Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade New Colombo Plan Alumni … · 2019-09-02 · General...
Transcript of Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade New Colombo Plan Alumni … · 2019-09-02 · General...
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research
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Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Year 3 Report of survey findings February 2019
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research
Table of contents
Executive summary ..................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 5 Methodology .............................................................................................................. 5
Data collection................................................................................................................... 5 Alumni survey participant profile ................................................................................... 7
General demographics ........................................................................................................ 7 Employment .................................................................................................................... 10 Current study .................................................................................................................. 13 Future plans .................................................................................................................... 13
NCP impacts and networking links ................................................................................15 Importance of NCP funding ............................................................................................... 15 NCP experience /scholarship influence on career .................................................................. 16 NCP contacts and links ..................................................................................................... 16
The Alumni Program ...................................................................................................22 Useful elements of the NCP Alumni Program ........................................................................ 22 NCP alumni events ........................................................................................................... 23 NCP alumni or advocacy activities ...................................................................................... 25 Online NCP alumni events ................................................................................................. 27 Professional development activities of interest ..................................................................... 28 NCP alumni LinkedIn group ............................................................................................... 28 Australia Global Alumni Network ........................................................................................ 30 Preferred communication channel for NCP alumni information ............................................... 32 Mentoring ....................................................................................................................... 32
Benefits of the NCP experience ....................................................................................33 Comments on the most valuable elements of NCP ................................................................ 35
Promoting the NCP .....................................................................................................36 Appendix ..................................................................................................................38
Benefits of the NCP experience by demographics ................................................................. 38
Australian Survey Research Group Pty Ltd is accredited under the AS ISO 20252 quality standard applying to market and social research.
This research project was carried out in compliance with the AS ISO 20252 quality standard.
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Executive summary
In 2016, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) commissioned Australian Survey Research Group (ASR) to develop, conduct and analyse a recurring evaluation survey for New Colombo Plan (NCP) alumni.
This report presents the results of the third alumni survey conducted in late 2018 and reported as 2019. The survey focused on NCP alumni who completed their NCP activity around 12-15 months and 36 months before the survey was conducted.
ASR invited a total of 3,875 alumni to the survey. The invitation list was based on participants who were invited to the NCP Scholar and Mobility completion surveys. Each alumni survey participant received an invitation email containing a unique link to the online survey.
Sample and response rates The 2019 alumni survey was open from October 2018 to the end of January 2019. In total, three reminders were sent to participants that had not yet completed the survey. Non-complete participants received at least two reminder emails and those with valid mobile phone numbers received a third (final) SMS reminder. Those without mobile phone numbers in their record were emailed a third (final) reminder.
The table below outlines the invitations sent, completions and email bounce backs. Consistent with earlier alumni surveys, the overall response rate was 18%. A total of 711 respondents completed the 2019 survey. The table below outlines the invitations sent, completions and email bounce backs.
Survey round Email invitations count
Completions count
Bounce-backs count
Response rate %*
2016 1,324 197 97 16
Early 2018 3,954 586 245 16
Late 2018 (reported as 2019) 3,875 711 323 18
*Bounce-backs were subtracted from the email invitation count in the response rate calculation.
General demographics of the 2019 alumni sample • The ratio of female to male responses was 59:41.
• There was a wide spread of host countries—where NCP alumni undertook their program. China (18%) and Indonesia (13%) were the most popular host countries in 2019.
• Only 2% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 3% of respondents identified as having a disability.
• Fifty-seven percent of respondents had an undergraduate degree including honours as their highest level of education. Notably, 28% of respondents had year 12 as their highest level of education, indicating that they were still studying for / had not yet completed a degree.
• Sixty percent of respondents were employed or self-employed, while 58% were undergraduate students and 8% were postgraduate students. Note that multiple answers were allowed for this question, so one person could be in several categories.
• Of the 60% of alumni who were employed and/or self-employed:
o 34% believed their NCP experience / scholarship helped them get their current job
o 17% manage staff, typically 10 or fewer staff members (78%)
o 62% indicated that their NCP experience had some level of impact on their current employment.
• Field of study at the time of their NCP program was asked of alumni who were employed and/or self-employed, who indicated the NCP program had impact on their current employment or those who were
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unsure whether it had an impact. Responses were grouped into categories with the following as the most common fields of study: Medicine and human health (21%), Social science (13%) and Business / Commerce / Economics / Accounting 13%). Fifty-four percent of respondents who indicated a degree of NCP impact / unsure of impact were still working in the same or similar field as when they had their NCP experience.
• Among the proportion of alumni who were studying, the vast majority (88%) were studying at undergraduate level and 10% were undertaking some form of post graduate study.
Future plans Alumni were asked about their plans for the next five years. Fifty-six percent indicated that they intended to undertake further study, 53% wanted to seek employment in Australia and 36% wanted to seek advancement in their current career.
NCP experience /scholarship influence on career Alumni were asked to if they would have had an NCP experience without NCP funding / support. A large majority (74%) indicated that the experience would not have been possible with NCP funding / support.
The NCP experience had a positive influence on the majority of alumni career choices and prospects. Sixty-nine percent indicated that their NCP experience influenced their career choices to a great or moderate extent. Eighty-four percent of respondents believed their experience had made a positive contribution to their career prospects to a great or moderate extent.
NCP contacts and links Seventy-four percent of respondents maintained at least one significant link and 24% had maintained at least four significant links while 26% indicated they had not maintained any significant links. Most of the links maintained were personal in nature.
The main type of contact alumni had with their links was social media sharing (64% and higher). Around 50% of respondents had contact with their links at least monthly. A small proportion had contact less than once a year.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported that their NCP contacts enhanced their understanding and connections to the Indo Pacific region to a great or moderate extent. Fifty-four percent believed their study opportunities / outcomes were enhanced greatly or moderately and 47% reported their employment prospects / outcomes were greatly or moderately enhanced by their contacts. Notably, 20% of respondents did not believe that their contacts had enhanced their employment prospects / outcomes and 13% indicated the same for study opportunities / outcomes.
Seventy-two percent of respondents had travelled since completing their NCP experience / scholarship; 16% had travelled to their host location and 38% had travelled to another Indo-Pacific location.
Useful elements of the NCP Alumni Program Sixty-three percent of respondents indicated that job or work opportunities would be the most useful to them as part of the NCP Alumni Program. Professional development opportunities (57%) and professional networking (56%) were also popular elements.
Attendance at NCP alumni events and likely future attendance / participation Ten percent indicated that they had attended an NCP alumni event while 47% indicated they would be likely to attend an NCP alumni event. Respondents were most interested in job / work placement opportunities (73%) at these events, followed by professional networking (68%) and learning (58%).
