Honouring a Legacy: ACBC Scholarship Brings Colombian Scholar to Melbourne

Published: 23 October 2025
3 people in a high-vis vest standing in front of the Victorian Tunnelling Centre

The Australia–Colombia Business Council (ACBC) has launched the Mariana Boza Legacy Scholarship to honour one of Colombia’s most influential women in the mining sector and to advance women’s leadership and sustainability skills through specialised training in Australia. The initiative forms part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Colombia, celebrating the growing depth and diversity of bilateral cooperation.

Facilitated by the Study Melbourne team in Latin America, the initiative secured Holmesglen Institute as the education partner. The inaugural scholar, Eliana Katherine Molina, arrived in Melbourne in September and is completing a 3-month specialised training program at Holmesglen’s Victorian Tunnelling Centre, running through December 2025. The program will allow her to develop advanced skills in leadership, innovation, and sustainable mining practices in one of Australia’s leading applied-technical training environments.

As I approach the halfway point of this fascinating journey, my time in Melbourne has been nothing short of extraordinary. The city itself has a captivating energy, a palpable sense of being alive and vibrant, much like the best of my beloved, Colombia. This dynamism is reflected in its stunning architecture, a beautiful marriage of stately heritage buildings and bold, innovative structures. Melbourne's globally diverse character is exhilarating, enriched by a wonderfully entrenched Asian culture that creates a tapestry of truly unique experiences. Crucially, for my academic development, the facilities at Holmesglen TAFE and the Victorian Tunnelling Centre are simply mind-blowing: the way they combine the gritty, authentic environment of a full-scale underground mine or tunnel replica with immersive virtual reality training is revolutionary, allowing me to experience the whole sensation of being on a live project. This incredible commitment to cutting-edge learning truly elevates my career and future professional perspectives, making Melbourne the ideal destination to carry forward Marianna Boza's legacy.

Eliana Katherine Molina

Holmesglen TAFE and the Victorian Tunnelling Centre

Colombia

The official launch of the scholarship took place at Fenalcarbón (Colombia’s National Federation of Coal Producers), bringing together key industry organisations—including Fenalcarbón, the Colombian Mining Association, and Women in Mining Colombia—and demonstrating the strong backing of Colombia’s mining sector for this initiative. The Australian Ambassador to Colombia, Anna Chrisp, attended both the official launch and the ceremony announcing the inaugural scholarship recipient, underscoring the high-level support for this Australia–Colombia collaboration.

It’s been an absolute pleasure having Eliana with us over the past six weeks to attend Holmesglen, participate in our programs, and take part in the industry visits we’re involved in. She has a very inquisitive nature and has gained a great deal from meeting with industry professionals in Victoria and exploring different perspectives and approaches, such as seeing new technologies such as seeing new technologies used in the mining and resources sectors. Altogether, it has been an amazing experience for us and Eliana. What a wonderful program this is – well done to all!

Professor Ross Digby

Associate Director: Industry Projects and Engagement, Holmesglen Institute.

The scholarship is sponsored by ORICA and Relianz, and the inaugural call attracted 44 high-quality applications from across Colombia, reflecting the strong interest in opportunities for professional development and gender equity within the sector.

This collaboration highlights Victoria’s strategic engagement in Latin America, connecting local education providers with regionally aligned, high-impact opportunities. It also showcases Holmesglen’s expertise and the strength of Victoria’s TAFE sector in delivering globally relevant, industry-focused training that supports innovation, sustainability, and inclusion across international markets.

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