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New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016 | Produced by Australian Survey Research
DFAT
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1
Report of survey findings
December 2016
Australian Survey Research Pty Ltd 258 Centre Road Bentleigh 3204
Level 3, 22 Darley Road | PO Box 807 Manly NSW 1655 | T 03 9557 4211 | F 03 9557 4311 | E [email protected] www.aussurveys.com
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016 | Produced by Australian Survey Research
Table of contents
Executive summary 1
Introduction 5
Methodology 5
Data collection 5 Participant profile 6
Key findings 9
Future plans 9 NCP experience /scholarship influence on career 9 NCP contacts and links 10 The alumni program 11 Mentoring 17 Benefits of the NCP experience 18 Promoting NCP 20
Observations/recommendations 22
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.
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 1
Executive summary
Australian Survey Research Group (ASR) was commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to
develop a survey for New Colombo Plan (NCP) Alumni.
This report presents the results of the first Alumni survey which as administered to NCP Scholars and Mobility students
that participated in round 2014. At least one year should have elapsed from the completion time of their program and
receipt of an NCP Alumni survey invitation.
Sample and response rates
ASR administered an online survey to 1,324 NCP Alumni. DFAT supplied a list of NCP program participants and their
email contact details. Each participant received an invitation email containing a unique link to a web survey.
The table below outlines the invitations sent, completions and email bounce backs.
Sample Email
invitations count
Completions count
Bounce-backs count
Response rate %
NCP Alumni 1,324 197 97 16
General demographics
The ratio of female to male responses was roughly 60/40. Most commonly, NCP Alumni undertook their
program in either Indonesia (41%) or Japan (37%).
Only one respondent identified as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and six respondents identified as
having a disability, representing 0.5% and 3% of total respondents, respectively.
Nearly two thirds (63%) of respondents had an honours or an undergraduate degree as their highest level of
education. Notably, just under one quarter (24%) of respondents had year 12 as their highest level of
education.
Just over half (52%) of respondents were studying and/or employed. Around one in seven (15%) alumni
were looking for work and one in eight (12%) were undertaking postgraduate studies.
Among the proportion of alumni who were studying, the vast majority (86%) were studying at undergraduate
level and 11% were undertaking some form of post graduate study. Refer to the chart below.
Of the 52% of Alumni that were employed, including an additional 7% that do volunteer work, 42% believed
their NCP experience / scholarship helped them get their current job.
One in eight (13%) of alumni that were employed (paid or unpaid) indicated they manage staff.
Future plans
Alumni were asked what their plans were over the next five years. Nearly 3 in 5 respondents (59%) indicated they
intend to undertake further study while just over half (51%) wanted to seek employment in Australia, 41% wanted to
seek work overseas in the Indo-Pacific region and just under one third (31%) intended to seek work elsewhere
overseas.
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 2
NCP contacts and links
The majority (83%) of NCP Alumni reported that their NCP contacts enhanced their understanding and connections to
the Indo Pacific region to a great (53%) or moderate (30%) extent. Three in five alumni 61% believed their study
opportunities / outcomes were enhanced greatly (29%) or moderately (32%) and just over half (52%) reported their
employment prospects / outcomes were enhanced by their contacts greatly or moderately (26% for each).
Useful elements of the Alumni program
Two thirds (67%) of alumni indicated that job or work opportunities would be the most useful to them as part of the
NCP Alumni program. Professional networking (57%) and professional development opportunities (54%) are also
popular elements. Refer to the chart below.
One in five (21%) alumni are willing to act as a mentor, deliver training or participate in program development.
Attendance at NCP Alumni events and likely future attendance/participation
Overall, 29% of alumni have been to an NCP Alumni event (not shown). The vast majority (88%) of those that have
been to an event are likely to attend (another) event whereas 12% were unsure.
Professional networking (83%), Job / Work placement opportunities (80%) and Learning (presentations, training, etc.)
(68%) were the top three main areas interest to alumni that indicated they were likely to attend an NCP Alumni event.
Overall, only 4% of alumni have participated in NCP Alumni online events such as Facebook Live session or webinars.
Over one third (36%) of those that have not been to an event indicated they were likely to attend (another) event
whereas 30% were unsure. Networking (67%), employment (58%) and learning opportunities (73%) were also of
main interest indicated by respondents who indicated they would participate in future online events.