NCP alumni are welcome to participate in a number of alumni and advocacy activities after the conclusion of their program. Social networking with other NCP students attracted 46% of respondents. Around a quarter of alumni had participated in each of other activities surveyed.
Sixty-eight percent of respondents who participated in mentoring/training of other NCP students prior to their departure found the exercise very or somewhat useful. Similarly, 62% of those who participated in social networking with other NCP students and 66% of those who did a job placement with a business or organisation associated with
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NCP found the exercise very or somewhat useful.
Thirty-two percent of alumni answered they would be likely to participate in an NCP online event while 33% indicated that they would not participate. Job / work placement opportunities, learning and professional networking were the three main areas of interest to alumni who indicated they would likely participate in an online NCP alumni event.
Professional development as part of the alumni program Working across or with different cultures (65%), access to leaders in their field of study (62%) and leadership / management skills (51%) were the three professional development of most interest in an NCP Alumni Program.
Participation in other NCP alumni groups
LinkedIn Sixteen percent of respondents answered they were members of the NCP alumni LinkedIn group—a declining number since the survey commenced.
Of the alumni who belong to the NCP LinkedIn alumni group, 42% found event information useful, while 41% found new articles useful.
In some cases more than 50% of alumni did not read or did not know about particular resources available at the LinkedIn group. For example 21% of alumni didn’t read and 30% didn’t know about discussion forums available in the group.
Australia Global Alumni Seventy-eight percent of respondents were not members of the Australia Global Alumni Network while 16% were unsure.
Of the small proportion of respondents who indicated that they were members of the Australia Global Alumni Network 24% found the event information on the site useful. Twenty-four percent found professional opportunities useful, and 28% found news articles useful.
Note that a very high proportion of Australia Global Alumni Network members have not read or did not know about the various resources available (50% or more for each of the resources).
Preferred communications channel for NCP alumni information For 85% of respondents, email was the preferred channel for receiving alumni program information.
Mentoring Thirty-seven percent of respondents would be willing to be a mentor for an NCP student or alumnus. Thirty-six percent answered maybe (implying a dependence on what the commitment would require).
Benefits of the NCP experience There were a number of positive benefits the NCP alumni had gained from their NCP program that aligned with the strategic objectives of the program. These aligned benefits related to strengthening understanding, connections and work readiness of NCP alumni to businesses and institutions within the Indo-Pacific region.
Promoting NCP One way in which NCP alumni respondents may demonstrate their positive attitude towards and sense of value of the NCP program is through recommending and actively promoting the NCP program to Australian students and organisations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The vast majority (91%) of respondents indicated that they recommended the program to Australian students either frequently or occasionally, 77% actively promoted the program frequently or occasionally and similarly, and 74% encouraged non-NCP friends, family and colleagues to take an interest in or to develop links with the Indo-Pacific region including their host country frequently or occasionally.
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Sixty-six percent of all NCP alumni respondents indicated they were willing to promote the NCP program in some way and most commonly this was through providing promotional photos (43% of those who answered the question), mentoring NCP students (38%) speaking at schools/unis (37%) and helping with pre-departure briefings (36%).
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Introduction
In 2016, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) commissioned Australian Survey Research Group (ASR) to develop, conduct and analyse a recurring evaluation survey for New Colombo Plan (NCP) alumni.
This report presents the results of the third alumni survey conducted in late 2018 and reported as 2019. The survey focused on NCP alumni who completed their NCP activity around 12-15 months and 36 months prior to the survey being conducted.
This report outlines how the ongoing online survey has been conducted, the profile of participants, key findings of the survey, and demographic differences. Results have been presented by round of surveying and cumulatively.
Methodology
Data collection
Online
ASR invited a total of 3,875 alumni to the survey. The invitation list was based on participants who were invited to the NCP Scholar and Mobility completion surveys. Each alumni survey participant received an invitation email containing a unique link to the online survey.
Sample and response rates
The 2019 alumni survey was open from October 2018 to the end of January 2019. In total, three reminders were sent to participants that had not yet completed the survey. Non-complete participants received at least two reminder emails and those with valid mobile phone numbers received a third (final) SMS reminder. Those without mobile phone numbers in their record were emailed a third (final) reminder.
The table below outlines the invitations sent, completions and email bounce backs. Consistent with the 2016 survey, the overall response rate was 18%. A total of 711 respondents completed the 2019 survey. The table below outlines the invitations sent, completions and email bounce backs.
Survey round Email invitations count
Completions count
Bounce-backs count
Response rate %*
2016 1,324 197 97 16
Early 2018 3,954 586 245 16
Late 2018 (reported as 2019) 3,875 711 323 18
*Bounce-backs were subtracted from the email invitation count in the response rate calculation
Population and sample comparison
In order to assess the representativeness of the survey sample, a comparison of the population of alumni (everyone sent an invitation) and the sample who responded for this round of reporting has been compared using two demographics that DFAT provided ASR in student files. The results show that the population and sample have a similar composition or profile on both demographics. Refer to the two charts below. Another way of saying this is that there is very little non-response bias in the survey sample—a good result. Consequently, the survey data has not been weighted.
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Confidence level and interval
For the 2018, there were sufficient responses for the survey sample to be representative at the 95% confidence level and at the ±5% confidence interval, on the assumption that respondents randomly chose to answer.
This is a good result in terms of survey sample.
Confidence level means that you can be 95% sure that if the survey was completed again by the same / similar people that the same result would be achieved. Confidence interval is the margin of error that needs to be kept in mind when reading charts and tables. So if a result is 60% in a chart, it should be interpreted as 56% to 64% of respondents had that view.
Note about reading the charts and tables in this report Charts show the results from the two alumni surveys conducted in quarter 1 and 4 of 2018 and 2016 surveys, as well as the total (cumulative) results. Commentary is based on the 2018 quarter 4 results, indicated as 2019 for reporting purposes, unless stated otherwise.
Within the report, data labels in the stacked charts with values of less than 2% have been removed for readability. Only values of 2% or higher have been labelled.
The NCP alumni survey was voluntary and only a few questions were made compulsory (they required an answer to move on to the next page). This meant that the number of people who answered each question varied throughout the survey. The total counts (n counts) presented in the report tables and charts are based on valid counts, that is, where a participant has actually answered a question, so the counts fluctuate throughout the report. Missing values (no answers) have been excluded in charts and tables. Total counts (n counts) are displayed alongside the survey year, either in the legend below a chart or next to the axes of a chart.
Because whole decimals have been used in charts and tables, values in charts may not sum to totals due to rounding and may be slightly different (by ±1%) to numbers in the narrative around a chart.
