QBE supports Indigenous youth development through NCP scholarship

QBE is proud to again combine its support for the New Colombo Plan (NCP) with its ongoing support for the Indigenous community and youth development, through sponsorship of QBE’s second Indigenous NCP scholar.

Foreign Minister The Hon. Marise Payne announced Odette Brown, who will be travelling and studying in Japan, was the recipient of the QBE sponsored Indigenous scholarship last week at the NCP Scholarship Awards event in Canberra.

QBE has been a business champion of the NCP since 2014, supporting the program by hosting interns, providing student development opportunities as well as participating in the program’s interview panels over the last four years and will be providing a range of professional development opportunities for Odette and other NCP scholars in 2019.

QBE Chief HR Officer Eleanor Debelle said QBE was thrilled to support the scholarship program again in 2019.

“As a global company with a strong presence in the Indo-Pacific, QBE supports the New Colombo Plan mission to help our nation build deeper connections in the Indo Pacific region, which is why we’ve been an active champion of the NCP since its inception in 2014.”

“We recognise the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn new skills within a professional environment and appreciate interns are a valuable source of talent and fresh thinking.”

“The program also provides a much-needed opportunity for participants to develop a deep understanding of the Indo-Pacific and develop the cross-cultural skills needed to succeed in a region that is crucial to Australia's prosperity.”

Ms Debelle congratulated Odette on securing the coveted scholarship and said QBE looked forward to supporting her professional development.

“On behalf of QBE, I’d like to congratulate Odette on securing a place in the program based on her efforts in community leadership, academic performance and her proven commitment to forging long term relationships with Asia.

“Furthermore, Odette is a proud Wiradjuri woman with a passion for using her education and professional talents to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, so we couldn’t be more pleased to sponsor the development of such an impressive young woman.”

The NCP will support 125 scholars from across Australia to live, study, learn a language and gain work experience in 24 locations throughout the Indo-Pacific in 2019.

More information on the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program is available here:

https://dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/new-colombo-plan/scholarship-program/Pages/scholarship-program.aspx

For further information please contact:

Emma Kerswell
External Communications Specialist
Phone: 0411 794 206
Email: emma.kerswell@qbe.com