Join us for 16 days in Nepal. We will visit three regions: Kathmandu, the capital city, the Rasuwa District and the Chitwan District.
This genuine multidisciplinary project provides opportunities for UniSC’s science, business, and engineering undergraduate students to work directly with organisations and communities in Nepal to tackle the global issue of plastic waste. Students will investigate local plastic waste impacts, identify local needs, and be supported to develop ongoing, tailored plastic waste projects in conjunction with local community groups.
This ongoing project encourages students to work collaboratively in a genuine cross disciplinary fashion to deal with a global issue. Our time in Nepal will result in a wide range of benefits for the local community including scientific reports to quantify the issues that can be shared with local government, identification of microbusiness potentials for the community, and the creation of practical engineering solutions for plastic waste.
The entire program will involve:
- A compulsory online pre-departure orientation session.
- Students enrolled in:
All studies will include both guided and independent learning experiences online, and activities in international settings, held over 16 days.
It will enable you to develop and apply fieldwork skills in a unique location in relation to a special topic in environmental studies or ecology. The course topics and learning activities will contribute to your ability to: plan and conduct fieldwork; analyse and evaluate information to complete a range of activities; generate, analyse, and transmit solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems; and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to others.
A 12 unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks.
- Approximately 100 hours will be dedicated to actively engaging in directed study hours (including data collection and field work skills), self-directed learning, and the completion of assessable tasks.
- There will be approximately 50 hours of experiential learning where students undertake a combination of urban, rural, and national park site visits, presentations by local collaborators, and visits to business institutions; and cultural experiences relevant to the destination.
- The NCP Field Trips are designed to be interactive, collaborative, and reflective. The international experience will provide students with a greater understanding of the challenges faced by developing nations, including conservation and management decision making and how these insights can be transferred across international boundaries.
- Assessment tasks will include:
- Literature review and risk assessment - Individual (30%)
- Project report - Fieldwork skills and data collection - Individual (50%)
- Project Presentation - Group (20%)
Creative Engagement is an interdisciplinary course that offers you the opportunity to actively engage with a community through an intensive project. This course provides multiple streams and various opportunities, including the chance to visit Nepal for immersive field work. Throughout the course, you will receive guidance from experienced academics and local partners who will assist you in workshopping your ideas, effectively communicating your process, delivering professional projects, and gaining invaluable experience in the field. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with engineering and science students from UniSC.
- A 12 unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks.
- Approximately 100 hours will be dedicated to actively engaging in directed study hours (including data collection and field work skills), self-directed learning, and the completion of assessable tasks.
- There will be approximately 50 hours of experiential learning where students undertake a combination of urban, rural, and national park site visits, presentations by local collaborators, and visits to business institutions; and cultural experiences relevant to the destination.
- There will be in-tour and post-tour assessment tasks to be completed which relate to the Creative Engagement.
- The NCP Field Trips designed to be interactive, collaborative, and reflective. The international experience will provide students with a greater understanding of how the business and cultural environment impacts on business and management decision making and how these insights can be transferred across international boundaries.
- Assessment tasks: TBC
For Engineering students the aim of this project is to examine sustainable civil infrastructure in both urban and rural Nepal, and particularly the impact of natural hazards (inc. GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods)) on such infrastructure.
This examination may then provide the basis for your subsequent ENG401 final year project, the culmination of your four-year engineering degree, that allows you to demonstrate that you can put engineering theory into practice and operate at a professional level.
Alongside your Science and Business peers, this project will encompass the following:
- Approximately 100 hours will be dedicated to actively engaging in directed study hours (including data collection and field work skills), self-directed learning, and the completion of (formative) assessable tasks.
- There will be approximately 50 hours of experiential learning where students undertake a combination of urban, rural, and national park site visits, presentations by local collaborators, and visits to business institutions; and cultural experiences relevant to the destination.
- The NCP Field Trips are designed to be interactive, collaborative, and reflective. The international experience will provide students with a greater understanding of the challenges faced by developing nations, including conservation/sustainability and (infrastructure) management decision making and how these insights can be transferred across international boundaries.
- Formative assessment tasks will include:
- Literature review and risk assessment - Individual (30%)
- Project report - Fieldwork skills and data collection - Individual (50%)
- Project Presentation - Group (20%)
|
Where |
Nepal (Kathmandu, Rasuwa and Chitwan) |
|---|---|
|
When |
22/11/2023 - 7/12/2023 |
|
Program cost |
$3900^ |
|
Places available |
28 |
|
UniSC Course |
^ This program cost is indicative and subject to change once final flight costs are received.
To submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) students must be:
- Studying an Animal Ecology, Environmental Science, or Environmental Management undergraduate coursework program in their second or third year and are enrolled in the UniSC School of Science, Technology and Engineering.
- Studying a business undergraduate coursework program and are enrolled under the School of Business and Creative Industries in their second or third year
Once EOI's are submitted and accepted, after the EOI closing date you will be sent additional forms to complete in International SONIA to assess your eligibility to enrol in the associated course and other requirements for the program.
Kathmandu: 22/11/2023 - 25/11/2023 & 4/12/2023 - 6/12/2023
Rasuwa District: 25/11/2023 - 1/12/2023
Chitwan: 1/12/2023 - 4/12/2023
More information provided at a later date.
Progam fee $2000^
Flights $1945
^As a reminder, this program fee only includes the in-country program activities. This does not include tuition for your enrolment in the applicable course or other costs incurred outside of the listed inclusions.
What is included in the Program Fee?
- Twin or three Shared Accommodation in Kathmandu and Rasuwa, Hotel in Chitwan (single room available at additional cost)
- 3 meals a day (sometimes bagged lunch)
- Internet in accommodation
- Transportation for Field Trip activities
- University travel insurance**
What is not included in the Program Fee?
- Airport transfers
- International flights ^
- Passport (students arrange their own)
- Any required vaccinations
- Non program transportation costs
- Tuition fee for associated course of enrolment (e.g. ENS333)
^ A return flight to your destination will be organised by Program leaders and booked through UniSC's corporate travel provider FCM. Payment for the flight and program fee will be made to UniSC prior to departure.
** Refer to the Insurance Information for Students
Program leaders
Assoc. Prof. Kathy Townsend - Science
Dr David Martin – Science Education
Dr Ratna Paudyal - Business
Dr Adrian McCallum - Engineering
Prof. Ferdinand Gul - Business
Important dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 August 2023 | Expression of Interest closes |
| 5 October 2023 | Compulsory pre-departure session 6pm -7.30pm |
| 22 November 2023 | Short Term Mobility Program commences - departing Brisbane |
| 6 December | Short Term Mobility Program end - departure Kathmandu |
| 8 December | Arrival Maroochydore |
Funding
New Colombo Plan funding.
This program has received New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility program funding, awarded by the Australian government. Eligible student will receive an offer for a $3000AUD grant to support their participation in the program.
If you submit a successful Expression of Interest you will be invited to complete an NCP Eligibility form. You can review the general eligibility criteria here, however please note the criteria may vary depending on the project and eligibility will be assessed on the point of receiving a completed NCP Eligibility form.
OS HELP
Overseas Student HELP loans (OS-HELP) are provided by the Commonwealth government to eligible HECS-HELP students undertaking various international experiences for credit. Eligible students can borrow up to $8,817 AUD for study in Asia. Please visit the OS-Help website to read the eligibility criteria and further information.
What next?
Expressions of Interests are now open, please register here.
After the Expression of Interest closes, if your EOI is accepted you will be invited to complete forms in International SONIA to determine your eligibility to enrol in the associated course, and complete other checks.
