Synthesising the academic and the practical on study tours to Southeast Asia : The UTAS Global Opportunity Program
The University of Tasmania has a new, expansive University Global
An 18-day study tour, to universities in either Indonesia, Malaysia or Vietnam, allows the students to explore place, culture, technology and sustainability. The program – much of it hands-on – was funded by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan, and attracted a cohort of students traditionally underrepresented in study tours. Professor Kate Darian-Smith, of the UTAS College of Arts, Law and Education, visited a UniGO tour under way in Vietnam and Malaysia. “I saw transformational experiences for our students,” said Darian-Smith. “They were working with colleagues from the region on shared problems, gaining new cultural knowledge and insights.
“We will be developing these partner connections and building on UniGO to engage more deeply with our regional neighbours.” UniGO students are exposed to the ways government, leaders, businesses and civil society are solving difficult problems. They have the opportunity to synthesise learning from different disciplines; develop their critical thinking skills; and extend their disciplinary knowledge. They can also identify future opportunities to extend their connections and relationships in the Indo-Pacific.
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) supports scholarships of up to 19 months and flexible mobility grants to support Australian undergraduates to undertake study, language training and internships in the Indo-Pacific. Since 2014, the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan has awarded 1,234 scholarships and 78,071 mobility grants across 40 partner countries in the Indo-Pacific. The New Colombo Plan experience ensures graduates are enriched by the diverse cultures, languages, business and education opportunities of Australia’s regional partners. International education is for everyone. The New Colombo Plan students represent the talent and diversity of the Australian population with the program actively ensuring all Australians have the opportunity to undertake scholarships and mobility projects.
Opportunity Program (UniGO), immersing some 180 student participants in learning experiences that increase their understanding of ASEAN countries. The program is open to all the ASEAN countries.
Malaysia At Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) the UniGO/NCP program strongly featured environment and sustainability. The River Engineering and Urban Drainage centre featured hands-on activities including wetlands and mangrove replanting. Students participated in eco-workshops, tours and learning activities on Langkawi Island delivered by MareCet, a not-for- profit dedicated to the research and conservation of marine mammals. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute for Environment & Development LESTARI (UKM) gave lectures on sustainability in areas of urban governance, social and cultural practices. They facilitated field visits to paddy farming and wetlands. The visit culminated in a hackathon where UniGO/NCP students presented solutions to Malaysia’s sustainability challenges. DFAT Tasmania State Office has been supporting UTAS in its initiatives to enhance student engagement across the Indo- Pacific and advance the New Colombo Plan objectives in Tasmania. DFAT posts Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta contributed support in-country.
Students participate in a range of formal and non-formal learning activities enabling them to evaluate human impacts on natural and built environments, and how physical, economic, social and technological factors affect global sustainability efforts. Professor Nicholas Farrelly, Pro Vice-Chancellor at UTAS, is an Australia-ASEAN Council board member. “This opportunity for 180 Australian students to engage with counterparts and in 11 institutions across ASEAN is in a great tradition of vibrant people-to-people and academic links. It will be exciting to see how the students build on these experiences and maintain their connections with Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia,” said Farrelly. “ASEAN-Australia relations are naturally getting extra attention this year through the celebration of 50 years of dialogue partnership. All of our countries will benefit from future leaders who are equipped
to work cross-culturally and who understand the crucial long-term links between Australia and our
friends in Southeast Asia.” With the education sector
important to not just Tasmania’s but Australia’s trade, UniGO’s role in strengthening partnerships with 10 universities in ASEAN countries will have ongoing trade and export benefits. Vietnam The Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry hosted UniGO/NCP students with seminars exploring topics such as Vietnam’s food sector, Indigenous knowledge, farming systems, urban and rural planning, forest management and climate change. Hands-on learning activities such as bread- and soap-making, and a visit to an aquaculture business, enhanced students’ understanding of Vietnamese food systems – gaining knowledge with the potential to inform Australian food exporters.
Images these pages: UniGO/NCP students learning culture and sustainability on their study tour in Southeast Asia
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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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