Curtin students selected for prestigious international scholarship program

An aspiring financial CEO and Australian research leader have been named in the 2021 round of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship (NCP) program.

Curtin University Bachelor of Commerce student Mr Nicholas Bong and Bachelor of Science student Ms Elizabeth Stinton were named alongside other successful Australian undergraduate students who were selected for the prestigious program.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Cordery congratulated Ms Stinton and Mr Bong for being recognised as prospective leaders.

“We are delighted that two students from Curtin have been selected to join the New Colombo Plan, which provides fantastic opportunities for undergraduate students to gain international experience and network with other industry professionals,” Professor Cordery said.

“Unfortunately due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the students will be unable to travel internationally until it is deemed safe to do so and the international component of the program may be delayed. We would like to wish Ms Stinton and Mr Bong all the best for the program and their studies abroad.”

Ms Stinton said she was thrilled to be recognised by the NCP program and welcomed the opportunity to travel to Singapore to learn more about artificial intelligence in the Indo-Pacific region.

“I have chosen to study at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore, followed by an international pre-doctoral research training program with the Taiwan International Graduate Program’s 2021 International Internship Program,” Ms Stinton said.

“Through this program I will work with international and local leading scientists in preparation for my future PhD studies, which will give me greater knowledge and experience about the Indo-Pacific artificial intelligence ecosystem and how this may benefit Australia.”

Mr Bong said he was honoured to be selected and looked forward to travelling to Shanghai and South Korea for the international component of the program once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

“As part of the NCP Scholarship program, I have chosen to complete full-time language training at Fudan University in Shanghai and an internship with PwC Shanghai before moving onto Seoul National University. I will then undertake a second internship with Samsung in the Business Strategy Division,” Mr Bong said.

“This program will help me grow as a professional and an individual as I live abroad, learn new cultures and forge meaningful relationships in the financial industries of both countries. I am honoured to be selected for this program alongside my fellow peers.”

The NCP Scholarship program is open to eligible Australian undergraduates currently studying at Australian universities.

Further information on the NCP Scholarship program can be found online here.