New Brand of excellence
MONASH law student and Bialik College graduate Katie Brand is one of 69 recipients of the New Colombo Plan Scholarship enabling students to live, study and work in Asia next year.
At an event held at Canberra’s Parliament House recently, Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Education Minister Christopher Pyne awarded Brand a grant to study in Hong Kong.
In its second year, the New Colombo Plan offers students from around Australia opportunities to study and intern in the Indo-Pacific region.
While in Hong Kong, Brand will learn Mandarin and pursue a career in Australian and Chinese relations.
The 19-year-old, who described the opportunity as “nothing short of amazing,” will also be a young ambassador for Australia.
“What is particularly unique about this opportunity is that I’ll be studying overseas and also undertaking internships and a formal mentorship whilst abroad, and having an ambassadorial role, as well as learning Mandarin intensively,” she said.
Brand told The AJN that she will use this scholarship to understand cultural and business practices in Asian countries and to build strong networks in the region.
“Studying and working in Hong Kong, while learning Mandarin, will enable me to build on my capabilities as a global citizen, and we have to look at Australia as part of this region and strengthen our position as a key player.”
While advancing her studies, Brand said she is also excited to explore the city, the cuisine and the shopping.
Nominated by Monash University for her academic excellence and leadership qualities, the government chose Brand after a series of interviews held in Canberra, which included a panel quizzing potential scholars on their regional knowledge.
She enthused that standing next to the Foreign Minister and other parliamentarians was “surreal”.
“Julie Bishop is an impressive role model … Standing up at the ceremony was surreal, knowing that the dinner was filled with politicians, ambassadors, high commissioners, vice-chancellors and journalists.”
ZOE KRON
Katie Brand and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
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