New Colombo Plan Mobility Project

Universiti Malaysia Perlis

UniMAP is a leading technical university in the region, enhanced by its active engagement with leading industries in the region and globally. Niche areas include Engineering, Engineering Technology, Technology, Science and relevant areas with emphasis on electronics.

Link to UniMAP Website

https://www.unimap.edu.my/index.php/en/

To be eligible to participate in this Mobility Program, you must:

• be an Australian citizen, aged 18-28 (provisions are in place for few students over the age of 28 to participate);
• not be a citizen and does not have residency rights in the Host Location in which they will undertake the Mobility Project;
• be undertaking a Bachelor degree (or Bachelor Honours Degree) or BE/ME in one of the following engineering fields; Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Mining Engineering, or Mining & Geotechnical Engineering, in the semester of application;
• be able to enrol in MECH4950 - Advanced Manufacturing in Practice (2 units) in Teaching Period 1 2027. See MECH4950 below for further details.
• be able to attend all activities including a pre-departure seminar, travel to Malaysia in January 2027;
• hold (or be eligible for) a valid Australian passport with more than 6 months validity. Permanent residents of Australia, or students with current Malaysian citizenship or permanent residency are not eligible to apply;
• is not an employee of the branch of DFAT that administers the NCP, or the contractor.
• cannot participate in another offshore scholarship or mobility project while participating in an NCP mobility project, unless otherwise approved by DFAT.
• cannot receive more than 2 New Colombo Plan grants (Mobility or Semester Program) during the course of your undergraduate study; and
• Malay language proficiency is not required. 

• The NCP grant is only available to students who have an elective still available in their program of study. By applying for this program, you agree that you are eligible to enrol in MECH4950 as an elective towards your program;
• If you are enrolled in the BE/ME, please be aware that MECH4950 must be counted as an elective towards your undergraduate program. It is an NCP requirement that MECH4950 must be credited towards your undergraduate program;
• If it is determined upon your graduation that MECH4950 was superfluous to your program requirements, an earlier elective taken in your program will be discarded;
• Students are required to complete progression check with faculty to confirm they have an elective available at the time of application; and 
• The MECH4950 study tour is eligible for Engineering Professional Practice (EPP) hours; and
• Standard tuition fees apply to all students enrolling in MECH4950 (added to your payment scheme such as HECS debt etc).

The $4,000 AUD mobility grant can be used to contribute to your trip costs including:

• Approx. $1,900AUD program fee that includes the on-campus activities and costs associated with attending the industry visits. The program fee is stipulated by UniMAP and is paid by The University of Queensland directly to UniMAP from your grant; 
• Approx. $1,500+AUD for flights;
• Approx. $1,100AUD for accommodation; and
• Meals and local transport costs during the program. 

Please note, once The University of Queensland has deducted UniMAP’s program fee from the $4,000 AUD mobility grant, students will then be transferred the remaining funds to contribute to the above costs.

Applications open: 10/08/26

Information session: (see below for further information)

Application close: 31/08/26 10am

Application outcome: Early September

Program dates: January 2027

The following are the selection criteria against which applicants will be assessed. Applicants should address each criterion and limit their responses to 300 words per criterion. Applicants should use the guidance in the square brackets to assist with their responses.

• Demonstrated academic excellence
  • This criterion relates to academic excellence as demonstrated through the applicant's graded average achieved in tertiary studies and to academic awards and commendations at the tertiary level.
• Demonstrated leadership in the community
  • Applicants may consider including volunteer and not-for-profit roles and/or activities they have undertaken in their local community, overseas or in their university.
• Professional development
  • Applicants describe how this experience enhances their cultural awareness, employment potential and their ability to operate in new and changing environments. The applicant also demonstrates an understanding of the overarching goals of the New Colombo Plan.

Other considerations

In addition to the selection criteria, where applicants have similarly meritorious claims, preference may be given to applicants whose inclusion will promote:

• balance and diversity in: fields of study and across the genders;
• opportunities for students who have not previously received any Australia Government funded off-shore scholarship; and
• representation from diverse student groups (including but not limited to: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; students from regional/remote areas; students with disabilities or students from a non-English speaking background).

A selection panel consisting of representatives from the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering will consider all applications. 

Applications must be submitted through the online application form. Late applications will not be accepted.

The following details will be requested in the online nomination form:

• Name;
• Student ID
• UQ email address
• Mobile phone number;
• Date of birth;
• Gender;
• Degree and plan in which the applicant is enrolled;
• Current cumulative grade point average (GPA); 
• Equity group status;
• Malaysian citizenship or residency status; 
• Previous NCP grant recipient status;
• Responses to the selection criteria; and
• Forward Progression Check completed by the Faculty of EAIT (must be completed within 3 months of application) to studentenquiries@mechmining.uq.edu.au

Dr Xin Fu Tan will discuss the brief details of program followed by Q&A session.

Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Time: 2:00pm
Venue: 51-207
Event Contact: studentenquiries@mechmining.uq.edu.au

Please see below the link to the Information Session recording: 

https://uqz.zoom.us/rec/share/RJo61hl3jNIh66oq5aKRxFuaBYULdVbVg48lj2-7ZK964Z640Z-UBeWHkjOVMXSz.WkSM6qXgcMllIGWr

View in Zoom

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the program, please contact:

Nicholle Elford
School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
studentenquiries@mechmining.uq.edu.au