First Indigenous New Colombo Plan Fellow

Indigenous student Amarina Smith from Griffith University has been named the New Colombo Plan 2016 Hong Kong Fellow.

The New Colombo Plan is an Australian Government initiative that aims to increase knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to live, study and undertake work placements in the Indo-Pacific.

“It’s a huge honour and this was unexpected,” said Amarina, a Bachelor of Laws and Government and International Relations student.

Amarina performed extremely well to top a highly competitive field of applicants wanting to study in Hong Kong in 2016.

“It’s a really great feeling to have my hard work acknowledged in this way.”

The New Colombo Plan is open to undergraduate students aged 18-28 across all disciplines and involves a scholarships programme for study of up to one year. It consists of a flexible mobility grants programme for both short and longer-term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research. 

Amarina will study at the University of Hong Kong next year and plans to undertake an internship with a legal firm in Hong Kong.

“I’m looking forward to expanding my knowledge of culture and in particular exploring the rights of ethnic minorities and how they are affected both in Australia and the Pacific region,” she said.

“It will give me the knowledge and understanding of how other countries have approached these issues and bring that back to Australia to help change the living circumstances and rights of Indigenous people.”

Amarina, who studied Mandarin at high school in Rockhampton, said she applied for the scholarship as she had always had an interest in Asia.

“The opportunity to study there and immerse myself in the culture was something that attracted me,” she said.