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.

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.

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.