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GP-Seebär

This STEER program, hosted in the Global Studies programme, is part of a unique trilateral learning initiative with Cornell University (USA) and Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in Ecuador. At NUS, it will take the form of a UROP course offered in Spring 2026 run by Dr George Radics. Student participants will explore Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: ­­­­­­­Climate Action within the Singaporean context, and work with Cornell and USFQ students to co-create a podcast on the policies and progress made towards the respective SDGs selected by the three universities. During the Ecuador trip, led by Dr Swaroopa Lahiri, NUS students will have the opportunity to connect with their USFQ peers, learn about their educational experiences, and explore SDG 13 in the Ecuadorian context through field visits to local community projects, a reforestation initiative, a cloud forest station, and the Interpretation Center in the Galápagos Islands. Alongside these academic engagements, students will also have an immersive experience in Ecuador’s rich ecosphere through hikes, hot spring visit, and snorkeling adventures.

Key focus areas

  1. Community engagement: Students will be visiting local community centers to understand how climate change in Ecuador is tackled at the grassroots level. These visits will also give students the chance to interact with the wider local community in Ecuador, facilitating intercultural communication.
  2. Climate Action Initiatives: Given Ecuador’s exceptional biodiversity and fragile ecosystem, it serves as a critical setting to investigate climate action policies. Students will be learning about various climate change initiatives and visiting a reforestation site, a cloud forest station and the Interpretation Center to gain a holistic view of the climate change effects and policies/initiatives pursued, notably conservation plans.
  3. Comparative Learning: Students will understand how different countries approach climate action by comparing findings from their field trip in Ecuador to their prior findings on climate action policies in Singapore. This trip will help students appreciate the importance of local context when designing effective policies and promote a more sophisticated grasp of climate change issues.
  4. Cross-cultural Exchange: Meeting USFQ students and faculty members, attending a lecture with them, and touring the USFQ campuses will introduce NUS students to a different educational system and cultural context and enable them to gain new perspectives and build strong interpersonal connections.

Learning Objectives

  • Analyse climate action initiatives in Ecuador and develop a critical perspective on how grassroots-driven initiatives can contribute towards climate change efforts.
  • Foster cross-cultural collaboration by working with peers from USFQ to co-create a podcast.
  • Connect theoretical knowledge with real-world practice through field visits to various sites.
  • Explore the rich ecological heritage and biodiversity of Ecuador.
  • Hone intercultural skills by engaging with USFQ faculty members, students, and the larger local communities.

Program Details and Deadlines

  • Cost: $6,700.  After the STEER subsidy, the cost is $5,200.  You may also use your Opportunities Enhancement Grant (OEG) and Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA)
  • Deadline to apply is 8 December 2025 by 12:00pm.  10-minute online interviews will be conducted from 15-18 December.  Offers will be made on December 19.  Only 16 students will be selected.
  • 1st deposit of $2500 for airfare will be due on December 26th at 11:59pm.
  • Students will enroll in a UROP in semester 2, AY2025/2026 and travel to Ecuador from February 22-March 3rd.
  • You may watch the Zoom info session here for more details:  https://nus-sg.zoom.us/rec/play/G_di2zyryxPcx1gglWwIeg2I9FWq0dpK9eRf40gCtcVTpIT-Ja0ITVe0UDF5a40BYqswfn759Xug4zs1.w9SRFUTDpcR0bOY-?autoplay=true.  The password is:  A^0Rc!Sm

 

APPLICATION DETAILS

The programme has now been set up on EduRec-GE as STEER Ecuador. You may access the application using the following steps:

1) Log in to EduRec
2) My homepage >> Academics >> Global Education >> External Study Programme>> Ctrl +F (03585) >> Apply.
3) Note that the Setup ID of the programme is 03585.

Please contact Ms. Shi Ying Pang if you encounter any difficulties accessing the application on EduRec.

The deadline for applications is Monday, December 8 by noon. In addition to applying through EduRec, to be considered for the program, email Dr Swaroopa Lahiri a 500-word statement explaining why you are a good fit for the programme. Selected applicants will also have to complete USFQ's online application by December 26.