partnerships.