QBE will sponsor a University of Newcastle student under an Indigenous scholarship provided through the New Colombo Plan, which promotes greater understanding of the Indo-Pacific region.

Odette Brown has accepted an internship offer with QBE and also plans to undertake an internship with the United Nations Development Program. She will travel and study in Japan under the undergraduate scholarship.

QBE Chief Human Resources Officer Eleanor Debelle says the insurer has a strong Indo-Pacific presence and supports the New Colombo Plan’s mission to help build deeper connections in the region.

“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,” she said.

The New Colombo Plan, which the Federal Government started in 2014, will help 125 scholars live, study, learn a language and gain work experience in 24 locations throughout the region next year.