The Westpac Scholars Trust proposition is simple… to back Australians who can make a difference by awarding 100 scholarships a year, forever.
Since the Trust’s inception, more than $45m has been awarded to over 830 individuals who will drive and shape Australia’s future.
The Trust’s scholarships pursue priorities to:
- Develop world-class leaders, through transformative leadership programs.
- Empower the scholar network, through lifelong access to inspiring communities.
- Foster long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with Australian universities.
- Deliver measurable impact, sustainable for the long-term.
Across five offerings, scholars invest time and energy into studies and research and leadership development, through;
Ms Amy Lyden, CEO of the Westpac Foundation & Scholars Trust, says “Australia in Asia is a focus area of the Westpac Scholars Trust, as we believe that Australia’s future prosperity is integrally linked to Asia.”
In complementing our broad foreign policy architecture which is on display through a raft of Free Trade Agreements and recent relationship upgrades across Asia, the Westpac Asian Exchange program is an investment in Australia’s regional prosperity.
Nations* within the exchange program cluster reflect our key trade and investment markets, tourisms markets, represent influential diaspora populations and have deep and colourful geopolitical ties. They partner with Australia bilaterally and multilaterally across government and through our entwined industry and communities share and address unique regional challenges… we are inextricably linked.
The Westpac Asian Exchange
The Westpac Asian Exchange program is a critical pillar of the Trusts commitment to Australia in Asia. Offering scholars an international experience to develop their cross-cultural thinking, it provides networking opportunities with Australia-Asia leaders.
Since 2015 Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarships have been awarded to 295 individuals, with Westpac delivering funding in excess of $3.7m.
Ms Lyden notes “developing Asia-capable leaders, sharing ideas beyond borders and promoting people-to-people connections for emerging Australian leaders will ensure we are prepared for the future.”
And it’s a future that Westpac are clearly impacting, with 90% of the 2024 Asian Exchange Westpac Scholars reporting they are more confident in their ability to positively contribute to the future of Australia. With approximately 50% of Australian learning abroad students exploring the Indo-Pacific region, the Westpac Asian Exchange scholarship sits impressively as a key facilitator of these experiences. It is a uniquely crafted program elevating and amplifying the value of exchange in Asia.
The Scholarship
The 2-semester study in Asia accelerates a scholar’s impact and leadership, propelling their career forward. Scholars receive funding to support travel and living expenses and immerse themselves in cultural, social and political experiences. Study is hosted in one of six partnering nations*, through existing exchange agreements between Australian home universities (#) and a partner host institution.
Valued at $12,700, the scholarship includes $9,500 in-pocket funding for the exchange and participation in the Leadership Development Program. Highlights include:
- Attending the two-day Westpac Scholars Summit in Sydney
- Participation in one-week bespoke Leadership Development Residential in Singapore hosted in partnership with the University of Tasmania
- Lifelong membership to the Westpac 100 Network (W100)
There is much to learn through collaboration with university partners in Asia. They reflect some of the globes most productive research clusters and host influential education and industry partnerships that lead to knowledge generation and commercialisation and market impact. By any measure Australia’s future is with Asia, it’s an exciting and kaleidoscopic ecosystem.
A previous review of Trust activity highlights program impact and scholar feedback. With 94% of scholars more confident in contributing to the future prosperity of Australia, the exchange program is clearly delivering on its vision. The ‘Creating a Stronger Australia Together’ impact report is available here.
2024 Scholar Ansu Merin Soney notes, “you develop most as a person when you are exposed to uncomfortable circumstances. You cannot learn culture; you have to live and observe cultures”. This is supported by the 94% of 2024 Scholars who indicated the Leadership Development Residential program provided them with skills and knowledge that enhanced their cultural competency. Westpac is building the foundation of a professional cohort developing a nuanced understanding of culture.
Building Asia capability
Investing in a new generation of leaders, this is not simply an exchange scholarship. The year-long immersion curates leadership development opportunities, global engagement and networking and mentoring; preparing a vibrant talent pool of young Australians with the capability to uplift Australia in Asia.
Sam Wall, Asian Exchange Program Lead & W100 Alumni Manager, says “Australia is a large and resourceful country sitting at the bottom of a continent that houses most of the world’s population and economic growth – including our very own trade. Ensuring tomorrow’s leaders are equipped with Asia-capability will be vitally important to Australia’s future.”
So, leadership development, building skills in the context of Asia and cross-cultural communication, are features of a weeklong leadership residential in Singapore. Bringing scholars together prior to their exchange is a game changer, with 94% of participants in the 2024 Scholars residential program noting the leadership development experience provided them with skills, knowledge and networks that contributed to them developing as Asia-capable leaders.
The W100 Network
The W100 network is a community of practice across the Trusts programs. Mr Wall, who manages the Trusts W100 Alumni program, notes in relation to the Asian exchange, “this program will be the start of that journey, empowering our scholars with Asia-capable leadership skills through a mix of cultural immersion and access to thought-leaders from across Australian and Asian societies”.
The network Mr Wall curates is building friendships, allies and mentors. It connects Asian Exchange scholars with industry leaders and world-class experts through the Westpac Group. An inspiring community, they attend exclusive events, including the Sydney Westpac Scholars Summit.
The opportunities for educational institutions, government and industry partners are elevated through this concentration of diverse undergraduate talent. The network is bought together through a platform connecting scholars globally. The talent pool of the growing W100 network is displayed here.
The immersive experience forges meaningful relationships between the next generation of young Australian and Asian leaders and is highlighted by the reflection of Ansu Merin Soney, 2024 Westpac Asian Exchange Scholar, “despite the rapid rate of change, Asia-capable leadership is not a skill that will be undervalued in the future.” Forever starts now for the 2025 cohort of Westpac Asian Exchange Scholars.
So, what are the next steps on a Westpac Asian Exchange journey?
- Find out more at the 6 Nov on line information session, register here.
- Review eligibility requirements and FAQ’s here.
- Apply for a Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship here.
Applications for students across 14 partnering Australian universities (#) close 5:00pm AEDT, Monday 2 December 2024
* (Destination countries) Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
# (Partner institutions) Australian National University, Monash University, Murdoch University, Queensland University of Technology, RMIT University, The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, University of Tasmania, The University of Western Australia, University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University
