Australian Embassy
Mongolia

New Colombo Plan

Connect to Australia’s Future – Study in the Region

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.

The New Colombo Plan is intended to be transformational, deepening Australia’s relationships in the region, as well as ensuring a more regionally-aware Australian workforce for the future.

The New Colombo Plan involves a scholarship program for study of up to one year and internships or mentorships, and a flexible mobility grants program for both short and longer-term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research.

The New Colombo Plan in Mongolia

Since early 2014, Mongolia has been enthusiastic about the New Colombo Plan. In 2015, one scholar and two mobility grant recipients were awarded NCP scholarships to study in Mongolia. From July to December 2015 a student from the Australian National University conducted field research (hosted by the National University of Mongolia) for his Bachelor of Laws Honours thesis. He also undertook an internship with the Judicial General Council of Mongolia. In addition, two students from the University of New England undertook a semester of study in Mongolia under the 2015 mobility grants round. The host institution was the National University of Mongolia, with which the University of New England signed a new partnership in September 2014 to underpin NCP activities.

In 2017, Mongolia will have three projects under NCP. These projects will collectively send 35 Australian students to Mongolia. These projects are:

  • “The Big Idea in Mongolia” – a joint medical program developed by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England in partnership with Project Abroad
  • “Modern Mongolia: Challenges to the Environment, Economy and Empire” – a project developed by the Australian National University in partnership with Mongolian National University
  • “Mongolia Study Tour for Community and Cultural Development” – a project developed by Edith Cowan University in partnership with the National University of Mongolia.

A key initiative of the NCP is the Internship and Mentorship Network. This is an online portal to connect universities, students and private sector organisations in Australia and the region to create work experiences.

We encourage Mongolian organisations to become involved in the NCP by registering work experience opportunities with the Internship and Mentorship Network. We look forward to developing further linkages through the NCP over the long term.

How to Get Involved

More information on the New Colombo Plan is available online.