JCU students heading to Fiji and Asia

JCU students heading to Fiji and Asia

James Cook University students are set to study in Fiji and five Asian nations after receiving more than $210,000 in study grants under the Federal Government’s New Colombo Plan.

The grants to JCU include $39,600 for 12 dental students’ clinical placements at Japan’s Kyoto University and $46,200 for 14 medical students at Fiji National University.

Two JCU students will also benefit from a short study program in Vietnam following a successful consortium application made by Griffith University under the Innovative Research Universities Scholars in Asia scheme.

The New Colombo plan is designed to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific by supporting Australian undergraduates’ study in the region. For the 2015 round, it took some $26 million in requests for grants against its $8 million funding pool.

Jo Asquith, Director, Future Students, said JCU’s success is due to the diligence of academic staff who prepared the applications in conjunction with the Mobility Manager, Anna Ekstrand.

“These programs recognise the University’s tropical agenda and support our important presence in Asia,” Ms Asquith said.

She said the placements would not be possible without the funding, and are of enormous benefit to participating students.

“It is a massive boost for their personal and professional development. It also shows that the student is motivated and can live, work and study across cultures, outside of their comfort zone, and that is what every employer wants from a graduate.”

Alistair Bone

JCU Media Liaison

P: (07) 478 14942

M: 0409 734 542