NUS International Asia Fellowship Program 2023 on Sustainability - Basic Overview

NUS Asia Fellowship Program 2023 is an inaugural international fellowship program on sustainability conducted by the National University of Singapore (NUS). It is an opportunity that brings together students from different prestigious colleges in Asia to foster collaboration between nations and also promote sustainability on university campuses. I am lucky to be one of the few students selected for the fellowship, and in this article, I will write about my experience with the program so far.

National University of Singapore (NUS)

NUS is one of the top and most sought-after universities in Singapore. It was founded in 1905 as a medical school and quickly branched out to have several disciplines. Today, they have 3 campuses, 16 schools, 30000+ undergrads and 11000+ grad students. You get the point - the university is huge and is ranked 11th worldwide, according to QS.

NUS International Asia Fellowship Program 2023

Now about the fellowship program - NUS International Asia Fellowship Program 2023 is a sponsored program that introduces participants to sustainability and relevant concepts such as circular economy, energy, design thinking, and social business model canvas. The program will have a 1 week of face-to-face interaction in Singapore, followed by a one-month online session. At the end of the one month, the students will have to develop a proposal on how to make their university campus more sustainable.

Detailed timeline

• Feb 9th - an invitation to the program by my college

• Mar 10th - deadline for registration

• Apr 24th - announcement of results

• Jun 5th - Jun 9th - session at NUS campus, Singapore

• Jun 15th - Jul 10th* - online session

Do note that this is the timeline for IIT Madras. This may not be the case for other invited universities.

* - tentative as of writing the article

Selection Process

NUS invited several colleges from Asia to partner with them. The invited universities floated out a mail asking interested students to apply.

• It is open to undergraduate students in their 3rd year and above.

• Required documents are:

  1. An official transcript is required

  2. Comprehensive CV

  3. A short essay (750 - 1000 words). This year's topic was "How can social media promote sustainability on campus?"

• Academic excellence, diversity and outside classroom achievements are the criteria for selection.

• Finally, 2 students from each institute are selected for the fellowship. They are guided by one faculty from the institute as well.

Program Sponsorship

This is a sponsored fellowship. Therefore, NUS covers a part of the expenses for the Singapore visit. These include the following:

• Flight tickets

• Accommodation from Jun 4th - Jun 10th

• Welcome lunch on Jun 5th and farewell lunch on Jun 9th

Program Overview

The selected participants of the NUS Asia Fellowship Programme will engage in a dynamic week-long interaction session in Singapore. This session includes attending classes, workshops, site visits, and presentations. Students will be divided into groups and assigned group projects focused on sustainability issues on the NUS campus. At the end of the week, each group will present their findings and propose innovative solutions.

Once they return to their home countries and universities, the participants will continue their exploration of sustainability challenges on their own campuses. They will analyze the issues, develop solutions, and present their findings to the fellowship committee. This comprehensive experience encourages cross-cultural collaboration and empowers students to tackle sustainability challenges both locally and globally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I have provided an overview of the NUS Asia Fellowship Programme 2023, covering its key elements such as the program structure, timeline, selection criteria, and sponsorship opportunities. As I continue writing about this program, I look forward to delving into more specific aspects, focusing on the enriching experiences and unforgettable moments that participants will encounter at the vibrant NUS campus in Singapore. Join me as I take you on a journey of learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange, showcasing the transformative power of this fellowship program. Together, let's explore the boundless opportunities that await those embarking on this remarkable adventure.