53
29
26
30
32
26
9
23
27
5
12
16
2
3
5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Understanding and connections to the Indo-Pacific region(n=137)
Study opportunities/outcomes (n=137)
Employment prospects/outcomes (n=137)
To what extent has your NCP contacts / links you have maintained enhanced your ...% respondents, n=variable, refer to chart
To a great extent To a moderate extent To a minor extent Not at all Not sure
67
57
54
36
30
21
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Job or work placement opportunities
Professional networking
Professional development opportunities
Social networking
Access to mentors
To give back to the network by acting as a mentor, deliveringtraining or participating in program development
What elements would be most useful for you as part of the NCP Alumni program?Respondents selected their top three
% respondents n=181
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 3
Professional development as part of the Alumni program
NCP Alumni are keen to have leadership and management skills (75%) as part of an alumni professional development
program. Not surprisingly this is followed by development of communication skills (64%).
Participation in other NCP Alumni groups
LinkedIn
Under half (45%) of NCP Alumni were members of the NCP Alumni LinkedIn group.
Of the alumni that belong to the NCP LinkedIn Alumni Group one third (33%) found event information useful (16%
very, useful 17%) and just under one third (32%) found connections to other alumni useful (12% very, 20% useful).
However up to 54% of group participants either did not read or weren’t aware of the information available.
Australia Global Alumni
A very large proportion of NCP Alumni respondents (84%) were not members (49%) or were unsure whether they
were members (35%) of the Australia Global Alumni Network.
Of the small proportion of NCP Alumni that were members of the Australia Global Alumni Network, 37% found the
news articles on the site very useful (15%) or useful (22%). Event information (38% [19% Very useful, 19% useful]),
access to alumni profiles (34% [15% very useful, 19% useful]) and connections to other alumni (33% [7% very
useful, 26% useful]). Again a large proportion of members (up to 55%) either haven’t used or aren’t aware about
information available.
Benefits of the NCP experience
There were a number of positive benefits the NCP Alumni had gained from their NCP program that aligns with the
strategic objectives of the program that relate to strengthening understanding, connections and work readiness of NCP
Alumni to businesses and institutions within the Indo-Pacific region. Refer to the chart below.
75
64
58
57
40
1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Leadership and management skills
Communication skills
Foreign policy and trade
Networking skills
Business skills
Other
What areas of professional development would be of most interest to you as part of an NCP Alumni program?% respondents n=177
66
48
43
40
33
27
30
40
44
43
35
31
2
7
9
10
22
25
2
3
11
2
5
3
5
6
5
0 20 40 60 80 100
I gained useful knowledge and understanding of my hostlocation(s)
I gained cross cultural skills that have helped in my career
I am confident in my ability to engage with people in the Indo-Pacific region
I am more likely to seek out work relating to the Indo-Pacificregion
I gained professional experience that has helped in my career
I gained personal connections that have helped in my career
Indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements about what you gained from your NCP program?
% respondents n=176
Strongly agree Agree Part agree / part disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Don't know
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 4
The most valuable elements of NCP
Then table below shows the top four elements of the NCP program most valued by NCP Alumni.
Networking (46%), cultural understanding (44%) a broadened more global perspective (35%) and obtaining practical
real world work skills and experience (23%) were top of the list.
Top 4 - What were the most valuable elements of your program?
% Total
mentions
(n=95)
Building networks/business contacts that proved helpful/academics/fellow students/new
lifelong friends/teachers/colleagues 46
Gaining an understanding of the host country(ies) culture/regional culture/cultural activities 44
Obtained a global perspective/wider view/more open minded/accepting of other points of
view/other ways of doing things/opened my eyes 35
Gained work/practical/skills in industry area/how business runs in host country compared to
Australia/real world experience 23
Promoting NCP
NCP Alumni are enthusiastic about the benefits of the program and are willing to promote it further.
The vast majority (87%) of respondents recommend the program to Australian students frequently (47%) or
occasionally (40%). Nearly three quarters (73%) actively promote the program frequently (32%) or occasionally
(41%) and one third (33%) recommend the program to organisations in the Indo-Pacific region frequently (15%) or
occasionally (18%).
