Universitas 21 Summer School 2008
“Embracing Diversity through Creativity, Culture and Innovation”
University of Birmingham 30 June – 12 July 2008

The University of Birmingham is hosting the 5th Universitas 21 (U21) Summer School from 30 June - 12 July 2008. The theme this year is “Embracing Diversity through Creativity, Culture and Innovation”. 

One of the objectives of the 2008 school is to provide a challenging, thought-provoking and creative academic programme that attracts and develops the skills of the best students from within the U21 network.  This will be pursued through a curriculum with three interacting and integrated dimensions.

• The identified study themes will be taught through a series of lectures and associated ‘visits’ to organisations and places in and around Birmingham.  The themes are:
  • economic and urban development
  • environment
  • social justice
  • conflict/peace studies
  • use of language
  • performing arts
  • fine arts
  • film making
• Open exhibitions and performance will link the participants of U21 Summer School and U21 to the wider University and city communities. 
• The final component of the activity – Communication – will allow participants to examine the School’s subject matter through individual creative projects in a pre-selected medium (digital media, short story writing, newspaper journalism, dance, music, photography). 

Five students will have the opportunity to represent NUS for the two-week programme at this U21 Summer School at University of Birmingham.

The registration cost is £500 for each student, which includes the two-week academic programme, accommodation, some meals, visits and field trips.  This will be paid for by the NUS International Relations Office directly to the host.  In addition, we will provide partial financial support for each successful applicant, which can be used towards airfare and transportation.  Any other costs incurred will have to be borne by students.

The NUS International Relations Office (IRO) welcomes applications from NUS undergraduates in their second year onwards to participate in this U21 Summer School. Students from all faculties and schools are welcome to apply.

NUS students should use this application form to apply to IRO. Please do not use the form available on the U21 website. Once the application is successful, your name will then be submitted to the host.

More information on http://www.u21.bham.ac.uk/Summer-School.htm

WHO CAN APPLY?

The U21 Summer Conference is open to students from any faculty/school and of any nationality. However, students must keep in mind that they will be responsible for meeting all immigration requirements.

Students applying to take part in this U21 Summer School should have completed at least two years of studies at NUS by May 2008 and will spend at least one more semester here in NUS upon return.   

Applicants should have a CAP of at least 3.0, possess a good command of English and be able to act as effective ambassadors for NUS.  

Ideally, each student will demonstrate a strong sense of cultural awareness and interest in the subject matters. 

This year, each participant will be asked to keep a daily reflective journal and communicate their thinking and analysis via one of the pre-selected medium (digital media, short story writing, newspaper journalism, dance, music, photography).  Though coaching will be provided, students should still be confident and comfortable with such communication means.

HOW CAN I APPLY?

Students wishing to attend the Summer School must submit the application form along with all supporting documents, by 31 March 2008.

Please enclose your application in an envelope and mark “U21 Summer School” on the outside. You may deposit your application at the following locations:

International Relations Office - 3rd Storey, Unit 03-03,
Shaw Foundation Alumni House, 11 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119244

Or

Student Services Centre – Located at Yusof Ishak House Level 1
(Box labeled “International Relations Office” within the centre.)

MORE QUESTIONS?

Contact Ms Susan TAN at irottts@nus.edu.sg

ABOUT THE U21 SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMME

Universitas 21 is an international network of leading research-intensive universities. Its purpose is to facilitate collaboration and cooperation between the member universities and to create entrepreneurial opportunities for them on a scale that none of them would be able to achieve operating independently or through traditional bilateral alliances.

In July 2004, NUS hosted the inaugural U21 Summer School & Symposium. The second U21 Summer School was hosted by Lund University, Sweden. Hong Kong University was the organiser of 2006’s Summer Institute. Last year, this event was led by the University of Virginia. See http://www.universitas21.com/summer.html for more details.

NUS also participates actively in the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) with all U21 member universities.

More information on U21: http://www.universitas21.com

U21 member universities: http://www.universitas21.com/memberlist.html

ABOUT THE HOST UNIVERSITY: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

A founding member of Universitas 21, the University of Birmingham (UoB) is distinctive among institutions of higher education in the United Kingdom. As indicated by the University's motto, ‘per ardua ad alta’ – ‘through hard work, great things are achieved’, these sentiments aptly sum up and illustrate the spirit and attitude of the people who have shaped the University. Ranked among the Top 100 by the Shanghai Jiaotong Academic Ranking of World Universities in 2007, UoB is recognized both nationally and internationally for its research institute. As one of the top five British research institutes, UoB has proved a force to be reckoned with, obtaining a five-star rating for teaching and research in several departments. The university is home to a number of well-known research centres and schools. These include the Birmingham Business School, the oldest business school in England, and the University of Birmingham Medical School, which has produced more medical doctors than any other university in Britain.

Founded in 1900, the different campuses dot the city of Birmingham, reputed to be the powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. The University of Birmingham offers more than 500 undergraduate and 300 Masters programmes. As such, the departments are arranged into eight subject areas, which are Arts, Languages, Literature and History; Business; Education; Engineering; Law; Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences; Science; and Social Sciences, Government and Politics.

The University takes an active role in strategic alliances with international universities and research institutions and as such, warmly welcomes international students, who comprise 25% of the 26,000 student population. Also, UoB encourages citizens of other countries to live, work, and study in this institution. Offering a wide range of scholarships for international students, the University truly sets itself apart from other institutions in attracting foreign talent.

The different disciplines offered by the University, coupled with its vibrant and global community,    is testament that the 2008 Summer School theme "Embracing Diversity through Creativity, Culture and Innovation" will be a remarkable success.