Lumen Summer 2015 - Flipbook - Page 17
I feel privileged to have
the opportunity to live and
work overseas, and to be
able to offer the experience
of immersion in a foreign
culture to my family.
Master of Arts (Foreign Affairs and Trade)
from Monash University.
In her 17 years with DFAT, Dara has
worked across a wide range of areas,
including participation in a short-term
mission as a civilian monitor in the
Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group in
the late 1990s, a three-year posting to
Geneva at the Australian mission to the
World Trade Organisation and various
roles in Canberra.
“The opportunities to study overseas
– both as a Japanese language student
and through the Adelaide Law School’s
partnerships with foreign universities –
played an important role in gaining skills
and experience relevant to a career in
DFAT,” said Dara.
“The diverse experience was good
training for DFAT, where staff need to apply
their skills and knowledge flexibly across a
wide range of different work areas.
“While it’s not necessary
to have a language, a higher
degree or overseas work
or study experience – DFAT
graduates come from a
variety of study backgrounds
– these are viewed favourably.”
Dara encourages
students to actively seek out
opportunities for international
study and says the offerings
under the NCP are ideal.
There are very strong
university links between
Australia and Japan, which
has been a very popular
destination during the pilot
year of the NCP.
Eleven Australian students have been
awarded an NCP scholarship for Japan
and during the pilot about 450 students
are undertaking study abroad programs.
The students are from a wide range of
disciplines including language, culture,
international relations, politics, science,
education, health and business.
A considerable focus of Dara’s NCPrelated work has been to reach out
to Japanese companies and other
organisations to create internship and
mentorship opportunities. Liaison with
Japanese officials on NCP implementation
has been another element of her work.
“The diversity of my work is brilliant,”
said Dara. “In a typical week at the Tokyo
Embassy, I will be meeting officials from
the Japanese government, talking to
Japanese parliamentarians, engaging with
visiting Australian officials here to conduct
a range of business, perhaps opening an
art exhibition and chatting to NCP students.
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity
to live and work overseas, and to be able
to offer the experience of immersion in a
foreign culture to my family.”
Above: Dara and Dr Shoko Yoneyama
Left: Dara Williams in the grounds of
the Australian Embassy in Tokyo
New Colombo Plan provides
global opportunities
The University of Adelaide’s strong international focus has
helped it secure significant involvement in the Federal
Government’s signature New Colombo Plan (NCP).
During the start-up pilot phase, Adelaide attracted
$287,000 for international study programs in the IndoPacific and our students have also won key scholarships.
The $100 million flagship program officially began in
2014 and is designed to forge closer ties with the region
through increased overseas study and internships. More
than 100 University students received a grant of up to
$3,000 and three students were awarded scholarships
to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The NCP aims to lift knowledge of the region in
Australia, build leadership skills, and foster people-to
people and institutional relationships. The Australian
Government wants to see study in the Indo Pacific
become a rite of passage for Australian undergraduate
students and an endeavour that is highly valued across
the Australian community.
More information is available at www.dfat.gov.au/new-colombo-plan/
|e University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 15