Just over half (52%) of all NCP Alumni respondents indicated they were willing to speak at schools, universities,
conferences and events to promote the NCP program. Mentoring is a preference almost half (49%) of respondents and
41% are willing to help with pre-departure briefings. Refer to the chart below.
52
49
41
37
36
31
19
29
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Speaking at schools, universities, conferences, events
Mentoring NCP students
Helping with pre-departure briefings
Writing an article or blog
Media opportunities
I do not wish to participate in promotional activities atthis time
Establishing an NCP or indo-pacific alumni chapter or clubat your university or state
Other promotional activities
What activities would you be willing to participate in to promote the NCP program?% respondents n=166
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 5
Introduction
Australian Survey Research Group (ASR) was commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to
develop a survey for New Colombo Plan (NCP) Alumni.
This report presents the results of the first Alumni survey which as administered to NCP Scholars and Mobility students
that participated in round 2014. At least one year should have elapsed from the completion time of their program and
receipt of an NCP Alumni survey invitation.
Methodology
Data collection
Sample and response rates
ASR administered an online survey to 1,324 NCP Alumni. DFAT supplied a list of NCP program participants and their
email contact details. Each participant received an invitation email containing a unique link to a web survey.
The survey was administered from 8 November 2016 to 29 November 2016 allowing for 3 weeks in field. Three
reminder emails were sent at approximately 1 week intervals to participants that had not yet completed the survey. A
final SMS reminder was sent to 859 non-responding alumni with valid mobile phone numbers – this resulted in 20
additional completions before final survey close.
The table below outlines the invitations sent, completions and email bounce backs. The overall response rate was
16%. 173 participants actually completed the survey however there were an additional 24 respondents that partially
completed the survey to a sufficient extent so some of the results could be used, resulting in a total of 197 responses
overall.
Sample Email
invitations count
Completions count
Bounce-backs count
Response rate %
NCP Alumni 1,324 197 97 16
Maximising the response rate in future
Sending alumni invitation emails at the beginning of September of each year would maximise responses. There were
very few email bounces for this survey, indicating that the alumni were not reading their emails. The most likely
reason for this is:
The majority of email addresses were student emails.
The survey fieldwork period took place after the end of the academic year when it is likely that student emails
addresses would not be used.
No alternate private email addresses were available.
ASR recommends that:
Private email addresses be collected as soon as a student is registered for the program, and
Survey fieldwork take place before exam SWOT Vac.
Incentives
No incentives were offered for the completion of the surveys. This was not deemed necessary as the participants had
received a grant to study or undertake a project overseas and the vast majority had very positive experiences during
their program.
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 6
Participant profile
This section provides information on participant profiles based on broad demographics.
General demographics
The ratio of female to male responses was roughly 60/40. Just over half Most NCP Alumni undertook their program in
either Indonesia (41%) or Japan (37%). Refer to the charts below.
Only one respondent identified as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and six respondents identified as having a
disability (representing 0.5% and 3% of total respondents, respectively; not shown).
Nearly two thirds (63%) of respondents had an honours or an undergraduate degree as their highest level of
education. Notably, just under one quarter (24%) of respondents had year 12 as their highest level of education.
63
24
6
2
1
1
3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Undergraduate degree (including honours)
Year 12
Graduate diploma / Certificate
Masters degree
Doctorate
Vocational qualification
Other
What is the highest level of education you have completed?% respondents n=171
37
63
Gender% respondents n=150
Male Female X (indeterminate / unspecified)
41
37
13
9
0 20 40 60
Indonesia
Japan
Singapore
Hong Kong
Primary host country% respondents n=197
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 7
Employment
Just over half (52%) of respondents were studying and/or employed. Around one in seven (15%) alumni were looking
for work and one in eight (12%) were undertaking postgraduate studies. Refer to the chart below.
Of the 52% of Alumni that were employed, including an additional 7% that do volunteer work, 42% believed their NCP
experience / scholarship helped them get their current job.
One in eight (13%) of alumni that were employed (paid or unpaid) indicated they manage staff. Refer to the charts
below.
