One thousand students head to the region under New Colombo Plan pilot

A further 1000 students will have the opportunity to study in the region following the announcement of the second tranche of mobility funding for Australian universities under the Government's New Colombo Plan.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said around 300 students are already studying and undertaking work placements in the pilot destinations of Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong under the first tranche of mobility program funding provided earlier this year

"A strong response has been received from Australian universities and their students to the New Colombo Plan. The innovation in course design is a credit to the institutions involved and sets the scene for the wider roll-out across the region from 2015," said Ms Bishop.

"Thirty-eight universities, across all states and territories, and two university consortia, have been offered funding under this second tranche, covering 48 projects across the four pilot locations. This second tranche brings to $4.72 million, the funding offered to universities during the New Colombo Plan's pilot phase.

"Today I met students from Sydney, Macquarie, Wollongong and Newcastle universities heading to Hong Kong and Singapore under the first round of mobility grants. These students are undertaking programs in areas such as primary education, language study, housing policy and business."

Education Minister Christopher Pyne said the program offerings cover a wide range of disciplines including architecture, law, business, language training, construction, occupational therapy, veterinary science, manufacturing, teaching and international studies. Many opportunities include work and clinical placements and semester-based study.

"The diversity of courses and professional placements are providing exciting opportunities for our undergraduates to get into the region, to develop their capabilities and to build relationships which will stand them in good stead for the future," said Mr Pyne.

"Ten NSW universities have received funding in this second round: Charles Sturt University, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney, University of Wollongong, University of Newcastle, University of Western Sydney, Macquarie University, Southern Cross University, University of NSW and University of Sydney."