64
35
59
41
0 20 40 60 80
Female
Male
Alumni gender comparison - population with completion survey sample (%)
Population n=3875 Sample n=711
13
19
4
13
8
4
4
4
3
13
18
7
11
6
8
4
4
3
3
0 10 20
Indonesia
China (PRC)
Japan
India
Singapore
Vietnam
Hong Kong (SAR)
Malaysia
Cambodia
Thailand
Alumni host country comparison - population with completion survey sample (%)
Population n=3875 Sample n=711
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Alumni survey participant profile
This section provides information on participant profiles based on broad demographics.
General demographics The ratio of female to male responses was 59:41. Refer to the chart below.
The spread of countries where NCP alumni undertook their program between 2019 and 2018 was similar. China (PRC) (18%) and Indonesia (13%) were the most popular host countries, as they were in 2018.
59
41
0
58
41
1
60
40
0
59
41
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Female
Male
Indeterminate / Intersex /Unspecified
Gender % respondents
2019 n=711 2018 n=586 2016 n=197 Total n=1494
13
18
7
11
6
8
4
4
3
3
13
18
9
10
6
5
4
5
4
4
41
37
0
13
0
9
0
0
0
16
16
12
9
7
6
4
4
3
3
0 10 20 30 40 50
Indonesia
China (PRC)^
Japan
India^
Singapore
Vietnam^
Hong Kong (SAR)
Malaysia^
Cambodia^
Thailand^
Primary host country % respondents ^New response in 2018
2019 n=711 2018 n=586 2016 n=197 Total n=1494
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Of those alumni who answered, 2% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Of those alumni who answered, 3% of respondents identified as having a disability.
98
2
0
0
97
2
0
0
99
1
0
0
98
2
0
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Not Aboriginal or TorresStrait Islander
Aboriginal
Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander
Torres Strait Islander
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status % respondents
2019 n=488 2018 n=510 2016 n=145 Total n=1143
97
3
96
4
96
4
96
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
I do not have a disability
I have a disability
Disability status % respondents
2019 n=469 2018 n=491 2016 n=138 Total n=1098
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Fifty-seven percent of alumni respondents had an undergraduate degree including honours as their highest level of education. Notably, 28% of respondents had year 12 as their highest level of education, indicating that they were still studying for or had not yet completed a degree.
57
28
5
4
2
0
3
66
23
6
1
2
0
1
66
21
6
1
3
1
3
62
25
6
2
2
0
2
0 20 40 60 80
Undergraduate degree(including honours)
Year 12
Graduate diploma orgraduate certificate
Vocational qualification
Masters degree
Doctorate
Other
Highest level of education % respondents
2019 n=447 2018 n=421 2016 n=150 Total n=1018
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Employment Sixty percent of respondents were employed or self-employed, while 58% were undergraduate students and 8% were postgraduate students. Note that multiple responses were allowed for this question, so one person could be in several categories.
Of the 60% of alumni who were employed and/or self-employed, 34% indicated that their NCP experience / scholarship helped them get their current job.
54
58
13
8
10
6
4
1
2
60
46
16
15
11
4
4
1
1
52
52
15
12
7
3
1
1
56
52
14
11
10
5
3
1
1
0 20 40 60
Employed (paid work for anorganisation)
Studying (undergraduate)
Looking for work
Studying (postgraduate)
Voluntary (unpaid) work
Self-employed (paid workfor myself)
Unemployed
Full-time carer
Other
Current employment status Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n counts in legend
2019 n=711 2018 n=583 2016 n=191 Total n=1485
34
51
15
41
41
18
42
42
16
38
46
16
0 20 40 60
Yes
No
Not sure
NCP experience helped you get this job % respondents who were employed (excluding self-employed)
2019 n=408 2018 n=347 2016 n=100 Total n=855
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Of the 64% of alumni who were employed and/or self-employed, 17% managed staff.
Seventy-eight percent of alumni who managed staff managed 10 or fewer staff members.
85
15
87
13
87
13
83
17
0 20 40 60 80 100
No
Yes
Manage staff % respondents employed
2019 n=406 2018 n=348 2016 n=98 Total n=852
31
25
22
12
4
4
1
21
26
29
2
19
0
2
15
23
38
15
0
8
0
26
25
26
9
9
3
2
0 10 20 30 40 50
1 - 2
3 - 4
5 - 10
11 - 19
20 - 49
50 - 99
100 or more
Number of staff managed % respondents who manage staff
2019 n=68 2018 n=42 2016 n=13 Total n=123
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Of alumni who were employed and/or self-employed, 62% indicated that their NCP experience had some level of impact on their current employment.
Field of study at the time of their NCP program was asked of alumni who were employed and/or self-employed or who indicated the NCP program had impact on their current employment or asked of those who were unsure whether it had any impact.
Responses were grouped into categories, with the top 10 shown in the chart below. Medicine and human health (21%), Social science (13%) and Business / Commerce / Economics / Accounting (13%) were the three most common fields.
15
19
28
30
8
13
21
33
25
8
14
20
30
28
8
0 10 20 30 40
A great deal of impact
A fair amount of impact
Some impact
None
Unsure or too early to tell
Impact of NCP experience on current employment % respondents employed, n=348 New question in 2018
2019 n=402 2018 n=348 Total n=750
21
13
13
14
10
7
2
5
4
3
18
17
15
5
9
9
11
5
5
1
20
15
14
11
10
8
6
5
4
2
0 10 20 30
Medicine / Human health
Social science
Business / Commerce /Economics / Accounting
Arts / Philosophy /language
Engineering
Law
Education
STEM Science
Built environment
Information Technology
Field of study at time of NCP program - top ten % employed respondents who indicated NCP had impact on employment / unsure about impact New question 2018
2019 n=381 2018 n=258 Total n=639
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Alumni who were employed and/or self-employed, who indicated the NCP program had impact on their current employment or who were unsure whether it had, were asked whether they were working in the same or similar field. Fifty-four percent indicated they were in the same field.
Current study Among the proportion of alumni who were studying, the vast majority (88%) were studying at undergraduate level while 10% were undertaking some form of post graduate study. Refer to the chart below.
Future plans Alumni were asked about their plans for the next five years. Fifty-six percent indicated that they intended to undertake further study; 53% wanted to seek employment in Australia and 36% wanted to seek advancement in their current career. Refer to the chart below.
