Four Monash Students Asia-bound after receiving NCP scholarships
Four Monash University students will undertake studies in the Indo-Pacific next year after receiving New Colombo Plan (NCP) 2021 scholarships.
The four undergraduates – all women – are among 125 Australian NCP scholars and will study in Japan, China and Indonesia, with opportunities to undertake career-breaking internships with major international companies.
The NCP is an Australian Government initiative that aims to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific through study and internship programs at 40 host locations across the region.
This year the program has expanded to include global remote learning opportunities, drawing on innovative models to continue people-to-people, institutional and business linkages between Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.
Monash’s four successful 2021 NCP scholars are:
Shiwa Waladan
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
Shiwa will study Business and Commercial Law at the University of Tokyo, Japan.
Erica Sayon
Bachelor of Global Studies
Erica will study Translating and Interpreting at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Valerie Ong
Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts
Valerie will study Business and Commercial Law at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Valerie plans to undertake internships with King & Wood Mallesons and Herbert Smith Freehills.
Louisa Chiam
Bachelor of Business Specialist and Bachelor of Arts
Louisa will study Communication and Media Studies at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan.
Louisa plans to participate in a mentorship program with Deloitte Japan.
Valerie Ong said she was incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to study and gain real-world industry experience in China while representing Monash during the exchange program.
“Studying in China has been an aspiration of mine as I hope to gain a global perspective and engage with my ancestral roots by learning Mandarin and forming international friendships,” Valerie said.
“On my journey, I plan to intern at an international law firm in Beijing to better understand the intersection of law and business and what part this has to play in the future of the Australia-China relationship. As an aspiring commercial lawyer with an interest in international relations, this will be a great experience to learn from overseas practitioners.”
Louisa Chiam said the NCP scholarship was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse herself in Japanese culture and explore how tradition, modernity and diversity affect communication.
“I cannot wait to start this next, very exciting chapter of my life and to bring back the lessons that I will have learnt in my time in Japan,” Louisa said.
“I hope to be able to take these lessons with me as I start my career, to be able to encourage culturally sensitive business relations between Australia and countries in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as within our local multicultural society.”
The 2021 NCP scholars were selected from 38 universities across Australia and will study at 26 locations in the Indo-Pacific. More than 60,000 awards have been made to students as part of NCP scholarships and mobility grants since 2014.