Meet the inaugural 2026 Westpac Australia‑Asia Fellows
Westpac Scholars Trust has announced 35 university students as the inaugural 2026 Westpac Australia-Asia Fellows, marking the launch of a new national fellowship investing in the next generation of leaders shaping Australia’s relationship with the region.
The Australia-Asia Fellowship supports emerging leaders who are building deep regional understanding and capability at a time when Australia’s future prosperity and security are increasingly tied to the Asia-Pacific. Awarded annually as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to supporting 100 scholars each year, the fellowship will help build a pipeline of leaders equipped to navigate complex regional dynamics and shape a stronger future for Australia.
The 2026 Fellows represent a diverse cohort of students studying disciplines including international relations, economics, public health, engineering, technology and social sciences, united by a commitment to strengthening Australia’s engagement with Asia.
Through the nine-month experience, participants will undertake an intensive leadership development program and travel across Southeast Asia, gaining first-hand insight into the economic, political and cultural dynamics shaping the Asia-Pacific community.
Westpac Scholars Trust CEO Amy Lyden said the fellowship reflects the importance of investing in Australians who are building the relationships, knowledge and cultural understanding needed to navigate a rapidly changing region.
“Australia’s future is inseparable from our neighbours in the Asia-Pacific. The economic, cultural and political ties between us will shape the opportunities and challenges our country faces over the coming decades,” Lyden said.
“Programs like the Australia-Asia Fellowship are about building the capability to navigate that future. These Fellows are developing the cultural understanding, networks and leadership skills needed to work across borders, disciplines and perspectives.
“The leaders Australia needs in the future won’t just be experts in one field. They’ll be people who can connect ideas, cultures and communities, and build relationships that go beyond national borders.”
Over the course of the program, the Fellows will participate in two leadership development residentials across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, engaging with regional leaders across government, industry, academia and civil society.
They will also join the Westpac Scholars Network, connecting them with more than 1,000 scholars supported by the Trust across research, innovation, social change and regional leadership.
2026 WESTPAC AUSTRALIA-ASIA FELLOWSHIP – AT A GLANCE
● 35 fellows selected nationwide
● Students from 13 Australian universities
● Nine-month leadership development program
● Leadership residentials across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam
● Focus on building Australia’s Asia-capability and cross-cultural leadership
● Access to the Westpac Scholars Network and Scholars Summit
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 WESTPAC AUSTRALIA-ASIA FELLOWS
Learn more about the 2026 Fellows at scholars.westpac.com.au/scholars/our-scholars