54
19
28
66
17
17
59
18
23
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Yes, same broad field
Somewhat related field butnot the same
No, quite different field
Working in same or similar field % respondents who said NCP program had impact on employment / unsure about impact; New question 2018
2019 n=381 2018 n=259 Total n=640
88
1
7
2
0
2
75
3
13
6
0
4
86
1
8
3
0
2
83
2
9
4
0
3
0 20 40 60 80 100
Undergraduate degree
Graduate diploma
Masters degree
Doctorate
Vocational qualification
Other
Current level of study % respondents, those studying
2019 n=464 2018 n=350 2016 n=117 Total n=931
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56
53
36
30
33
26
23
21
17
15
11
6
3
2
54
50
40
31
31
30
23
19
17
15
9
3
4
1
59
51
29
42
31
24
27
16
17
13
10
3
3
3
55
51
37
32
32
27
24
19
17
15
10
4
3
2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Further study
Seek employment inAustralia
Seek advancement incurrent career
Seek employment overseas(Indo Pacific Region)
Seek employment overseas(elsewhere)
Continue in currentemployment
Explore a new career path
Seek an internship inAustralia
Seek an internshipoverseas (Indo Pacific…
Seek an internshipoverseas (elsewhere)
Start my own business
Continue to work in myown business
Career break
Other
Plans for the next five years Multiple answers allowed so total > 100%; % based on n counts in legend
2019 n=709 2018 n=583 2016 n=188 Total n=1480
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NCP impacts and networking links
The following section reports findings from survey questions about the impact of NCP on students personally.
Importance of NCP funding As a new question for the latest round of surveying, alumni were asked if they would have had an NCP experience without NCP funding / support. A large majority (74%) indicated that the experience would not have been possible with NCP funding / support. Those who answered this way were asked to provide further details and the predominant response was that they could not have had the experience they did without monetary or logistical support.
11
74
15
0 20 40 60 80 100
Able to have experience
Not able to haveexperience
Not sure
Ability to have NCP experience without funding / support % respondents, n=555 New question in 2019
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NCP experience /scholarship influence on career The NCP experience had a positive influence on the majority of alumni career choices and prospects. Sixty-nine percent indicated that their NCP experience influenced their career choices to a great or moderate extent. Eighty-four percent of respondents believed their experience had made a positive contribution to their career prospects to a great or moderate extent. Refer to the chart below.
NCP contacts and links NCP alumni were asked how many links they had maintained with anyone in their host location or anyone they had met through their NCP experience. They were also asked to indicate the nature of their four most significant links.
The chart below shows the number of significant links maintained by respondents. Seventy-four percent of respondents maintained at least one significant link and 24% had maintained at least four significant links while 26% indicated they had not maintained any significant links.
31
30
35
31
51
48
56
50
38
36
47
39
33
37
32
35
20
22
10
19
13
12
7
12
7
9
4
8
2
2
2
2
4
3
4
3
2
2
2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=711
2018 n=586
2016 n=186
Total n=1483
2019 n=711
2018 n=585
2016 n=188
Total n=1484
Influ
ence
d yo
ur c
aree
rch
oice
s
Con
trib
uted
pos
itive
ly t
oyo
ur fut
ure
care
erpr
ospe
cts
Extent to which NCP experience / scholarship has enhanced career % respondents choosing a rating point
To a great extent To a moderate extent To a minor extent Not at all Not sure
26
14
22
14
24
26
14
23
14
24
16
15
25
15
29
25
14
22
14
25
0 10 20 30 40
None
1
2
3
4
Number of most significant links maintained % respondents
2019 n=696 2018 n=520 2016 n=164 Total n=1380
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The chart below shows the links maintained by type—whether professional, academic or personal (friends)—and most of the maintained links were personal. The classifications for each link allowed multiple answers, therefore a link could be nominated in up to three classifications. As a result the total percentages add to more than 100.
36
36
30
35
35
26
22
30
31
21
15
25
34
17
15
25
39
35
30
37
32
35
27
32
34
32
31
33
43
24
26
34
74
66
59
69
75
70
66
72
75
73
71
74
73
79
76
76
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
2019 n=513
2018 n=384
2016 n=137
Total n=1034
2019 n=406
2018 n=309
2016 n=111
Total n=826
2019 n=258
2018 n=191
2016 n=72
Total n=521
2019 n=158
2018 n=124
2016 n=46
Total n=328
Link
1Li
nk 2
Link
3Li
nk 4
Type of link Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in legend
Professional Academic Personal
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 18
Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported that the NCP contacts / links that they had maintained had enhanced their understanding and connections to the Indo Pacific region to a great or moderate extent. Fifty-four percent believed their study opportunities / outcomes were enhanced to a great or moderate extent and 47% reported their employment prospects / outcomes were enhanced to a great or moderate extent. Refer to the chart below.
Notably, 20% of respondents did not believe that their contacts had enhanced their employment prospects / outcomes and 13% indicated the same for study opportunities / outcomes.
26
25
29
26
20
19
26
20
47
46
53
48
28
34
32
31
27
34
26
29
31
28
30
30
29
23
23
26
27
25
27
26
14
18
9
15
13
15
12
14
20
20
16
20
5
6
5
5
4
3
3
3
6
2
5
5
3
2
2
2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=514
2018 n=383
2016 n=137
Total n=1034
2019 n=515
2018 n=385
2016 n=137
Total n=1037
2019 n=516
2018 n=385
2016 n=137
Total n=1038
Stu
dyop
port
uniti
es/o
utc
omes
Empl
oym
ent
pros
pect
s/ou
tcom
es
Und
erst
andi
ngan
d co
nnec
tions
to t
he I
ndo
Paci
ficre
gion
Extent to which NCP contacts/ links have enhanced ... % respondents
To a great extent To a moderate extent To a minor extent Not at all Don't know
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 19
The main type of contact alumni had with their links was through social media (64% or higher). The classifications for each link allowed multiple answers, therefore a link could be nominated in up to five classifications. As a result the total percentages add to more than 100.
29
30
26
29
27
23
19
24
27
17
13
21
32
15
13
23
42
42
33
41
40
40
39
40
43
39
40
41
45
40
52
44
67
64
55
64
67
64
65
65
68
75
53
68
73
77
70
74
33
33
36
33
31
28
30
30
33
34
33
33
35
33
48
36
54
52
50
53
47
57
47
51
48
51
60
51
54
60
63
57
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
2019 n=515
2018 n=384
2016 n=137
Total n=1036
2019 n=407
2018 n=312
2016 n=113
Total n=832
2019 n=257
2018 n=193
2016 n=72
Total n=522
2019 n=158
2018 n=124
2016 n=46
Total n=328
Link
1Li
nk 2
Link
3Li
nk 4
Type of contact Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in legend
Professional collaboration Sharing informationSocial media contact CorrespondenceSocial contact
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 20
Around 50% of respondents had contact with their links at least monthly. A small proportion had contact less than once a year.
