Two Australian Catholic University students have been awarded New Colombo Plan scholarship to study abroad in 2025.
Katelyn Bartlett (Bachelor of Applied Public Health/Bachelor of Global Studies) and Pascal Samfat (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Global Studies) are among the 219 Australian university undergraduate students to be offered NCP scholarships for 2025.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced the record high numbers this week, adding that the 2025 scholarships would strengthen Australia’s capability in Asian languages.
Ms Bartlett, who is studying at ACU’s Melbourne Campus, will put her scholarship grant towards a student exchange program with Sophia University, one of ACU’s international university partners in Japan, in Semester 1 of 2025.
She will study Economics of Health and Healthcare Policy, Economics of Poverty, Controversies in Globalisation, Global History, and International Relations Theory, all based in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at Sophia University, a fellow member of the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities.
“Both public health and global studies help in using a critical lens to consider cultural sensitivity and international collaboration,” Ms Bartlett said.
“In the future, I see myself at the heart of humanitarian efforts – coordinating responses and helping to build resilient systems that can uplift communities in times of crisis.”
Mr Samfat, also an ACU Melbourne student, will commence a study abroad program at the Royal University of Bhutan from Semester 2 next year, taking on a Bachelor of Science in Environment and Climate Studies.
While at ACU, Mr Samfat has developed a passion for addressing the effects of climate change, particularly food insecurity, environmental degradation and the increasing occurrences of natural disasters.
“I am ambitious to enrich my knowledge in policy analysis and development regarding Bhutan’s aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in reducing food insecurity, women’s empowerment, and climate change mitigation,” Mr Samfat said.
Chris Riley, ACU Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global and Education Pathways, said the scholarships gave students an opportunity to undertake a variety of academic experiences and studies while overseas.
FULL STORY
ACU students score prestigious New Colombo Plan scholarships (ACU)
