I asked:
When did the Colombo Plan Scholarship (used to fully fund international students to pursue undergraduate studies in another country, for example a Singaporean studying in Australia) actually exist? Or did it cease to exist?
The Colombo Plan Scholarship was established in 1951 as part of a broader initiative by the Colombo Plan, a regional organization designed to promote economic and social development in Asia. The scholarships were originally aimed at providing fully-funded opportunities for students from Asia to pursue higher education in countries like Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other member countries. This helped strengthen ties between Asia and the Western world during the post-war period.
Over the years, the nature of the Colombo Plan Scholarship has evolved. Initially, it was a full scholarship for students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various countries. However, the focus of the Colombo Plan shifted toward supporting technical training and development programs over time. As a result, the scholarships gradually transitioned away from funding undergraduate education and were more oriented toward technical and vocational training, as well as postgraduate studies in fields like science, engineering, and development studies.
In terms of whether it ceased to exist, while the full Colombo Plan Scholarship for undergraduate studies is not as widely offered today as it once was, the Colombo Plan still exists in a different form. It continues to provide scholarships and assistance, although its focus now tends to be on postgraduate education and professional development. Some countries and institutions still offer scholarships under the broader umbrella of the Colombo Plan, but they are generally more specialized and geared towards specific fields of study.
So, the full undergraduate funding scholarships have largely ceased, but the Colombo Plan itself is still active, primarily focused on regional cooperation and development.