22
15
18
19
14
14
13
14
17
13
13
15
21
16
20
19
32
29
28
30
36
32
35
34
33
33
30
32
30
33
37
32
39
46
42
42
40
42
42
41
41
41
48
42
36
39
33
36
5
7
8
6
6
8
4
6
6
9
7
7
10
9
9
9
3
3
4
3
4
2
6
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
3
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
2019 n=514
2018 n=383
2016 n=137
Total n=1034
2019 n=407
2018 n=311
2016 n=113
Total n=831
2019 n=254
2018 n=191
2016 n=71
Total n=516
2019 n=157
2018 n=124
2016 n=46
Total n=327
Link
1Li
nk 2
Link
3Li
nk 4
Frequency of contact % respondents
Weekly Monthly A few times a year Once a year Less than once a year
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 21
Fifty-five percent of respondents had travelled since completing their NCP experience / scholarship—considerably lower than in the 2018 surveys—while 11% had travelled to their host location and 28% had travelled to another Indo-Pacific location. Note that multiple answers were allowed to this question.
11
28
35
45
16
38
46
29
23
36
38
30
15
33
40
37
0 10 20 30 40 50
To my host location
To another Indo-Pacificlocation
Other locations
No overseas travel
Travelled since NCP experience / scholarship Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in legend
2019 n=710 2018 n=586 2016 n=182 Total n=1478
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 22
The Alumni Program
The following sections relate to events, professional development offerings and other opportunities that NCP alumni might be interested in as part of an ongoing alumni program.
Useful elements of the NCP Alumni Program Sixty-three percent of respondents indicated that job or work opportunities would be the most useful to them as part of the NCP Alumni Program. Professional development opportunities (57%) and professional networking (56%) were also popular elements. Refer to the chart below.
63
57
56
31
31
25
2
64
60
57
28
24
26
3
67
54
57
36
21
30
0
64
58
56
30
27
26
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Job or work placementopportunities
Professional developmentopportunities
Professional networking
Social networking
Opportunities to give backto the network
(mentoring, training,program development)
Access to mentors
Other
Most useful elements of the NCP Alumni Program Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in legend Respondents could select up to three elements
2019 n=702 2018 n=571 2016 n=181 Total n=1454
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 23
NCP alumni events Ten percent indicated that they had attended an NCP alumni event.
Forty-seven percent indicated they would likely attend an NCP alumni event.
10
85
4
12
82
6
29
70
1
13
82
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Unsure
Attended NCP event % respondents
2019 n=705 2018 n=579 2016 n=182 Total n=1466
47
18
35
46
13
41
64
12
24
49
15
36
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Yes
No
Unsure
Likelihood of attending an NCP event % respondents
2019 n=706 2018 n=579 2016 n=181 Total n=1466
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 24
Consistent with results from earlier rounds, respondents were most interested in job / work placement opportunities (73%) at NCP alumni events, followed by professional networking (68%) and learning (58%).
73
68
58
44
40
1
74
70
59
40
32
1
79
74
65
51
38
0
74
69
59
43
36
1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Job / work placementopportunities
Professional networking
Learning (presentations,training, etc)
Social networking
Opportunities to give backto the network (event
coordination,…
Other
Elements of most interest at NCP Alumni Program events Multiple answers allowed so total >%; % based on n count in legend
2019 n=687 2018 n=571 2016 n=178 Total n=1436
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 25
NCP alumni or advocacy activities NCP alumni are welcome to participate in a number of alumni or advocacy activities after the conclusion of their program. The chart below shows the proportion of alumni responding to the survey that participated in one or more of these activities. Social networking with other NCP students attracted 46% of respondents. Around a quarter of alumni had participated in each of other activities surveyed.
24
19
23
22
25
21
29
24
15
14
16
15
23
18
27
22
26
25
34
27
46
44
61
47
76
81
77
78
75
79
71
76
85
86
84
85
77
82
73
78
74
75
66
73
54
56
39
53
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2019 n=698
2018 n=571
2016 n=175
Total n=1444
2019 n=699
2018 n=571
2016 n=177
Total n=1447
2019 n=681
2018 n=545
2016 n=169
Total n=1395
2019 n=698
2018 n=569
2016 n=177
Total n=1444
2019 n=699
2018 n=570
2016 n=177
Total n=1446
2019 n=700
2018 n=568
2016 n=178
Total n=1446
A job
pla
cem
ent
with
a bu
sine
ss o
ror
gani
satio
nas
soci
ated
with
the
NCP
Men
toring
/tra
inin
g of
othe
r N
CP
stud
ents
prio
r to
the
irde
part
ure
Oth
er a
ctiv
ity
Pres
enta
tions
and
trai
ning
ses
sion
sas
soci
ated
with
an
NCP
Alu
mni
eve
nt
Prof
essi
onal
netw
orki
ngas
soci
ated
with
an
NCP
Alu
mni
eve
nt
Soc
ial n
etw
orki
ngw
ith o
ther
NCP
stud
ents
NCP alumni / advocacy activities participated in Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in y axis
% Participated % DK / NA
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 26
Sixty-eight percent of respondents who participated in mentoring/training of other NCP students prior to their departure found the exercise very or somewhat useful for their career so far. Similarly, 62% of those who participated in social networking with other NCP students and 66% of those who did a job placement with a business or organisation associated with NCP found the exercise very or somewhat useful. Refer to the chart below.
27
23
25
26
27
26
21
26
28
26
28
27
39
32
44
37
31
31
37
32
28
20
22
24
33
34
33
34
35
28
49
35
34
33
32
34
27
28
27
27
37
31
35
34
35
47
41
40
31
28
35
30
28
33
26
29
30
32
35
32
16
20
17
18
19
26
23
22
24
20
33
24
9
14
7
11
9
14
4
10
8
8
5
8
18
20
12
18
13
11
6
11
13
13
4
12
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=182
2018 n=145
2016 n=60
Total n=387
2019 n=164
2018 n=101
2016 n=47
Total n=312
2019 n=319
2018 n=252
2016 n=109
Total n=680
2019 n=165
2018 n=109
2016 n=41
Total n=315
2019 n=178
2018 n=118
2016 n=52
Total n=348
2019 n=103
2018 n=76
2016 n=27
Total n=206
Prof
essi
onal
netw
orki
ngas
soci
ated
with
an
NCP
Alu
mni
eve
nt
Pres
enta
tions
and
trai
ning
ses
sion
sas
soci
ated
with
an
NCP
Alu
mni
eve
nt
Soc
ial n
etw
orki
ngw
ith o
ther
NCP
stud
ents
A job
pla
cem
ent
with
a b
usin
ess
oror
gani
satio
nas
soci
ated
with
the
NCP
Men
toring
/tra
inin
gof
oth
er N
CP
stud
ents
prior
to
thei
r de
part
ure
Oth
er a
ctiv
ity
Usefulness of NCP alumni / advocacy activities for career % respondents; n count varies by activity
Very useful Somewhat useful A little useful Not at all useful
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 27
Online NCP alumni events
Thirty-two percent of alumni answered that they would be likely to participate in an NCP online event while 33% indicated that they would not participate.
