PA/41/14 1 December, 2014
First wave of students come to India under New Colombo Plan
India is among the most popular destinations for Australian students taking part in the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan, with close to 350 students heading to institutions across India for short-term study next year.
They will be the first wave of students to come to India under the New Colombo Plan initiative, which is designed to encourage more Australians to live, study and work in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, said he was delighted that so many Australian students had decided to take the opportunity to travel to India for further study.
“There is a growing interest in India throughout Australia, and increasing numbers of young people are keen to explore the educational and career opportunities India offers,” Mr Suckling said.
“Under the New Colombo Plan, India is the third most popular destination for short course or semester long study projects in 2015. Thirty short-term mobility projects have been approved involving 338 students.
“I am confident more Australian students will follow their lead in the future as the benefits of having first-hand knowledge of India become apparent.”
The Australian Government has committed $100 million in new funding over five years to implement the New Colombo Plan across Asia.
The New Colombo Plan pilot year of 2014 is supporting 40 scholars and more than 1300 mobility students to live, study and undertake a work placement in the four pilot locations of Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore.
For additional information about the New Colombo Plan, visit http://www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan/