This industry project is a unique opportunity for you to develop a detailed understanding of strategic planning and urban design challenges for a Pacific developing country.
We will explore how an urban greening strategy was developed for Port Vila, the capital of the Republic of Vanuatu. During a three day intensive orientation workshop, followed by a two week field study tour of Port Vila, you will learn about the social, environmental and economic drivers of change in Port Vila.
This will include international aid funding of nature-based solutions through partner organisations such as the EU, World Bank and Engineers without Borders. You will appreciate the governance and regulatory challenges for urban planning in the Pacific in the context of the compounding and cascading impacts of more intense and frequent disasters resulting from global warming. Using the Port Vila Urban Greening Masterplan as resource, you will learn to develop green infrastructure strategies that will support environmental, health/cultural and economic opportunities for Port Vila.
This course will be of interest to students who are interested in urban greening, international development and aid, nature based solutions and green infrastructure implementation.
Program leaders
Dr Nicholas Stevens - Urban Design and Town Planning
Dr Gregor Mews - Urban Design and Town Planning
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22/02/2024 @12pm | Zoom information session |
| 01/04/2024 | Expression of Interest closes |
| 20/11/2024 to 22/11/2024 | Pre-departure training |
| 25/11/2024 to 12/12/2024 | Study tour - Vanuatu |
| Where | Vanuatu, Port Vila |
|---|---|
| When | 25/11/2024 - 08/12/2024 |
| Program cost | Approx $3474 AUD* |
| Flight cost | Approx $900^ |
| Places available | 15 |
| UniSC course | ENP200 or ENP201 |
* 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.
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
A detailed program itinerary will be provided, however activities include field trip and stakeholder meetings in and around Port Vila.
|
Program fee |
$1571* |
A program of fieldtrips and activities around Port Vila. |
|
Flights |
$900^ |
|
|
Accommodation |
$1903* |
For 2 weeks in a shared room for two people |
|
Meals |
$700* |
Per person for two weeks |
|
Activities |
$150* |
|
|
Transfer |
$50* |
|
|
Local transport
|
$150* |
|
|
FINAL TOTAL |
5424 |
|
* 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:
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 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?
Submit an Expression of Interest prior to the 01/04/2024.
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.
Personal Information Collection Notice
The University of the Sunshine Coast is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in a responsible and secure manner in accordance with our legal obligations under Queensland’s Information Privacy Act 2009 and other relevant laws. The university is collecting your personal information on this form to process and communicate with you about your expression of interest. More information on the university’s privacy practices is available on our website (https://www.usc.edu.au/privacy).