52
52
15
12
7
3
1
0
1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Studying (undergraduate)
Employed (paid work for an organisation)
Looking for work
Studying (postgraduate)
Voluntary (unpaid) work
Self-employed (paid work for myself)
Unemployed
Full-time carer
Other
What is your current employment status?% respondents n=191
13
87
Do you manage staff?% respondents employed n=98
Yes No
42
42
16
Do you think your NCP experience helped you to get this job?
% respondents employed, n=100
Yes No Not sure
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 8
Study
Among the proportion of alumni were studying, the vast majority (86%) were studying at undergraduate level and
11% were undertaking some form of post graduate study. Refer to the chart below.
86
8
3
1
0
2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Undergraduate degree
Masters degree
Doctorate
Graduate diploma
Vocational qualification
Other
What is your current level of study?% respondents, those studying n=117
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 9
Key findings
The following sections report key finding from survey results.
Future plans
Alumni were asked what their plans were over the next five years. Nearly 3 in 5 respondents (59%) indicated they
intend to undertake further study while just over half (51%) wanted to seek employment in Australia, 41% wanted to
seek work overseas in the Indo-Pacific region and just under one third (31%) intend to seek work elsewhere overseas.
Refer to the chart below.
NCP experience /scholarship influence on career
The NCP experience had a positive influence on the majority of alumni career choices and prospects. Around four in
five respondents (82%) indicated that their NCP experience influenced their career choices to a great (35%) or
moderate (47%) extent. Nearly nine in ten respondents (88%) believed their experience had made a positive
contribution to their career prospects to a great (56%) or moderate (32%) extent. Refer to the chart below.
59
51
42
31
29
27
24
17
16
13
10
3
3
3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Further study
Seek employment in Australia
Seek employment overseas(Indo Pacific Region)
Seek employment overseas (elsewhere)
Seek advancement in current career
Explore a new career path
Continue in current employment
Seek an internship overseas (Indo Pacific Region)
Seek an internship in Australia
Seek an internship overseas (elsewhere)
Start my own business
Continue to work in my own business
Career break
Other
What are your plans for the next five years?% respondents n=188 (multiple choice)
35
56
47
32
10
7
4
2
4
2
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Influenced your career choices (n=186)
Contributed positively to your future career prospects(n=188)
To what extent has your NCP experience / scholarship ...% respondents, n=variable, refer to chart
To a great extent To a moderate extent To a minor extent Not at all Not sure
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 10
NCP contacts and links
NCP Alumni were asked how many links they had maintained with anyone in their host location or anyone they met
through their NCP experience. They were asked to indicate who they considered their four (4) most significant links.
The table below (left) shows the number of significant links maintained by proportion of respondents. 16% of
respondents indicated they had not maintained any significant links while 84% maintained at least one significant link
and 28% had maintained at least four significant links.
The table below (right) shows the links maintained by type; whether professional, academic or personal (friends). Note
that a total of 137 respondents indicated that they had maintained at least one or more significant links. The
classifications for each link was multiple choice, therefore a link could be nominated in up to three classifications. This
is why the total percentages do not add to 100%.
Number of most significant links
maintained (at least)
% Total
n=164
None 16
1 84
2 68
3 44
4 28
Type of link - Row% Total % Professional Academic Personal
Link 1 (n=137) 30 30 59 119
Link 2 (n=111) 22 27 66 114
Link 3 (n=72) 15 31 71 117
Link 4 (n=46) 15 26 76 117
Total (n=137) 23 29 66 118
Analysis showed that professional and academic classifications overlapped with themselves as well as the personal
classification. In other words, aside from a purely academic or professional nature or both, NCP Alumni also regard
many of their professional and academic links as friends.
The majority (83%) of NCP Alumni reported that their NCP contacts enhanced their understanding and connections to
the Indo Pacific region to a great (53%) or moderate (30%) extent. Three in five alumni 61% believed their study
opportunities / outcomes were enhanced greatly (29%) or moderately (32%) and just over half (52%) reported their
employment prospects / outcomes were enhanced by their contacts greatly or moderately (26% for each). Refer to
the chart below.
Notably, 16% of respondents did not believe their contacts enhanced their employment prospects / outcomes and
12% indicated the same for study opportunities / outcomes.
