You can be part of an international research program in the wilds of Borneo as part of your undergraduate degree through enrolment in UniSC's ENS333 Special Field Studies Topic course.
Course details
This course (commencing in Session 1, 2025) will take you to the pristine rainforests of Sarawak and Brunei in Borneo. You will visit a variety of locations including Mulu World Heritage Area (Sarawak) and Ulu Temburong National Park (Brunei) giving you a taste of the biodiversity of this region including peat swamps, mangroves and dipterocarp forests.
You will also take part in a long-term monitoring project to study the population dynamics of several species and you will assist to make voucher collections at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre.
Program leaders
UniSC students are lucky to have UniSC academics Associate Professor Alison Shapcott and Professor Cathy Yule, with extensive research experience in Borneo, to take you on this journey and enable you to experience a diversity of different types of field work.
Associate Professor Shapcott has collaborated with The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the University of Brunei Darussalam to study understory palms in unlogged rainforest in Brunei.
Professor Yule is a tropical ecologist who lived and worked in SE Asia for 30 years in Borneo, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea who has many years' experience working in Mulu and is an expert on freshwater invertebrates and peat swamps.
Important dates
- EOI submitted by 23/08/2024
- Travel dates: 31st Jan 2025 - 17th Feb 2025
Program summary
Where: Borneo
When: 31st Jan 2025 - 17th Feb 2025
Costs: $3562*
UniSC course: ENS333
Teaching period: Session 1, 2025
Program leader: Associate Professor Alison Shapcott and Professor Cathy Yule
* This amount is indicative and includes the program delivery and accommodation.
^ A return flight to your destination will be organised by Program leaders and booked through UniSC's corporate travel provider FCM. This cost is indicative and will be finalised at the point of booking.
- UniSC undergraduate students that have competed at least 8 courses in your respective Undergrad program and;
- Can enrol in ENS333
As this tour is supported by NCP funding, you should also be aware of the NCP Mobility Grant criteria:
a) an Australian citizen
b) not a citizen or permanent resident of a host location in which they will undertake a mobility project
c) enrolled in a UniSC onshore campus and undertaking a bachelor degree or bachelor honours degree
d) will receive credit/count towards the course requirements for the student's bachelor degree, bachelor honours degree or concurrent diploma
e) meets the age requirements 18 and 28 years* inclusive at the commencement of the Mobility Project.
*Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students do not need to be aged between 18 and 28
|
Day |
Date |
AM |
PM |
|
Day 1 |
Saturday January 25th |
Yoga Morning Check-in Pick up students from airport |
Welcome gathering (followed by games with children/young people) |
|
Day 2 |
Sunday January 26th |
Yoga Picnic with children |
Debrief (followed by games with children/young people) |
|
Day 3 |
Monday January 27th |
Yoga Morning Check-in Village cultural walk Painting/gardening project |
Tree of life process with staff Tree drawing with children Debrief |
|
Day 4 |
Tuesday 28thstJanuary |
Yoga Morning Check-in Reflection process with staff |
Tree of life with children Debrief (followed by games with children/young people) Debrief |
|
Day 5 |
Wednesday 29th January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Strength-based certificates |
Debrief |
|
Day 6 |
Thursday 30th January |
Yoga Morning Check-in Closure activities with children |
Closure celebration/ceremony |
|
Day 7 |
Friday 31st January |
Travel to Varanasi Old City (Safarnama Guest House) |
Serenity Routes tour of the old city followed by Aarti |
|
Day 8 |
Saturday 1st February |
Free Time |
Free Time Closure Dinner |
|
Day 9 |
Sunday 2nd February |
Reflective Workshop |
Reflective Workshop |
|
Day 10 |
Monday 3rd February |
Final Closure |
Departure |
This is an example program itinerary that is subject to change. A detailed program itinerary will be provided by the academics closer to the program dates.
|
Activities
|
$607* |
Program of activities offered by the University Brunei Darussalam/ Global Discovery Program and KBFSC and other. |
|
Flights |
$2200^ |
|
|
Accommodation |
$524* |
Shared room |
|
Meals |
$180* |
Per person for two weeks |
|
Local transport
|
$31* |
|
|
Visa |
$20* |
|
|
FINAL COST |
$3562* |
|
* These amounts are indicative, and you will be provided with more detailed costings after you have submitted your Expression of Interest.
^ A return flight to your destination will be organised by Program leaders and booked through UniSC's corporate travel provider FCM. This cost is indicative and will be finalised at the point of booking.
What is not included in the costings above:
- Passport (Students arrange their own)
- Any required vaccinations
- Non program related transportation costs
- Activities not related to the program
- Tuition fee for enrolment in ENS333
What next?
Step 1: After submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) the academic will review submissions and make final selections.
After the EOI deadline passes and if you are selected to proceed, they will send your details to the Global Mobility team. The Global Mobility team will provide you with a range of forms to complete in International SONIA.
- SONIA – is the system we use to manage student placement activities at UniSC.
If there are vaccination requirements, or other requirements, you need to meet to participate in the course (such as a blue card, or evidence of COVID vaccinations for entry to a country) we will ask you to provide evidence that you meet these requirements.
Step 2: Various teams at UniSC assess your responses and determine your eligibility to enrol in the associated course. You will be advised if you have been successful in receiving a place on the Short-Term Mobility Program by being allocated to the placement in SONIA International. You will be enrolled in the associated course on USC Central.
Step 3: You will be advised if you have been successful in receiving an NCP Mobility Grant (where available).
Step 4: You will register with any Third-Party Provider involved in the delivery of the program (if applicable).
Step 5: UniSC will send you details regarding flight costs associated with your program and your flights will be booked via UniSC Travel.
Step 6: Attend pre-departure sessions and apply for OS-HELP
Alongside this, you will be provided additional information specific to the program by the academic involved in the delivery of the Short-Term Mobility Program.
Funding
New Colombo Plan funding.
This program has received New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility program funding, awarded by the Australian government. Eligible students will receive an offer for up to $35000AUD 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 $9,504 AUD for study in Asia. Please visit the OS-Help website to read the eligibility criteria and further information.
