International Research Attachment Programmes (i-rap) Presented by Valerie Wan
International Relations Office (IRO) Our Mission: Foster closer international partnerships for transformative global engagement What does it mean for you? OPPORTUNITIES Student Exchange Programmes (SEP) Summer Programmes Research Attachments Internships Study Trips Conferences Forums
Where can you go? Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Over 300 partners in 50 countries around the world Short Term Overseas Opportunities Summer programmes, research attachment programmes, internships and other global opportunities with partners around the world, including Mexico and South Africa Enrichment and engagement study trips to Middle East, ASEAN, China, South America and more Join programmes conducted with our prestigious partners, including Yale, Duke, Cambridge, Oxford, Todai, ANU, PKU, Lund and many more!
Today s Speakers Tan Da Zhang Alex (Imperial College London, UK) Wu Ji (University of Oxford, UK) Fong Whye Kit (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China) Victor Chan (Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam) Nadia Ismail and Nur Afiqah Dzulkifley (UNIST, South Korea)
IRAP @ Imperial College London Department of Chemistry & Department of Chemical Engineering Project Title: Electrochemical Reduction of Amides Project Duration: 22 nd June 2015 14 th August 2015 / Summer 2015 Alex Tan
About Me Road Trip at Lake District, United Kingdom
Why IRAP? Mainly after research experience ICL among the top Chemical Engineering research institutions worldwide Networking opportunities Living in London for 2 months Travel? (Not much really)
My Project Electrochemical Reduction of Amides to Amines Key transformation for the pharmaceutical industry Continuation of an original PhD dissertation project Testing out new electrochemical reactor configuration MasterFlex Peristaltic Pump Reduction Electro chemical Cell DC Power Supply 1 /2 /3 Amide 1 /2 /3 Amine R = H or Alkyl Substituent Group Anolyte Reservoir Catholyte Reservoir Electrochemical Reactor Set-up
My Research Experience Worked closely with a post-doc with a PhD in Chemical Engineering Access to co-supervisors (both head of their own research groups) Given plenty of autonomy / independence Experienced life as a PhD student Unlike an exchange programme, more work-like Flexible hours, but I found myself staying beyond typical working hours Some things work, some don t and you may not know why Exciting, especially when you get good results Dr. Ju Zhu, my Postdoc Mentor and I Co-supervisors and I after our closing discussion
Key Takeaways Wonderful contacts with super-smart people (ICL s faculty and student body are very diverse) Mastery of lab equipment with no prior experience (HPLC, GC-MS) An opportunity to make mistakes and to learn from them An insight into what research is really like Steep learning curve, greater confidence in my research ability Amazing what goes on in ICL, even though it lies right smack in tourist territory Something awesome to talk about / share
It s not all work Sightseeing around London (Free museums, beautiful architecture) Road Trips & Travel (Wales, Lake District, but stay safe!) Hanging out with friends Enjoying the summer weather
Finance-related Information Food ( 10 15 a day, 1 x Restaurant Meal ~ 15-20) Transport ( 2.50 for tube, 1.50 for bus, not more than 50 a month for me, I walked to school ) Accommodation ( 1000 for 8 weeks @ Fisher Hall) Return Flight ($1400 SGD, Emirates) Travel Insurance ($200 SGD) Travel (??? Depends on you) Excluding travel, my total expenditure ~ 2800 for 2 months PSEA, NASA Scholarships, SURE Scholarships will help offset your cost by quite a lot
i-rap Oxford University BY WU JI FINAL YEAR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Pre-departure and Expectations - Excited, of course! - A great opportunity to further my interest in research - exploit different research environment - Meet and pick brilliant minds from a world-class university However, -Also nervous about if I can deliver real quality work - if it will be overly challenging or demanding
In Progress Project - Lab-based research work - a new and novel technology, lots of new ideas can be developed upon - independent experiment design a good but challenging exercise of what I have learnt in NUS - great flexibility, which allowed me to try out my own ideas - limited time, only 10 weeks, therefore, pretty intensive for me, esp. that I had many ideas to be tested out
