Indonesia first port of study for students in reverse Colombo plan

THE first student-ambassadors could begin to arrive in Indonesia next year under a Coalition program.

New Colombo steering group

THE first student-ambassadors could begin to arrive in Indonesia next year under a Coalition program to harness study abroad to Australia's "soft diplomacy" in Asia.

Under the New Colombo Plan, outlined yesterday by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, up to 300 undergraduates could be sent abroad for a one-year trial of the program probably in Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

Based on the post-war Colombo Plan, which brought future leaders of Asia here for education, the Coalition scholarship program has a long-term aim to make study and internship in Asia a "rite of passage" for young Australians, rather than the exception it is now.

Mr Abbott said it would "foster closer ties between Australia and the region and develop stronger people-to-people links".

Shadow foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop said student numbers after the 2014 trial would depend on demand, and it would "take time to get countries, universities, businesses, and students on board".

The Coalition said it would commit $100 million in new money over five years but revisit funding as demand grew.

Last year Mr Abbott said the New Colombo Plan would be funded from "existing resources". Asked about this yesterday, Ms Bishop said: "It's new money - I'm very persuasive".

Questions have been asked about how much additional money Labor has injected into study abroad through its new AsiaBound program, given the overlap with existing schemes.

Even so, experts on language learning and overseas study have welcomed cross-party support.

"It's extremely encouraging that we've now got reasonably firm commitment from both sides of politics to increase and support Australian students studying in Asia," said Murdoch University's professor of Southeast Asian studies David Hill.

"Both have made it a priority of their engagement with the region."

Yesterday the Coalition also released the report of a group of business and university leaders who have been advising on the best way ahead for the New Colombo Plan.

The plan could transform Australia's foreign policy and the university sector, "change the mindset" of students and families, and offer "life-changing" experience abroad for the next generation, says the steering group led by Macquarie Group chairman Kevin McCann.

Traditionally, undergraduates who study abroad during their degree prefer North America or Europe to Asia, which they see as a holiday destination.

Although the New Colombo emphasis has been on semester-long study, the steering group urges the Coalition not to overlook the popularity and motivational appeal of short-term study for credit.

Ms Bishop said there would "be options of shorter, medium and longer periods of study".

The group report recommends an elite tier of special scholarships but says the program as a whole should be very broad and select students not only on academic merit but also take into account "commitment to service" and "suitability as an 'ambassador' for Australia".

The selection committee of distinguished Australians would include senior business leaders.

New Colombo scholars would attend a pre-departure program in Canberra and be handed their awards at a ceremony by the prime minister or governor-general.

Universities would be expected to help the plan succeed, including through the promotion of Asian languages, and business leaders would be asked to explain to students and parents why Asia literacy and skills will boost their careers.

The steering group also recommends that current study abroad programs aimed at the region, including Labor's AsiaBound, be rolled into the New Colombo Plan for more firepower and less confusion.

It says the OS HELP loan scheme, which allows students to fund overseas trips, should be included in a review to make sure that study abroad schemes are clear, flexible and have minimal red tape.

Jade Tyrrell, president of the National Union of Students, called for more information about the funding of the Coalition plan.

"It is not clear at this stage where current OS-HELP loans will stand under the (New) Colombo Plan, or where the money would come from," she said.