International dreams come true for JCU students

Engineering student Lewis Batic and Business-Law student Dennae Smith are each recipients of a 2020 New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarship to study overseas.

Mr Batic will spend a semester at Kyushu University in Japan studying innovative engineering technologies to respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters, before travelling to Nepal to undertake an internship with the National Society for Earthquake Technology.

He says with the impacts of climate change being felt across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, he wants to develop skills that will place him at the forefront of adaptation to meet these conditions.

“It is critical that Australian engineers are leading the way in adaptation and innovation to meet these climatic conditions,” he said. “The skills I will gain in Japan and Nepal will not only impact my future as an engineer, but my ability to contribute meaningfully to solutions for remote Australia and Asia.”

Ms Smith will study business and law at the National University of Singapore, followed by an internship with Rajah & Tann Technologies, where she will learn about the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal industry.

“I want to understand how artificial intelligence is being developed and rolled out across industries so I can be at the forefront of this change,” she said.

“I am passionate about the growth of artificial intelligence and hope to contribute to Australian law firms’ adoption of legal tech, and also take any opportunity to work on international deals with the Indo-Pacific region.”

JCU Pro Vice Chancellor (International) Melissa Banks congratulated the students on receiving their scholarships, which were formally announced in Canberra today.

“Lewis and Dennae have an exciting time ahead of them developing new skills and building their international experience,” she said.

“The insight they will gain in Japan, Nepal and Singapore will help shape them as future leaders in Australia and the Indo-Pacific.”

The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program provides opportunities for Australian undergraduate students to undertake semester-based study and internships or mentorships in 40 participating Indo-Pacific locations. It is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.