Network Programmes

IARU Global Summer Program (GSP)

The IARU Global Summer Program (GSP) provides opportunities for students from IARU universities to take part in intensive short courses over the northern hemisphere summer. Participants will work with outstanding peers from around the globe to explore the most urgent challenges and opportunities for humanity in the 21st century; living and learning at a leading research-intensive university.

Program Description & Objective

GSP 2013 will feature 19 courses from all our ten IARU partners, of which four are brand new GSP courses. Participants will gain new perspectives, often leading to research in a specific field and most go on to do their graduate studies, perhaps at a partner IARU institution. Through a mix of lectures, tutorials, peer interaction as well as field trips, participants become a part of a great association of students and faculty, leveraging on what the Alliance of universities can offer.

Classes are rigorous and intense as they are designed for the best students from IARU institutions, who will come together to explore and discuss challenges of the 21 Century that most often require multi-disciplinary approaches. These courses are in line with IARU's commitment to grooming future leaders of nations and industries.

Please click here to view the GSP courses for 2013.

Program Schedule

The course schedules are available on each individual course information found at the IARU GSP website.

Program Expenses

Program expenses differ for each hosting IARU University.  For information on the cost of each course, please refer to each individual course information found at the IARU GSP website. 

Please note that you are responsible for your own travel arrangements, course fees, accommodation, visa application and any other costs stipulated by the host universities, if payment is required.

Courses at NUS

For “Asia Now! – Southeast Asian Cosmopolitan Urbanism”, successful applicants will be given awards which will cover tuition fees, 50% accommodation costs, local transfers (for site visits) and material costs. Please refer to the IARU GSP website for other costs that you may incur.

For “Southeast Asia in Context” course, please refer to the IARU GSP website for the estimated costs that may be incurred. Singaporeans who do not receive any financial assistance from NUS may apply for the Overseas Student Programme (OSP) loan. 

Courses at other IARU Institutions (for NUS students)

NUS provides a number of travel grants to outbound students.  As a guide, the travel grants are:

S$1000 for students going to US and Europe S$750 for students going to Australia and Asia

Please note that the amount may be subject to changes.

IARU-Santander Global Summer Program Scholarships (NUS)

As part of their social responsibility program, Banco Santander is partnering the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) to award the IARU-Santander Global Summer Program Scholarships (NUS) to outstanding NUS students attending the IARU Global Summer Program 2013.  Up to 16 outstanding NUS students will be selected and awarded the scholarship, valued at US$1,250 each. Please submit your application using the Application Form and email to iaru.gsp@nus.edu.sg by  Friday, 1 March 2013.

 

Accommodation

Accommodation details are given under each individual course information found at the IARU GSP website.

Application Criteria

The GSP is open to all undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of study at the point of application.  Hence, students in Year 1 are not eligible to apply.  Students in their graduating semester are also not eligible.  Due to strong demand and the limited number of places, students who have previously participated in a GSP course will not be considered. 

Some GSP courses are open to postgraduate students.  Please refer to the target audience sections under each individual course information found at the IARU GSP website. 

Applicants will be shortlisted based on academic results, the statement of purpose and other information in the application form.  An interview will then be conducted.

The aim of the selection process is to select outstanding, well-rounded ambassadors of NUS who have a consistent record of high academic achievement and a strong interest in their chosen course.

While there are no specific selection criteria, you should aim to include in your personal statement relevant information that best demonstrates and supports your intention for wanting to participate in the course, what you hope to contribute to the course, and what you hope to learn from it.

Please note that selection of students for the GSP courses in NUS will be determined by the host faculties i.e. Department of Architecture for “Asia Now! – Southeast Asian Cosmopolitan Urbanism” and Department of Southeast Asian Studies for “Southeast Asia in Context”.

You will be informed about 2 days after the interview whether you have been nominated by NUS for the GSP course.  Please note, though, that nomination by NUS is only the first step. The host institution still reserves the right to make the final decision on whether to accept you. Upon acceptance of your nomination, the host institution will be in contact with you. They will advise you on other information that may be required to complete the application process, and on the visa application procedure.  It is important to follow the instructions from the host institution and get the visa application process started right away.  You will also have to make your own travel arrangements.

Selection of students for the GSP courses in NUS will be determined by the host faculties i.e. Department of Architecture for “Asia Now! – Southeast Asian Cosmopolitan Urbanism” and Department of Southeast Asian Studies for “Southeast Asia in Context”

Application Process

NUS undergraduate students can apply for the GSP courses by completing the online application by Friday, 1 March 2013.

For NUS graduate students, please email to iaru.gsp@nus.edu.sg to request for the application form. Completed applications are to be submitted to iaru.gsp@nus.edu.sg  by Friday, 1 March 2013.

Late submissions will not be entertained.

Students who wish to apply to more than one course, please note the following:

Each online submission is for ONE course only. Therefore, two online submissions are necessary for applications to two different courses, and so on. You cannot indicate preferences on your choice of courses. Hence, it is highly recommended that you consider applying only for courses that you feel strongly about and best reflect your academic needs and interests. Your application will then be reviewed and you will be shortlisted for an interview for only ONE course. Ensure that you have checked the specific requirements and fee structure of each course before you proceed.

Please note that you are required to submit only the application form at the point of application. If you are nominated by NUS, you may be required to provide a copy of your transcript and other additional documentation. Details on the additional information/ documentation that may be requested are available on each individual course information found at the IARU GSP website. Please also note that as NUS is an English medium institution, NUS students are not required to submit proof of English fluency.

If you are also applying for the IARU-Santander Global Summer Program Scholarships (NUS), please also complete the Application Form and email to iaru.gsp@nus.edu.sg by  Friday, 1 March 2013.

Visa Application

Visa application details are listed under the FAQ section under each individual course information found at IARU GSP website. 

Further Information

For NUS students, it is important that all students receive credit transfer and module mapping approval from their home faculty before embarking on the GSP course. Please click here to refer to the credit equivalence and module mapping information.

Please note that you cannot do a grade transfer for the GSP’s course modules.  All overseas modules are transferred only on a credit basis. Please check with your home faculty if you need further clarification.

If you are considering withdrawing from the GSP, be advised that the GSP is a very competitive program and you should consider very carefully your wish to withdraw.  Please inform both NUS and the host institution should you decide to do so.  If you withdraw after you have confirmed your placement, the host institution may impose penalties.  You will also have to return the travel grant and certificate if they have already been issued.

Queries

For additional information or related queries, please click here.

IARU GSP students at the University of Cambridge

About IARU  

The International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), established in late 2005, is an alliance of ten of the world's leading research universities – The Australian National University, ETH Zurich, National University of Singapore, Peking University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Cambridge, University of Copenhagen, University of Oxford, The University of Tokyo and Yale University. It is a strategic drawing together of universities that share a similar vision and have a commitment to educating future leaders.

For more information on IARU please visit: www.iaruni.org.