Talk on SEPEE2 Briefing, 3 Aug 2015, LT6

By Dr. Sahoo SK

Student Exchange Programme (SEP)• NUS students go to an overseas university (Partner University)• Reflects NUS' commitment to global education• experience student life in a foreign country and learn to be a

global citizen.• pick up a new language, absorb new cultures and make new

friends. • Study modules which are not offered in NUS• Gain international perspectives in your area of study• Gain greater independence• Stint overseas will also enhance career options

English Speaking Countries:University of BirminghamUniversity of GlasgowUniversity of LeedsUniversity of MelbourneUniversity of NottinghamUniversity of Newcastle upon TyneUniversity of SheffieldUniversity of CaliforniaUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-

ChampaignPennsylvania State University

Some Partner UniversitiesContinental Europe:

Technical University of MunichTechnical University of DenmarkLinkoping UniversityUniversity of OuluEcole Superieure D' Electricite

[SUPELEC]

What is SEP?• Go for SEP during 3rd year (Semester 5 and/or 6) • Pay NUS tuition fees only! (+ your own travel and

living expenses) • Typically 15-20 MCs* at the partner university• Awarded equivalent MCs for all modules passed

while on SEP • Graded S/U basis; appear in transcript; do not count

towards CAP

*Read http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep/Policy.htm for MCs and policy rules

SEP Student Testimonial

• “My overall SEP was pretty enjoyable as it was really fun enjoying academic life and working together with people not just from the local country but also various other countries. It was a fantastic opportunity to widen my horizons and enrich my personal perspective, building on great friendships that left many fond memories behind. Although there are many differences in culture all over the world, coming from Singapore really helped me be more receptive and open to other nationalities and cultures. If there was a chance to go on exchange again, I would definitely jump at the opportunity once more.”

Cohort SEP Yr % cohort

2013/2014

2015/2016 47 students (24%)

2012/2013

2014/2015 70 students (23%)

2011/2012

2013/2014 85 students (31%)

2010/2011

2012/2013 92 students (32%)

ECE Student Participation in SEP

Information on SEP

• Who is eligible?• How to choose partner university?• How does one apply?• What are the selection criteria?• How much will it cost – Scholarships/Awards?• Whom to contact for help/info?

Who is eligible?• Full-time undergrads who have completed at least 2

semesters of Year 2 core specialization upon commencement of SEP.

• CAP≥3.0; no grade below 'C' (grade point of 2.0) in any module

• Students of any nationality

• Scholarship holders, subject to approval by sponsor

• Have minimum financial resources of S$6000 -S$15,000 per semester

• See Faculty SEP web for more info: http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep

SEP – Early preparation

• Check on financial resources and obligations (e.g. to scholarship org/sponsor)

• Plan overall B.Eng programme early, esp. S/U & MC budgeting, SEP+overseas IA, EE3 projects, co/pre-requisites for technical electives, academic calendar in partner Universities including exam schedule, etc.

• Students planning for SEP at non-English destinations – start German, French language preparations (e.g. IRO LPP) as early as Yr 1

• Make at least four choices of partner universities of interest to you from at least two different continents.

• Most partner Universities have 1 or 2 places and the actual number of places may change anytime based on decisions by the partner University or IRO.

• Links to information on our partners can be found at: • http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep/universities.htm• http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/sep/partners/pu/index.ht

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Choosing Partner University

• Check to see if the partner University has an identical/similar course/discipline as yours e.g. Electrical Engineering (EE) students should avoid universities without EE-related disciplines.

• However, please note that faculties/departments at some universities may not have identical names as those here in NUS.

• If the partner University's academic calendar is suitable for you.• You may have to return before the exam period in partner

university and take exam in NUS• Exam paper set by the prof in partner University• you will have no problems related to the language of

instruction at the partner University.

Choosing Partner University..

• you have sufficient funds to support your SEP at the partner University. Students will pay NUS tuition fees for the regular semesters while on exchange and will be fully responsible for their own airfare, visa, accommodation, living and other expenses. (e.g. estimated costs of at least S$10,000 for students going on exchange to North America, Europe, Australia, & UK.)

Choosing Partner University..

SEP Application Procedure1. Call for application to EE2 students around Sep-Oct (semester

3 of B.Eng programme)2. Register on-line during application period at IRO’s OPAS

website3. Attend Interview scheduled during reading week in November4. Based on CAP and interview performance, each student is

assigned a place from his/her list of choices5. Prepare study plan and get approval SEP Coordinator6. Submit relevant documents (transcript, , scholarship award

endorsement, reference letters etc) (Jan-March)7. Receive official confirmation from the partner university 8. Plan and finalize travel, accommodation etc (before 3-4

months of your SEP departure)

SEP Selection Procedure • Students will be assessed holistically based on academic

performance and interview• Interview: Assessment criteria• Passion, Motivation• Leadership qualities• ability to be good “ambassadors” of NUS & Singapore.• ability to communicate & articulate ideas effectively.• exhibit interests & abilities beyond academics• Knowledge about partner university, country

• In the ‘Personal Statement’ section, accurately highlight the above qualities and be prepared to attend interviews. Be prepared to substantiate any factual information provide in the application.

Financial AidAwards, Scholarships and

Loans

Financial Support

• Students in need of financial aid should first approach the University’s Office of Financial Aid, which offers a comprehensive package of financial aid combining study loans and bursaries. • Students who are interested in scholarships and bursaries

for study abroad programmes can visit the following websites for more information.

NUS Awards for Study Abroad (NASA Exchange Bursary/Scholarship)Other awards & scholarships for overseas exchange studentsOverseas Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Loan

• NASA (NUS Awards for Study Abroad) - valued at S$2,500 each • NUS Alumni Student Exchange Awards - 18 awards of

S$2,500 • Jacob Phang Memorial Scholarship – 2 awards of S$2,500

for two ECE students, one in each semester• TF Leadership Enrichment and Regional Networking

(LEaRN) Award - 130 awards of S$ 4,250 for SEP to ASEAN, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, India & Taiwan• Overseas Student Programme (OSP) Loan – Between

S$3,000 to S$10,000, subject to family’s monthly per capital income

Financial Aids for SEP

Country-specified scholarships - Additional top up from IE Singapore on NASA awards for

China (excluding Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen)

- JASSO Scholarship for Japan • ¥80,000 per month and one time settling expense of

¥15,000- DUO-Singapore Exchange Fellowship Awards for Europe• €4,000 per semester

- DSTA ACE Scholarships for Czech Rep, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Sweden or Netherlands• Up to 1 year SEP plus final year scholarship at NUS• Open to undergraduates from FOS, FOE & SOC with a

passion for science and technology with a short bond period

Financial Aids for SEP (cont’d)

Overseas Trip Safety Guidelines

• Refer http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep

SEP relarted Contacts

ECE Department SEP Coordinator: Dr. Sahoo Sanjib Kumarelesahoo@nus.edu.sg

ECE Admin Staff: Ms. Marsita Sairanmarsita@nus.edu.sg

ECE department SEP website for General Info and FAQ : (http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep)

Faculty of Engineering SEP site: http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep/

NUS International Relations Office: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/sep/out/index.html

STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (SEP)

Participate in the SEP and experience the world ! !

Thanks. Q and A