In Progress Environment - Oxford is a very beautiful and tasteful city/town, most of the places are within cycling distance, so I cycled! - Weather was still quite chilly, or freezing when windy, during mid and late May, but it turned really great during June and July - The lab situated at Begbroke Science Park, a research facility owned by Oxford University, about 10km North of the Oxford Center, shuttle bus every day - Tons of attractions to visit, including numerous Harry Potter movie filming spots, like the library, the dining hall, etc. - Lab environment is more or less similar to NUS, as Begbroke is relatively new and the buildings are rather modern
In Progress People - Diversity in the lab, so many different backgrounds and origins - Very friendly, accommodating and helpful - all brilliant and academically inclined - Taught me a lot, not just about research - Gave me much encouragement for what I pursue
Towards the End - Completed many control experiments and generated several sets of useful data for the professor - Made a video for use in a presentation by my mentor in his presentation in NUS - Professor was very happy with my work and endorsed my completion with a real positive note - Created connections with brilliant people in the research field - Lived in a new country, added to my adaptability - Travel, yeah But - Really missed great cuisines back at home and Singapore, Oxford (or UK in general) has NO food >:
Picture Time
Picture Time
Thank You! Wish that all of you would have fruitful and memorable summers too!
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME (i-rap) Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Fong Whye Kit
About SJTU ( 上海交通大学 ) One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China Yao Ming is an alumni!
Research 12 weeks attached to one of the labs at SJTU Conducted research into low Reynolds number flows
Travelling within
Travelling out
Make friends!
Travel with friends!
Finances Airfare (two-way) Accommodation Visa Travel insurance Total fixed cost Approx. cost SGD380 provided SGD35 SGD129 SGD544 Food Transportation Personal spending Total (monthly) expenditure Approx. cost SGD100 SGD20 SGD250 SGD370 Santander
Finances NUS Awards for Study Abroad (NASA) Enhancement bursury / scholarship Santander Undergraduate Research Exchange (SURE) Programme scholarship
International Research Attachment (i-rap) Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology Water Science and Technology
At a Glance A research attachment in one of the top Universities in Vietnam. A Research Attachment that covers the use of Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Technology. Combination of hands-on lab work as well as Research.
The Research Experience Two days of Laboratory work per week. Writing of research paper under a flexible schedule. Plenty of places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City over the weekends.
Why this i-rap is the one for you! Gain valuable research experience over the summer in a foreign University. Worth 4MCs of academic credit. Non-overly demanding pace of research. Low programme costs and expenditure. Plenty of destinations to visit over the weekends.
Accommodation
Suoi Tien Amusement Park
Giang Dien Waterfall
District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Central
Questions?
Summer Program of Internship and Korean Experience (SPIKE) 29 June ~ 7 August 2015
Summer Program (4 weeks)! Foundational Korean Language (compulsory)! Alphabets, Basic Korean phrases, Numbers + Cultural Activity
Summer Program (4 weeks)! Globalization & Economy (Optional)! Communication with Korean Culture (Optional)! Discussing pressing issues about Korea! Movie screenings! Presentation
Research Internship! Minimum 4 weeks! Stipend: 800,000 won! Presentation! Lab experience at a relaxed pace! Nice professors and mentors
Korean Cultural Experience Hanbok Wearing Ulsan Tour Industrial Visit to Hyundai Heavy Industries Temple Stay Boryeong Mud Festival Busan Tour + Farewell dinner on cruise
Korean Cultural Experience Hanbok & Bowing
Korean Cultural Experience Ulsan Tour
Korean Cultural Experience Temple Stay (2D1N)
Korean Cultural Experience Boryeong Mud Festival
Korean Cultural Experience Busan Tour
Homestay* Living in Korea
Accommodation (comfortable, clean & homey)! 3 toilets! Private showers in each room! Small living space! No kitchen/pantry Isolated Others! Nearest village about 15-20 mins bus ride
Sightseeing
www.spike.unist.ac.kr
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