Media releases

More than 160 Federation University Australia students will enrich their learning experiences this year with 12 international study placements and study tours across the Indo Pacific region.

From animal health and conservation in rural Nepal, to an immersive nursing placement in Tonga, the students will gain practical skills and knowledge in their fields of study as part of the Federal Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP) Short Term Mobility Grants.

The prestigious program aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.

Federation students will undertake their study tours and placements during second semester for between two and 16 weeks.

Programs include tropical biodiversity and conservation practice in Sri Lanka; mental health capacity building in Fiji; and semester-long exchange opportunities with O.P. Jindal University in India and Fukuoka Women's University in Japan.

With COVID-19 restricting international travel for the past two years, this is the first opportunity since the reopening of borders for Federation students to participate in these New Colombo Plan funded tours.

The 2022 Mobility Grants total more than $500,000 for Federation students, which go towards undergraduate studies in all schools and attract academic credit by way of field studies, practicums, internships and classroom activities in host countries.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley

“It’s wonderful to see our students preparing to embark on these opportunities of a lifetime to connect with our Indo-Pacific neighbours as international borders reopen.”

“The experience they get from undertaking internships in the region will be invaluable, as will the connections they make and the knowledge of local culture they gain.”