Of those who answered the follow up question about elements of most interest in online events, job / work placement opportunities (63%), learning (63%) and professional networking (52%) were the three main areas.
32
33
35
31
30
40
37
33
30
32
32
36
0 10 20 30 40 50
Yes
No
Unsure
Likelihood of participating in NCP alumni online events % respondents
2019 n=710 2018 n=580 2016 n=178 Total n=1468
63
63
52
34
29
1
65
64
54
31
24
2
65
65
53
42
25
1
64
64
53
34
26
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Job / work placementopportunities
Learning (presentations,training, etc)
Professional networking
Social networking
Opportunities to give backto the network by
supporting the…
Other
Elements of most interest in NCP Alumni Program online events Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in legend
2019 n=643 2018 n=549 2016 n=173 Total n=1365
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 28
Professional development activities of interest
Working across or with different cultures (65%), access to leaders in their field of study (62%) and leadership / management skills (51%) were the three professional development of most interest in an NCP alumni program. Multiple answered were allowed to this question.
NCP alumni LinkedIn group Sixteen percent of respondents answered that they were members of the NCP Alumni LinkedIn group—a declining number since the survey commenced.
65
62
51
47
40
39
38
31
2
62
62
55
48
43
39
41
33
3
0
0
75
57
64
1
56
54
56
49
43
42
34
33
2
0 20 40 60 80 100
Working across or withdifferent cultures^
Access to leaders in yourfield of study^
Leadership andmanagement skills
Networking skills
Foreign policy and traderelations in the Indo-Pacific
Communication skills
Humanitarian policydevelopment^
Business skills
Other
Professional development area of most interest in NCP Alumni Program Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n count in legend ^indicates new item in 2018
2019 n=674 2018 n=563 2016 n=177 Total n=1414
16
75
9
23
66
11
42
45
13
22
68
10
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Unsure
Member of the NCP Alumni LinkedIn group % respondents
2019 n=710 2018 n=582 2016 n=178 Total n=1470
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 29
Of the alumni who belong to the NCP LinkedIn alumni group, 42% found event information useful (17% very useful and 25% useful), while 41% found news articles useful (15% very useful and 26% useful).
In some cases up more than 50% of alumni did not read or did not know about particular resources available at the LinkedIn group. For example 21% of alumni did not read and 30% did not know about discussion forums available in the group. Refer to the chart below.
10
9
7
9
14
7
12
10
11
5
4
7
17
14
16
16
15
12
8
12
15
15
11
14
21
17
13
18
16
20
20
19
14
17
13
15
25
26
17
23
26
26
21
25
19
16
19
18
21
22
28
23
17
24
15
19
16
21
17
19
12
21
20
18
21
21
27
23
15
18
20
18
6
5
7
6
10
7
11
9
8
5
11
7
6
3
7
5
6
6
4
6
9
8
7
8
21
20
29
23
17
14
24
18
21
20
25
22
18
15
20
17
15
17
24
18
15
15
20
16
21
27
16
22
26
27
19
25
30
33
29
31
22
20
20
21
17
18
16
17
27
27
24
27
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=117
2019 n=132
2019 n=75
2019 n=324
2019 n=117
2019 n=132
2019 n=75
2019 n=324
2019 n=117
2019 n=132
2019 n=75
2019 n=324
2019 n=117
2019 n=132
2019 n=75
2019 n=324
2019 n=117
2019 n=132
2019 n=75
2019 n=324
2019 n=117
2019 n=132
2019 n=75
2019 n=324
Alu
mni
pro
files
Con
nect
ions
to
othe
r al
umni
Dis
cuss
ion
foru
ms
Even
t in
form
atio
nN
ews
artic
les
Prof
essi
onal
oppo
rtun
ities
Usefulness of NCP alumni LinkedIn articles and resources % respondents; n count as shown in y axis
Very useful Useful Somewhat useful Not useful Don't read Don't know about it
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 30
Australia Global Alumni Network Seventy-eight percent of respondents were not members of the Australia Global Alumni Network while 16% were unsure. Refer to the chart below.
6
78
16
10
72
18
16
49
35
9
72
19
0 20 40 60 80 100
Yes
No
Not sure
Member of the Australia Global Alumni Network % respondents
2019 n=708 2018 n=572 2016 n=174 Total n=1454
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 31
Of the small proportion of respondents who indicated that they were members of the Australia Global Alumni Network, 24% found the event information on the site useful (11% very useful and 13% somewhat useful). Twenty-four percent found professional opportunities useful (11% very useful and 13% somewhat useful), and 28% found news articles useful (13% very useful and 15% useful).
Note that a very high proportion of Australia Global Alumni Network members have not read or did not know about the various resources available (50% or more for each of the resources). Refer to the chart below.
11
6
15
10
11
6
7
8
11
5
7
7
11
15
19
14
13
8
15
11
11
11
15
12
11
11
19
13
9
11
26
13
9
5
19
9
13
11
19
13
15
13
22
15
13
11
15
12
11
16
11
13
13
8
11
10
9
13
15
12
11
8
15
10
11
13
7
11
11
8
15
10
9
2
7
5
9
3
4
5
11
3
4
6
15
4
6
9
4
4
11
4
4
38
42
37
40
36
49
41
43
38
51
44
45
32
45
33
38
32
43
41
39
32
44
37
39
21
23
11
20
23
22
11
20
23
24
11
21
19
21
11
18
21
24
11
20
23
25
15
23
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=47
2018 n=62
2016 n=27
Total n=136
2019 n=47
2018 n=63
2016 n=27
Total n=137
2019 n=47
2018 n=63
2016 n=27
Total n=137
2019 n=47
2018 n=62
2016 n=27
Total n=136
2019 n=47
2018 n=63
2016 n=27
Total n=137
2019 n=47
2018 n=63
2016 n=27
Total n=137
Alu
mni
pro
files
Con
nect
ions
to
othe
ral
umni
Dis
cuss
ion
foru
ms
Even
t in
form
atio
nN
ews
artic
les
Prof
essi
onal
oppo
rtun
ities
Usefulness Australia Global Alumni Network information and resources % respondents
Very useful Somewhat useful A little useful Not useful Haven't used Don't know about it
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 32
Preferred communication channel for NCP alumni information For 85% of respondents, email was the preferred channel for receiving alumni program information. Only one answer was allowed for this question.