53
29
26
30
32
26
9
23
27
5
12
16
2
3
5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Understanding and connections to the Indo Pacific region(n=137)
Study opportunities/outcomes (n=137)
Employment prospects/outcomes (n=137)
To what extent has your NCP contacts / links you have maintained enhanced your ...% respondents, n=variable, refer to chart
To a great extent To a moderate extent To a minor extent Not at all Not sure
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 11
The alumni program
The following sections relate to a series of questions about what NCP Alumni would be interested in as part of an
alumni program in terms of events, professional development offerings and other opportunities.
Useful elements of the Alumni program
Two thirds (67%) of alumni indicated that job or work opportunities would be the most useful to them as part of the
NCP Alumni program. Professional networking (57%) and professional development opportunities (54%) were also
popular elements. Refer to the chart below.
One in five (21%) alumni are willing to act as a mentor, deliver training or participate in program development.
NCP advocacy activities
NCP Alumni are welcome to participate in a number of advocacy activities after the conclusion of their program. The
chart below shows the proportion of alumni that have participated in one or more of these activities. The activity most
engaged in by 61% of respondents was social networking with other NCP students. This was followed by professional
networking associated with an NCP Alumni event (34%) and mentoring/training of other NCP students prior to their
departure (29%).
67
57
54
36
30
21
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Job or work placement opportunities
Professional networking
Professional development opportunities
Social networking
Access to mentors
To give back to the network by acting as a mentor, deliveringtraining or participating in program development
What elements would be most useful for you as part of the NCP Alumni program?Respondents selected their top three
% respondents n=181
84
77
73
71
66
39
16
23
27
29
34
61
0 20 40 60 80 100
Other activity (n=169)
A job placement with a business or organisation associatedwith the NCP (n=175)
Presentations and training sessions associated with an NCPAlumni event (n=177)
Mentoring/training of other NCP students prior to theirdeparture (n=177)
Professional networking associated with an NCP Alumnievent (n=177)
Social networking with other NCP students (n=178)
Which of the following NCP Alumni or advocacy activities have you been involved with?% respondents, n=variable, refer to chart
% Participated in activity % Don't know / not applicable
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 12
NCP Alumni that participated in advocacy activities found them quite useful to their career plans. For example, close to
three quarters (72%) of NCP Alumni that participated in mentoring/training of other NCP students prior to their
departure found the exercise very useful (37%) or somewhat useful (35%). Refer to the chart below.
Over two in five (44%) NCP Alumni that participated in a job placement with a business or organisation associated
with the NCP found this very useful for their career plans.
Attendance at NCP Alumni events and likely future attendance
Overall 29% of alumni have been to an NCP Alumni event (not shown). The table below shows that 88% of those that
have been to an event are likely to attend (another) event whereas 12% were unsure.
Over half (54%) of alumni that have not been to an alumni event indicated they were likely to attend an event, 29%
were unsure and 17% indicated they would not.
Have you attended a NCP Alumni event?
Would you be likely to attend a NCP Alumni event? Row%
Yes No Unsure Total
Yes (n=52) 88 0 12 100
No (n=127) 54 17 29 100
Unsure (n=2) 50 0 50 100
Total n=181 64 12 24 100
37
44
21
22
28
25
35
27
49
41
32
33
23
17
26
33
35
35
6
12
4
4
5
7
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Mentoring/training of other NCP students prior to theirdeparture
A job placement with a business or organisation associatedwith the NCP
Presentations and training sessions associated with an NCPAlumni event
Other activity
Social networking with other NCP students
Professional networking associated with an NCP Alumni event
Which of the following NCP Alumni or advocacy activities have you been involved with and how useful were they to your career plans?
% respondents participated, n=variable, refer to chart (don't know and not applicable excluded)
Very useful Somewhat useful A little useful Not at all useful
New Colombo Plan Alumni Survey Y1 2016| Produced by Australian Survey Research | 13
NCP Alumni seek networking, employment and learning opportunities. Professional networking (83%), Job / Work
placement opportunities (80%) and Learning (presentations, training, etc.) (68%) were the top three main areas
interest to alumni that indicated they were likely to attend an NCP Alumni event. Refer to the table below.
What elements would be of most interest to you at NCP Alumni Program events? (multi choice)