INTRODUCTION TO THE OVERSEAS STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (SEP)

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE OVERSEAS STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME (SEP) ECE Dept Coordinators: Assoc. Prof Mohan Gurusamy (Applications) elegm@nus.edu.sg Prof. Wang Qing-Guo (Study Plan/Module Mapping) elewqg@nus.edu.sg

2. What is SEP? • Study 1-2 semesters (generally 1 semester) at another university • ECE students go on overseas SEP during their 3rd year (Semester 5 and/or 6) • Pay NUS tuition fees only! (+ your own travel and living expenses) • Awarded equivalent MCs for all modules passed while on SEP (up to 25 MCs for 1-semester SEP*) • Graded S/U basis; appear in transcript; do not count towards CAP • Typically 15-20 MCs at the partner university *Read http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep/Policy.htm for MCs and policy rules

3. What are the Popular Destinations? • English Speaking Countries: • University of Birmingham • University of Glasgow • University of Leeds • University of Melbourne • University of Nottingham • University of Newcastle upon Tyne • University of Sheffield • University of California, Berkeley • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • Pennsylvania State University • Continental Europe: • TechnischeUniversitat Munich • Technical University of Denmark • Linkoping University • University of Oulu • EcoleSupaRieureD'Electricita(SupaLec)

4. Why Overseas SEP? • CREATE A NEW AND IMPROVED YOU • STRENGTHEN YOUR RESUME • DEVELOP VALUABLE LANGUAGE SKILLS • Study modules which are not offered in NUS • Gain international perspectives in your area of study • Improve foreign language skills or learn new languages • Learn about new cultures • Gain greater independence • Make new friends from all over the world

5. ECE Student Participation in SEP

6. Who is Eligible for SEP? • 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 ECE SEP web for more info: http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep

7. 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, etc. • Students planning for SEP at non-English destinations – start German, French language preparations (e.g. IRO LPP) as early as Yr 1 *See ECE SEP web for more info: http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep

8. SEP – Financial Support SEP Awards: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/financial/out/nasa/index.html# http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/financial/out/others/index.html SEP Loans: http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/financial/out/others/index.html *See ECE SEP web General Info and FAQ for more info: (http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep)

9. SEP Application Procedure • Call for application to EE2 students around Sep-Oct (semester 3 of B.Eng programme) • Register on-line during application period at IRO’s OPAS website • Based on CAP and interview performance, each student is assigned a place from his/her list of choices *See ECE SEP web for more info: (http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep)

10. SEP Application Procedure (contd.) • Prepare study plan and get approval by Prof. QG Wang (Refer Study Plan guide at ECE SEP website) • Submit relevant documents (transcript, , scholarship award endorsement, reference letters etc) (Jan-March) • Receive official confirmation from the partner university • Plan and finalize travel, accommodation etc (before 3-4 months of your SEP departure)

11. SEP Selection Procedure • Selection is based on academic performance and interview • Interview: Assessment criteria • Knowledge about partner university, country • Leadership qualities • Passion, Motivation • Ambassadorial Qualities

12. Guidelines from Faculty of Engineering • Things to think about…

13. Before indicating your choice of up to FIVE (5) universities via OPAS, please ensure the following: • you have gone through our SEP website at http://www.eng.nus.edu.sg/sep/for more information on SEP. • the partner University has an identical/similar course/discipline as yours e.g. Mechanical Engineering (ME) students should avoid universities without ME-related disciplines. However,  please note that faculties/departments at some universities may not have identical names as those here in NUS. (Eg. Technical University of Eindhoven does not offer courses in Bioengineering) • the partner University's academic calendar is suitable for you. • you will have no problems related to the language of instruction at the 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.)

14. Things to think about… • You are advised to make at least four choices of partner universities of interest to you from at least two differentcontinents. Many in the past who made few choices, had difficulties obtaining a suitable placement. • Most partner Universities have 1 or 2 places and the actual number of places may change anytime from now to early 2012 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.html

15. Things to think about… • Students will be assessed holistically during the allocation process; not just based on academic standing i.e., CAP alone. • Students will be assessed on the followingin addition totheir academic standing: • motivations for pursuing the SEP. • ability to be good “ambassadors” of NUS & Singapore. • ability to communicate & articulateideas effectively. • exhibit interests &abilities beyond academics • evident through active involvement in various special programs in the last 1 to 2 years (e.g. FoE Enhancement Programs / clubs / societies / sports: in the University and/or general community.) • 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.

16. International Relations Office (IRO) • Information on Financial Aid

17. Financial AidAwards, Scholarships and Loans

18. Financial Aids forSEP • NASA (Exchange Awards) - 1000 awards valued at S$2,500 • each • NUS Alumni Student Exchange Awards - 18 awards of S$2,500 • TF Leadership Enrichment and Regional Networking (LEaRN) Award • - 130 awards of S$ 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

19. Financial Aids forSEP (cont’d) • 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 • University-specified scholarships • http://www.nus.edu.sg/iro/nus/students/awards/index.html

20. Overseas Trip Safety Guidelines • Refer http://www.ece.nus.edu.sg/sep

21. Thanks. Q and A