University of Queensland student wins prestigious New Colombo Plan scholarship

A Brisbane arts and law student will study in the Subcontinent after winning a $69,000 scholarship funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – and other students are being encouraged to apply, too.

UNIVERSITY of Queensland law student Zac Frazer has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to study in India.

Mr Frazer, 23, will spend a semester at the Jindal Global University in Sonipat, north of New Delhi, after winning a prized New Colombo Plan scholarship, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The scholarship, awarded annually since 2014, is worth up to $69,000 and is aimed at deepening Australia’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Mr Frazer will complete four university law subjects in India, including international law.

“I’m ready for the challenge, excited for it,” he said.

“India’s such an important trading partner for Australia, it’s so important for Australia’s future but there’s a bit of a void there in terms of young lawyers being versed on India.

“It’s an untapped resource.”

Zac Frazer has won a scholarship to study in India. Picture: Annette Dew

Mr Frazer, who grew up in Yamba, northern NSW, before moving to Brisbane to pursue an arts/law degree, is still contemplating his career direction but he’s determined to make a difference whatever the future holds.

“Law is a great platform where you can see change,” he said. “I don’t want my life to be in vain. I want to make it worth something.”

He’s one of a growing number of indigenous students pursuing careers in the law and is grateful to have Queensland Court of Appeal judge Anthe Philippides as a mentor after meeting her at an Embracing Diversity in the Law seminar in 2016.

Queensland Court of Appeal judge Anthe Philippides, a Court of Appeal judge, mentor to University of Queensland arts/law student Zac Frazer. Picture Steve Pohlner/AAP

Justice Philippides organised the seminar as part of her passion to encourage diversity in the law.

“The thing I find really impressive about Zac is that he has looked for opportunities,” she said.

“He hasn’t waited for things to come to him and he’s made the most of everything that has come his way. That definitely is the mark of someone who’s a leader.”

Mr Frazer also spent six months in Amsterdam as part of a student exchange in 2017.

Undergraduates aged between 18 and 28 have until August 21 to apply for a scholarship under the New Colombo Plan.

To apply: dfat.gov.au