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We areÌýextremely pleased to announce our Westpac Asian Exchange Scholars for 2021, Claudia Agius, Edward Choi, Emma Troughton, Glenn Tarawa, and Mirco Di Giacomo.Ìý

As part of receiving the scholarship, the students will receive funds for their exchange program and receive opportunities for leadership development, language learning, and internships.

On Thursday 20 May, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Jacqueline Lo met for morning tea with the 2021 Scholars to discuss their goals and aspirations.Ìý

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Claudia AgiusÌýis a Japanese and Linguistics studentÌýenthusiastic about language learning and social justice. She hopes to travel to Japan with her Westpac Scholarship. While in Japan, Claudia hopesÌýto improve herÌýsocio-linguistic understanding, learn more about language preservation of the Japanese Indigenous languages and volunteer with Non-Profit Organisations. In the future, she hopes to have a career in Translation and Interpreting, working between Australia and Asia to address international issues and solve global problems.

Edward ChoiÌýis a Law and Finance student enthusiastic about Australian and Asia-Pacific relations. Edward hopes to travel to Hong Kong SAR on his Westpac Scholarship. While in Hong Kong, Edward hopes toÌýbetter connect Australian businesses, communities, and government to new technology and disruptive innovation that positively changes the way we live our day-to-day lives. He also an interest in artificial intelligence, how it is helping to solve global issues and is poised to have a significant effect on sustainability, climate change, and environmental issues.

Emma TroughtonÌýis an Arts, Laws, and International Studies student enthusiastic about culture and cross-cultural engagement. Emma hopes to travel to China on her Westpac Scholarship. She has pursued a wide range of opportunities to complement her degrees, including internships, study abroad programs and volunteering. She has also assisted the Australian Youth Representative to the UN and directed the growth of not-for-profit organisations. Emma isÌýdetermined to create positive people-driven solutions for prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Glenn TarawaÌýis a Sociology student enthusiastic about Intersectionality, Whiteness Theory, Critical Race Theory, and Conflict theory. Glenn hopes to travel to Japan. He isÌýinterested in understanding social issues within our society, analysing them, and addressing them. Glenn believes there is potential for Australia to examine its own approach to social inequality and to learn from our allies in East Asia. Throughout his scholarship, Glenn intendsÌýon examining multiculturalism, hegemony, and workplace relations within East Asia.Ìý

Mirco Di GiacomoÌýis an International Relations and Arts student enthusiastic about politics in the Asia-Pacific. Mirco hopes to travel to Singapore on his Westpac scholarship. HeÌýbelieves in the power and importance of research in ‘making sense’ of, and providing the tools to improve, the world surrounding us. His research interestsÌýalso include Asia and its relationship to Australia, the focus of hisÌýinternational relations capstone as well as hisÌýpolitical analysis authorship.Ìý