REx STEER Trip to Cambodia 2024
The Mekong River runs through time and space, connecting diverse strands of history and different places. The field exposure trip will introduce ongoing field projects led by local researchers and practitioners, involve field trips to institutions, projects, and field sites that relate to issues of historical political, economic, and social transformation; water and energy governance; environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. There will be opportunities to interact with researchers and students from host institutions.
The trip exposes participants to the contemporary historical, political, social and environmental challenges facing Cambodia. We will mix of urban and rural experiences, including home-stays on islands in the river, fieldtrips to Irrawaddy dolphin sites, flooded forests, Khmer-Lao border zone, rapids, waterfalls, and reefs, hydropower plants, the Tonle Sap (Great Lake) of Cambodia, and Angkor Archaeological Park, with insights from specialists. The trip will also encompass company visits, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Tentative Programme
Date | Venue | Time | Programme |
01 July | Phnom Penh | PM | Arrival – transfer to hotel – evening boat on the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers |
02 – 04 July | Phnom Penh |
| Faculty of Science and Engineering of Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia; Cambodia Youth Action; Ministry of Environment; Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum; Sleuk Rith Contemporary Art Gallery of the Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam) |
05 – 06 July | Kratie and Koh Trung |
| Island eco-tourism; Kampi dolphin conservation; sustainable waste management; home-stays |
07 July | Lower Se San II Hydropower Dam |
| Visit to hydropower dam run by China’s Hydrolancang International Energy in partnership with the Royal Group of Cambodia. |
08 – 10 | Stung Treng and Preah Rumkel |
| Fieldtrips and home-stays: RAMSAR flooded forest; Thousand Island Rapids; Eco-Tourism project; Lao fieldtrip; River Islands and Cross-Border Relations. |
11 July | Transfer to Siem Reap |
| Hotel accommodation for remainder of the journey |
12 July | Angkor Wat temple complex |
| This fieldtrip will include interaction with local researchers and specialists |
13 July | Tonle Sap Lake |
| Fieldtrip to the Great Lake of Cambodia / Evening Farewell Party |
14 July | Return |
| Departure for Singapore |
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the REx STEER Cambodia
program, you must:
- Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student who has done/currently enrolled in UROP or UROP adjacent course from any discipline from AY2022/23 sem 1 to AY2023/24 sem 2
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be on time and participate in all programme activities
Graduate students wishing to participate in the programme may be considered on a case-to-case basis and will
not be eligible for any financial subsidies. Interested students will need to contact Dr Carl Grundy-Warr at geocerg@nus.edu.sg
How to Apply?
Apply via the NUS Education Records System (EduRec – GE) (setup ID: 02790) by 28 March 2024.
Applying through EduRec-GE will allow you to apply for financial aid/loans and enable GRO to contact and assist you in times of crisis/emergency while you are overseas.
With an official application through EduRec-GE, you are covered by the NUS Travel Blanket Insurance. Besides, GRO can also provide you with supporting letters for visa application. Read the step-by-step guide which we have prepared for you on GRO’s web.
Application Timeline
|
| |
1 | 20 March | Info session (via Zoom 3pm) |
2 | 21 March to 28 March | Registration (EduRec) |
4 | 3 April | Deadline (12pm) for extended registration |
5 | 4 April to 11 April | Interview students |
6 | 12 April | Notification to selected students |
7 | 15 April to 22 April | Accepts offers and applies for STEER Award |
8 | 22 April to 26 April | Co-payment ($250 via Paynow) – non-refundable |
9 | 22 April to 26 April (Reading week) | Pre-Departure Safety Briefing (OHSE) |
10 | 23 April | Flight booking via NUS Travel desk |
11 | 23 April to 25 April | Review + offer of STEER Award to applicants |
12 | 2 May | Deadline for applicants to accept the STEER Award (all applicants must accept the offer by then) |
13 | 6 May to 10 May | Payment of $1000 via Paynow |
14 | Dr Carl’s availability | Pre departure meet up with trip coordinators/UROP+REx applicants (if necessary) |
19 | 26 June | Applicants start to receive the STEER Award monies in their crediting bank account |
20 | 1 July | Departure to Cambodia |
21 | 14 July | Return to Singapore |