Mentoring Thirty-seven percent of respondents would be willing to be a mentor for an NCP student or alumnus. Thirty-six percent answered maybe (possibly implying a dependence on what the commitment would require).
Twenty percent of respondents indicated that they or their organisation would be interested in more information about the NCP Internship and Mentoring Network, Mobility Partners Program or ways to get involved with and support the NCP; 21% indicated maybe. Refer to the chart below.
85
5
6
2
0
1
86
9
2
2
0
0
88
8
1
2
1
0
86
7
4
2
0
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
New Colombo Plan AlumniGroup on LinkedIn
Letter
Australian GovernmentGlobal Alumni Portal
Other
Most preferred method of receiving information about the NCP Alumni Program % respondents
2019 n=699 2018 n=575 2016 n=177 Total n=1451
37
27
36
35
21
44
50
15
36
37
23
39
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Yes
No
Maybe
Willingness to be a mentor for an NCP student or alumnus % respondents
2019 n=707 2018 n=578 2016 n=177 Total n=1462
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 33
Benefits of the NCP experience
A number of positive benefits the NCP alumni had gained from their NCP experience aligned with the strategic objectives of the program. These aligned benefits related to strengthening understanding, connections and work readiness of NCP alumni to businesses and institutions within the Indo-Pacific region. Refer to the table below and the accompanying chart underneath.
There were significant differences between mobility students and scholars for three of the six measures, with scholars more likely overall to rate the items positively. Note that the sample size of scholars was very small (n=34). Men were significantly more likely to rate the item I am more likely to seek out work relating to the Indo-Pacific region positively than women. There were no significant differences between indigenous / non-indigenous status. Refer to the appendix in this report.
Objective Measure % positive
(Strongly agree or agree)
Lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by increasing the number of Australian undergraduate students undertaking study and Internships in the region
I gained useful knowledge and understanding of my host location(s)
96%
Deepen Australia’s people-to-people and institutional relationships with the region, through the engagement of students, universities, businesses and other stakeholder networks in the Program
I gained personal connections that have helped in my career
51%
I gained cross cultural skills that have helped in my career
86%
Establish study in the Indo-Pacific as a rite of passage for Australian undergraduate students, and as an endeavour that is highly valued by the Australian community
Increase the number of work-ready Australian graduates with regional experience.
I am confident in my ability to engage with people in the Indo-Pacific region
86%
I gained professional experience that has helped in my career
74%
I am more likely to seek out work relating to the Indo-Pacific region
72%
20
59
21
19
67
14
18
69
13
19
64
17
0 20 40 60 80
Yes
No
Maybe
Interest in receiving more information on the NCP Internship and Mentoring Network & NCP Mobility Partners Program % respondents
2019 n=403 2018 n=346 2016 n=94 Total n=843
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 34
45
42
43
44
38
37
40
38
51
48
48
50
23
20
27
22
35
36
33
35
63
62
66
63
41
40
44
41
34
34
43
35
35
38
40
37
28
28
31
28
39
36
35
37
33
35
30
34
11
15
9
12
19
19
10
18
9
10
7
9
28
27
25
27
16
16
22
17
3
3
2
3
2
4
6
5
11
13
11
12
4
7
3
5
2
2
3
5
3
5
3
8
5
8
5
3
6
4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=704
2018 n=583
2016 n=176
Total n=1463
2019 n=706
2018 n=580
2016 n=176
Total n=1462
2019 n=705
2018 n=581
2016 n=176
Total n=1462
2019 n=706
2018 n=582
2016 n=175
Total n=1463
2019 n=704
2018 n=582
2016 n=176
Total n=1462
2019 n=705
2018 n=583
2016 n=176
Total n=1464
I am
con
fiden
t in
my
abili
ty t
oen
gage
with
peop
le in
the
Indo
-Pac
ific
regi
on
I am
mor
e lik
ely
to s
eek
out
wor
kre
latin
g to
the
Indo
-Pac
ific
regi
on
I ga
ined
cro
sscu
ltura
l ski
lls t
hat
have
hel
ped
in m
yca
reer
I ga
ined
per
sona
lco
nnec
tions
tha
tha
ve h
elpe
d in
my
care
er
I ga
ined
prof
essi
onal
expe
rien
ce t
hat
has
help
ed in
my
care
er
I ga
ined
use
ful
know
ledg
e an
dun
ders
tand
ing
ofm
y ho
stlo
catio
n(s)
Agreement with statements about personal gains from NCP % respondents; % based on n counts in y axis
Strongly agree Agree Part agree / part disagreeDisagree Strongly disagree Don't know
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 35
Comments on the most valuable elements of NCP There were many elements of their NCP program that respondents found valuable. Refer to table below.
Improved cross cultural skills / awareness / understanding of the host country (ies) culture (34%) and building relationships and networks (33%) were the two most valuable aspects of the NCP program. Some respondents indicated that their contacts continued to be very worthwhile in obtaining work, references, advice, collaboration and personal support to help achieve their goals.
“The whole experience has influenced me a lot and made me love living in Asia. It has made me much more open to other cultures and ways of life. I think the most valuable element was the exposure itself and the skills that naturally
come from living in a new society. My whole future career path has now changed to where I would like to work in Asia, and it has opened up my favourite area of study of Asian politics and history which I study in depth at uni.”
“The entire NCP experience was valuable. It increased my cultural awareness and helped to establish connections and develop skills that have since proven invaluable both in my career and life in general. These kinds of experiences are
strong developmental experiences that, in an ideal world, every student would take part in.”
“I think the single most valuable element of the NCP program would have to be the opportunity to undertake internships. It gave me real world experience in an Indo-Pacific context. I created life-long professional and personal
connections. I will cherish these memories forever.”
“The NCP expanded my horizons. I am now a more confident and creative person. I learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of and has broadened my scope of professional opportunities.”
“The most valuable elements of my program were being able to further develop my linguistic abilities in a real-world context and involve myself in the rich culture and society that Indonesia offers.”
