Asian endeavour for students with PM's scholarships

Three University of Adelaide students have been awarded Federal Government scholarships to study and work in Asia.

PhD candidates Hungyen Lin and Jeff Newman and undergraduate student Anastasia Woolmer have each won a prestigious Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award - the Asian equivalent of a Rhodes Scholar.

Hungyen Lin, 28, of Hackham West, is studying for a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He will attend Osaka University in Japan next year to research optical imaging innovations.

Jeff Newman, 26, of Tranmere, is a PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His scholarship will enable him to attend the Harbin Institute of Technology in China to further his research on water engineering.

Anastasia Woolmer, 33, of Stepney, is studying for a Bachelor of Economics. She will attend Nagoya University in Japan next year to research that country's history of economic recession in the last 15 years.

All three will also undertake internships with Asian companies or organisations relevant to their degrees.

The University of Adelaide's Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor James McWha, said the awards provided "a unique opportunity for local students to broaden their professional and personal horizons in an international context".

"The Australia Endeavour Awards will help our students undertake research that is not only relevant to their degree, but they will gain international work experience and build a professional network in Asia.

"It's a wonderful achievement and an opportunity to establish lifelong career collaborations. These awards also further cement the University's strong links with Asia," Professor McWha said.

The awards, introduced in 2010, provide educational and living expenses for 6-12 months of study, followed by internships of up to a year. They are valued at up to $63,500 for postgraduates and up to $41,500 for undergraduates. Forty awards in total are made to university students across Australia.

Three of the four awards presented to South Australian students were from the University of Adelaide.

The students received their awards from Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a ceremony in Canberra last month.

Story by Candy Gibson