Australians urged to study in Asia under New Colombo Plan

Australia is encouraging its university students to cultivate ties with Asia under a plan that supports their studies or work placements in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan.

Brett Mason, the country's parliamentary secretary to the minister for foreign affairs, said the New Colombo Plan underpinned a foreign-policy shift that recognised the importance of nurturing ties with Asia.

"We … believe our future lies in this region. That is a cultural shift in our policy," said Mason, who was in the city last week for the launch of the plan's pilot phase, under which 15 University of Wollongong students are studying at Hong Kong's Institute of Education.

Ten Macquarie University students are also lined up for Chinese University and a group of Charles Darwin University undergraduates will take on teaching practicums at the city's international schools.

A total of 1,300 Australian students are expected to study or work in the four cities this year.

In Australia, 38 universities and two university groups have been offered total funding of A$4.72 million (HK$33.8 million) to be used as grants for students.