11 December 2013
The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs has launched the pilot phase of the New Colombo Plan. This phase includes scholarship and mobility grants. Find out more at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website. The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Education welcomed the launch of the pilot as a program that builds understanding between Australia and its regional neighbours through education. For more information see Minister Pyne's media release.
Pictured below: The Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, the Patron of the New Colombo Plan initiative and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP at the launch of the New Colombo Plan with Thomson Ch'ng, National President of the Council of International Students Australia, whose uncle studied in Australia under the original Colombo Plan.