Through the New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarship program, the La Trobe Business School has supported more than 35 students to experience immersive, structured learning and internships in the Indo-Pacific region.
Dr Helen Yang, Associate Dean Academic Partnerships, said the NCP experience provides students with a unique opportunity to live and study in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Through NCP scholarships, domestic students gain transformative global learning experiences that build intercultural capability, resilience, and problem-solving skills—preparing them to be confident, career-ready graduates in an increasingly interconnected world.
Hammad Shahin, Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Relations graduate, completed a 19-month NCP scholarship experience in Indonesia during his final year of study.
“To this day, I consider my NCP Scholarship experience in Indonesia the most pivotal chapter of my life. It set me on a path to become an emerging leader in the Australia–Indonesia space and helped me build Indonesian language proficiency and networks I never would have accessed otherwise.”
Primarily based in Yogyakarta, Bandung, and Bali, Hammad also volunteered with organisations such as the Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth and the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association.
This year, Hammad was excited to return to Indonesia after being appointed Australian-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program Coordinator by Value Learning.
“In this role I will work to strengthen Australia–Indonesia relations through language education and youth engagement.”
“Alongside pursuing clerkship and graduate legal opportunities, I also hope to deepen my expertise in the bilateral Australia Indonesia space while expanding my capacity on a broader, multilateral Australia Asia scale.”
