New Colombo Plan kicks off in Vietnam

 

The first group of students sponsored by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan to undertake short-term study in Vietnam this year has arrived in Hanoi. Over 160 Australian students will study in Vietnam in 2015 under the new program.

The students from the Swinburne School of Design will spend three weeks travelling and studying in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and some neighbouring provinces from 5-23 January 2015. With support from the Hanoi University of Business and Technology and Ho Chi Minh University of Architecture, the students will have the opportunity to learn about Vietnamese culture and design through visiting some typical examples of local architecture and interior design, including the old quarter of Hanoi, the French quarter and new urban areas.

The New Colombo Plan is a $100 million initiative to increase the number of Australians studying part of their degree in the region to deepen their knowledge and understanding of Asia and build people-to-people ties. The Plan provides Australian students with the opportunity to study at local universities for up to one year, as well as options for students to undertake internships with local businesses as part of their studies.

“This is the first year of implementing the New Colombo Plan in Vietnam and so the high level of interest by Australian Universities and their students in coming to Vietnam, as well as by Vietnamese universities in hosting the students, is very encouraging,” said Australian Ambassador H.E. Mr Hugh Borrowman.

“Almost every day I meet Vietnamese Australian Alumni who tell me about the profound impact on their lives and careers as a result of their study experience in Australia. So I strongly believe this programme for Australian students will also create bonds of friendship between our people and open doors for further communication, partnerships and trade between Australia and Vietnam.”

The implementation of the New Colombo Plan in Vietnam is also expected to help internationalise the experience for local Vietnamese students at host universities. In 2015, there are around 15 Vietnamese universities and institutions collaborating with Australian universities on various New Colombo Plan projects. The types of study opportunities attracting Australian students are those offering unique learning experiences, such as Vietnamese language and culture; public health and tropical medicine; environmental studies and water management; and agriculture.

For further information about the New Colombo Plan, please go to: www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan/