FOR two Australian students studying in Malaysia, learning has extended far beyond theoretical knowledge and research.
By engaging with the country’s multicultural heritage, Chloe Adams and Maddie Lysaght have gained a deeper understanding of diversity, adaptability and human connection – cross-cultural insights that they say have sharpened their global competence.
“Malaysia is an ideal environment to develop cross-cultural competence.
“It’s incredibly important to live and work in a multicultural society and to gain that experience here,” Adams told StarEdu.
The 24-year-old said they had met people from cultural backgrounds different from those they had been exposed to in their home country.
Such understanding of how different cultures and religions respond to situations ultimately makes one a better employee and a better person, she added.
Part of the 2025 Australia New Colombo Plan (NCP) cohort, Adams and Lysaght began their journeys in Malaysia last September and December, respectively.
While Adams completed her programme in February, Lysaght will spend seven months in the country.
Launched in 2014, the NCP empowers Australian undergraduates to develop their Indo-Pacific capability and Asia literacy through structured learning and internships in the region.
During her time in Malaysia, Adams, an animal ecology student at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, explored ecological systems not found back home.
Lysaght, who is pursuing indigenous studies at the University of Wollongong, Australia, is researching Orang Asli communities in Malaysia, with a focus on sustainable development and the long-term implications of tourism.
Both chose Universiti Malaya as their host university, citing its comprehensive academic offerings and strong support system for international students.
Lysaght, also 24, described diversity as a strength that builds resilience and adaptability.
“Over time, you develop your own toolkit – strategies, insights, and ways of problem-solving – that become incredibly valuable.
“I truly believe that experience prepares us well for any kind of working environment in the future,” she said.
She also recalled being struck by the warmth of the Malaysian people.
“Even on my first day at my Bahasa Malaysia (BM) language class, it felt like everyone was my best friend and family,” she said.
Speaking during a media interview at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 5, first secretary Angela Rendall said the NCP is set to offer 500 scholarships annually by 2028 to build a larger cohort of students with stronger Indo-Pacific capabilities.
Indo-Pacific capability, she explained, refers to equipping students with a working understanding of the region – including its cultures, economies, languages and business practices – while Asia literacy focuses on building the skills needed to engage effectively with Asian countries.
“Malaysia is Australia’s 11th largest trading partner, and as a region, South-East Asia is our second-largest trading partner overall. The region is projected to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040,” she added.
The NCP includes a scholarship programme for up to 19 months of study and internships or mentorships, as well as a flexible mobility grants programme for short- and long-term study, internships, mentorships, clinical placements, practicums and research.
For 2026, 10 scholarships, 62 semester-length grants, and 56 short-term mobility grants were awarded to Australian undergraduates for study, language training and internships in Malaysia.
As of January 2026, more than 56,000 alumni have been supported by the NCP.
