Two USC students will take their studies in Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander health and ocean current energy across the Pacific Ocean, after receiving scholarships to study globally.

Engineering student Naomi Shanahan will travel to Fiji to study while Health Science student Jazlin Younger will travel to Japan, as recipients of 2019 New Colombo Plan Scholarships, valued at $65,000 and funded by the Australian Government.

Naomi, 21, of the Sunshine Coast is looking forward to learning in her new environment at the University of South Pacific.

“While in Fiji, I will be doing my engineering honours research project on harnessing renewable energy from ocean currents,” she said.

“I am excited about this opportunity to live in the Pacific and learn more about the culture.”

The former Suncoast Christian College student also received a Thompson Excellence Scholarship for high-achieving high school students to study at USC.

Jazlin, 18, of Moorina in Moreton Bay, plans to attend Osaka University and continue her studies in health science.

“I have always envisioned that I would move to Japan to become immersed in the culture and language,” she said.

“I feel honoured to have been selected.”

Having studied Japanese at Northpine Christian College, Jazlin also looks forward to putting her love of the language into practice.

Both Jazlin and Naomi will receive in-country language training as part of the scholarship.

They were presented with their New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarships at Parliament House Theatre in Canberra on November 26.

The scholarships give young Australian students the experience of living and studying in the Indo-Pacific to expand their knowledge and deepen regional relationships.

- Gail Champion