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Hong Kong continues to be one of the most popular destinations for New Colombo Plan scholars. Among the 69 Australian undergraduates who received the prestigious scholarship to study in the Indo-Pacific region next year, 10 have chosen Hong Kong as their study destination.
Congratulating the scholars, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney, Mr Arthur Au, said, "Hong Kong is an ideal destination for students to broaden their academic and life experience. It is a vibrant and cultural city, with three universities ranked in the world's top 50."
Ms Sarah Griffin, one of the scholarship recipients, is currently undertaking Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Government and International Relations studies at Griffith University, and will study at the University of Hong Kong.
"As a law student, I chose Hong Kong because it has a judiciary system similar to Australia's. Both are based on the common law system and there are also Australian judges invited to sit in Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal," said Ms Griffin.
"In addition, Hong Kong is a city that combines Eastern and Western culture which I find fascinating and different from Australia."
Another student, Mr Jonathon Glindemann, who is now studying commerce at Griffith University and will go to the University of Hong Kong, said, "I chose Hong Kong for the international experience it will provide. In future, Australia will need to work more closely with Asia and I think going to Hong Kong will give me broader, more international business exposure given its reputation as a world-class business hub."
He added, "This will be my first time in Hong Kong, so I look forward to exploring the city - in particular the green and mountainous region given three-quarters of Hong Kong is countryside."
Both Ms Griffin and Mr Glindemann will head to Hong Kong in September next year.
The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region in Australia by supporting undergraduates in the country to study and undertake internships in the region. A pilot scheme was launched earlier this year for students to study in four pilot locations - Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. For 2015, the Plan has been expanded to 32 locations across the Indo-Pacific region.
Ends/Friday, December 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:23
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