Record number of New Colombo Scholars to exchange knowledge in Indo-Pacific

Friday, 7 February 2025

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The University of Newcastle has secured more than $1.9 million to support 334 students to participate in 23 New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility projects across 14 countries in the Indo-Pacific region over the next two years.


A group of 10 students smile for a photo at a formal event

In addition, 11 outstanding University students have been named NCP Scholars for 2025, a record number since the program began in 2014.

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program and New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship Program are Australian Government initiatives that enable undergraduate students to study and work abroad in the Indo-Pacific region, creating life-ready graduates and strengthening institutional relationships in the region.

One of the students to receive a prestigious NCP scholarship, Sophie Gillogly, will travel to Hong Kong to undertake study and internships in the field of civil engineering and business.

“I am so excited to have been selected for the NCP Scholarship Program. I am passionate about advocating for women in engineering and aspire to become a leader in the field.

“The NCP Scholarship provides an invaluable opportunity to enhance my technical expertise and leadership abilities. Through this experience, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in the engineering industry,” Miss Gillogly said.

This round of NCP funding places the University first among Australian universities for the number of awarded projects; and number three for funding amount offered.

On top of this funding, the University has also secured $150K for students to participate in consortium projects along with other Australian universities and external organisations, including the Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS).

The University of Newcastle 2025 NCP Scholarship recipients are:

  • Tyler Coventry-Searle, Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Mathematics, has been awarded Climate Change Fellow, and will undertake study on wave energy technologies at the National University of Singapore, complete an internship and study Mandarin.
  • Madeleine Lock, Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Languages, will undertake study at San Isidro Care Centre in the Solomon Islands to improve accessibility and inclusivity for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Hallam Ingram, Bachelor of Science, will undertake study at the University of the South Pacific in the Marshall Islands, focusing on effective fisheries management strategies to bring back to Australian waters, as well as undertake Marshallese language training.
  • Adam King, Bachelor of Aerospace Systems Engineering / Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, will study at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore to undertake language training in Mandarin and explore the aerospace and defence sectors in Singapore.
  • Isabelle Pieterse, Bachelor of Visual Communication Design, will develop educational content for rural and disadvantaged children in Australia through her study at Nanyang technological University in Singapore, as well as through an internship in Japan.
  • Mackenzie McDermott, Bachelor of Design (Architecture), will focus on sustainable commercial architecture and design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design.
  • Emma Booth, Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and Diploma in Languages, will study at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China to undertake language training and an internship at an international school.
  • Jordan Gill, Bachelor of Design (Architecture), will undertake study at Taylor’s University in Malaysia, focusing on sustainable modular design in architecture to address housing challenges in Australia.
  • Rory Cook, Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) and Diploma in Languages, will undertake language and cultural studies at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies in Japan.
  • Sophie Gillogly, Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Business, will undertake studies at City University in Hong Kong and complete an internship at a leading engineering firm.
  • Claudia Holt, Bachelor of Social Science / Bachelor of Laws (Honours), will undertake language training in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and study at Universitas Airlangga in Surabaya, as well as an internship in human rights law.

Since the inception of the NCP in 2014, the University of Newcastle has received $17.6 million in NCP Mobility Grant funding towards offering almost 4,300 students the opportunity to embark on global experiences across a wide range of disciplines.

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