Objective % respondents
n=463^
Improved cross cultural skills / awareness / understanding 34
Built relationships and networks 33
Work experience 11
Increased confidence / independence / feel more relaxed / in control / able to step out of comfort zone
10
Improved host country language skills 8
Helped determine future career goals / know what I'm suited to 8
Look good on resume / attractive to potential employers / helped me get employment / more professional work
8
Improved / gained professional skills / professional development 8
Contributed to my academic activity / expanded knowledge or skills in field of study 6
Given a view of how an industry / organisation operated in another place and compared with Australia
6
Desire to / consider work or study in Indo-Pacific region 6
Enabled / opportunity to travel / work / study / live abroad 6
Widened perspective, more global, open minded, accepting of others' views 5
Deeper understanding of industry / organisation / field of study challenges in host country / region
5
^Only categories with 5% or more responses displayed in table, 2019 results only
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 36
Promoting the NCP
One way in which NCP alumni respondents may demonstrate their positive attitude towards and sense of value of the NCP program is through recommending and actively promoting the NCP program to Australian students and organisations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The vast majority (90%) of respondents indicated that they recommended the program to Australian students either frequently or occasionally, 77% actively promoted the program frequently or occasionally and similarly, and 74% encouraged non-NCP friends, family and colleagues to take an interest in or to develop links with the Indo-Pacific region including their host country frequently or occasionally. Refer to the chart below.
Sixty-six percent of all NCP alumni respondents indicated they were willing to promote the NCP program in some way and most commonly this was through providing promotional photos (43% of those who answered the question), mentoring NCP students (38%) speaking at schools/unis (37%) and helping with pre-departure briefings (36%). Refer to the chart below. Note that the answer options for this question were changed in last round of surveying and no previous round comparisons are available as the question was presented differently.
26
22
32
25
45
42
47
44
18
13
15
15
35
29
0
33
51
51
41
50
46
49
40
46
19
21
18
20
39
44
0
41
23
27
27
25
10
9
13
10
63
66
67
65
26
27
26
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2019 n=686
2018 n=580
2016 n=172
Total n=1438
2019 n=684
2018 n=579
2016 n=172
Total n=1435
2019 n=684
2018 n=581
2016 n=172
Total n=1437
2019 n=685
2018 n=580
2016^
Total n=1265
I ac
tivel
y pr
omot
eth
e N
CP
prog
ram
I re
com
men
d th
epr
ogra
m t
oAus
tral
ian
stud
ents
I re
com
men
ded
the
prog
ram
to
orga
nisa
tions
in t
heIn
do-P
acifi
c re
gion
I en
cour
age
non-
NCP
frie
nds,
fam
ilyan
d co
lleag
ues
tota
ke a
n in
tere
st in
/de
velo
p lin
ks w
ithIn
do-P
acifi
c re
gion
incl
hos
t co
untr
y^
Promoting NCP program % respondents ^indicates new item in 2018
Yes, frequently Yes, occasionally Do not do this
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 37
43
38
37
36
32
27
26
25
24
21
15
15
1
34
0 10 20 30 40 50
Providing / being subject of photographs usedfor promo
Mentoring NCP students
Speaking at schools / universities
Helping with pre-departure briefings
Media interviews
Writing an article or blog
Promoting NCP at conferences / events
Speaking at NCP events
Video interviews
Promoting NCP through another organisation
Organising events for NCP alumni in localarea
Establishing NCP / Indo-Pacific alumnichapter / club at uni or in own state
Other
I do not wish to participate in promotionalactivities at this time
Activities willing to participate in to promote NCP program Multiple answers allowed so total >100%; % based on n=510 Answer options changed in 2019
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 38
Appendix
Benefits of the NCP experience by demographics The below tables show the benefits NCP alumni had gained from their NCP program aligned with the strategic objectives of the program, broken by type of alumni, gender and their indigenous status.
There were significant differences between mobility students and scholars for three of the six measures (see the bold numbers in the table below). Scholars were more likely overall to rate the positively. Note the sample size of scholars was very small (n=34).
Objective Measure
% positive % positive Mobility students n=677
Scholars n=34^
Lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by increasing the number of Australian undergraduate students undertaking study and Internships in the region
I gained useful knowledge and understanding of my host location(s)
96.0 100.0
Deepen Australia’s people-to-people and institutional relationships with the region, through the engagement of students, universities, businesses and other stakeholder networks in the Program
I gained personal connections that have helped in my career
49.3 82.4
I gained cross cultural skills that have helped in my career
86.1 91.2
Establish study in the Indo-Pacific as a rite of passage for Australian undergraduate students, and as an endeavour that is highly valued by the Australian community
Increase the number of work-ready Australian graduates with regional experience.
I am confident in my ability to engage with people in the Indo-Pacific region
85.4 97.1
I gained professional experience that has helped in my career
72.7 94.1
I am more likely to seek out work relating to the Indo-Pacific region
71.1 94.1
^Please note: Small sample size, results indicative only, bold numbers indicate a statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y3 2019| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 39
Only one item was significantly different between male and female students (in bold).
Objective Measure % positive % positive
Female n=419
Male n=291
Lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by increasing the number of Australian undergraduate students undertaking study and Internships in the region
I gained useful knowledge and understanding of my host location(s)
96.4 95.9
Deepen Australia’s people-to-people and institutional relationships with the region, through the engagement of students, universities, businesses and other stakeholder networks in the Program
I gained personal connections that have helped in my career
47.7 55.2
I gained cross cultural skills that have helped in my career
86.3 86.5
Establish study in the Indo-Pacific as a rite of passage for Australian undergraduate students, and as an endeavour that is highly valued by the Australian community
Increase the number of work-ready Australian graduates with regional experience.
I am confident in my ability to engage with people in the Indo-Pacific region
84.3 88.2
I gained professional experience that has helped in my career
73.1 74.5
I am more likely to seek out work relating to the Indo-Pacific region
68.9 76.9
There were no significant differences between students from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background compared to those who weren’t from that background.
Objective Measure
% positive % + positive
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait
Islander n=10^
Not Aboriginal
and/or Torres Strait
Islander n=478
Lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by increasing the number of Australian undergraduate students undertaking study and Internships in the region
I gained useful knowledge and understanding of my host location(s)
100.0 96.4
Deepen Australia’s people-to-people and institutional relationships with the region, through the engagement of students, universities, businesses and other stakeholder networks in the Program
I gained personal connections that have helped in my career
66.7 48.5
I gained cross cultural skills that have helped in my career
100.0 85.4
Establish study in the Indo-Pacific as a rite of passage for Australian undergraduate students, and as an endeavour that is highly valued by the Australian community
Increase the number of work-ready Australian graduates with regional experience.
I am confident in my ability to engage with people in the Indo-Pacific region
88.9 86.0
I gained professional experience that has helped in my career
100.0 72.3
I am more likely to seek out work relating to the Indo-Pacific region
66.7 69.7
^Please note: Small sample size, results indicative only