A social work student from Wagga Wagga is one of three Charles Sturt University students awarded a New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship for 2025.
Kate Tannin, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work through distance education at Charles Sturt University, will use the scholarship to study at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.
The NCP Scholarship offers a unique opportunity for regional Australian students to study at universities in the Indo-Pacific region for up to 19 months. Ms. Tannin, who resides in Ferntree Gully, Victoria, expressed her excitement about the scholarship, saying it would open doors to personal, academic, and professional growth she once only dreamed of.
“I’ve always wanted to study and intern abroad in a fully immersive environment, so this is a dream come true,” Ms. Tannin said. “I wouldn’t have reached this point without the support of the communities I’m a part of.”
The scholarship also provides an unparalleled chance to gain cross-cultural awareness and develop skills critical to the social work field. At the University of the South Pacific, Ms. Tannin will take courses not available in Australia, focusing on social development in the Pacific, human rights, politics, international relations, and urban development.
Ms. Tannin is among 219 Australian undergraduate students from 33 universities who were awarded NCP scholarships for 2025. The program helps deepen Australia’s ties with the Indo-Pacific region by supporting students in their studies and internships.
Since its launch in 2014, the NCP has helped more than 1,300 students study and complete work placements across four pilot locations – Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Samantha Ambridge, Manager of Charles Sturt Global Engagement, noted that the university has seen 11 students awarded NCP scholarships. “These scholarships are worth thousands of dollars, covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and more,” she said.
Ms. Tannin’s scholarship includes language training, an internship in disaster relief, and studies in human rights and development.
The New Colombo Plan, an initiative of the Australian Government, aims to enhance Australian knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting students to undertake study, internships, and language training in the region.
As part of the NCP program, Ms. Tannin and her fellow scholars began preparations in December 2024 with online pre-departure training. In February 2025, they will attend in-person briefings in Canberra, culminating in an award ceremony to celebrate their achievements.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s largest regional university, with campuses in Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Albury-Wodonga, Port Macquarie, and in Sydney and Melbourne.
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