UBC & VinUni Student Research Forum 2023

How to advance human development in the global age, while protecting the planet and cultural identity? Learning from Vietnam

About the program

Dates: May 20, 2023 - May 31, 2023
Location: VinUniversity Campus, Hanoi, Vietnam

This is a 10-day, well-funded, research forum for students. This is an opportunity UBC and VinUniversity students to come together, problem-solve on the world's toughest issues, and co-create original research. With mixed teams involving students from both universities, the forum consists of the following:

  • Expert Lectures & discussions
  • Group work and problem-solving
  • Pre-assignments to prepare for group work
  • Field trips and site visits around Hanoi
  • Final presentations at VinUni
  • Final individual report

Theme: How to advance human development in the global age, while protecting the planet and cultural identity?

  • National identity and social equity: How can a country balance openness to the global economy with preserving national identity, dealing with social equality, protecting national culture, protecting the environment?  
  • Digital engagement and misinformation: How should we benefit from digital opportunities for development while dealing with digital problems, such as misinformation, online violence, cultural insensitivity?
  • Climate change: How can we accelerate climate change prevention and response? What can we learn from Vietnam’s actions in this regard?
  • Biodiversity: Protecting biodiversity in the spirit of the new UN Biodiversity Framework: what can we learn from Vietnam’s experience and initiatives? 
  • Public health and pandemics: Dealing with pandemics: what can we learn from Vietnam’s experience with Covid?
  • Trade and economic inequality:  How to balance the integration into trade agreements (CPTPP, RCEP, etc) and integrated in global supply chains, while take care of disadvantaged groups falling behind, manage social crises and support indigenous people.
  • Geopolitical tensions and instability: At a time of growing disruptions and tensions about great powers, what course should middle powers and mid-size countries take? How can they support each other to bring stability and mutual benefits?

While working with their groups, students will attend lectures offered by faculty members from UBC and Vin-Uni on the topic, and take part in field trips and site-visits around the Hanoi area.

UBC students will have the opportunity to learn about Vietnamese culture and politics first-hand while receiving mentorship from distinguished professors from both UBC and Vin-Uni. 

About VinUniversity: 

https://vinuni.edu.vn/

"VinUniversity is a private, not-for-profit university established by Vingroup – the largest private conglomerate in Vietnam. VinUni aspires to become a university of excellence with a mission to develop talents for the future.VinUniversity comprises of College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Management; College of Engineering and Computer Science; and College of Health Sciences. Every aspect of the University: its curricula, research, faculty, student body, facilities, and campus life, is developed to meet the highest standards set by the world’s leading accrediting and ranking organizations, such as ABET, AACSB, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and Times Higher Education (THE)."

UBC Academic Sponsor: Dr. Yves Tiberghien:

https://politics.ubc.ca/profile/yves-tiberghien/

Yves Tiberghien is a Professor of Political Science and Konwakai Chair in Japanese Research at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. He is also Director Emeritus of the Institute of Asian Research, and Director of the Center for Japanese Research. He is a regular visiting professor at Tokyo University (Graduate School of Public Policy) and at Sciences Po Paris (Paris School of International Affairs). He has held other visiting positions at National Chengchi University (Taiwan), GRIPS (Tokyo), and the Jakarta School of Public Policy (Indonesia). Yves’ research specializes in comparative political economy and global economic and environmental governance, with an empirical focus on Japan, China, Korea, and Europe.

VinUniversity Faculty and lecture topics: 


Student eligibility

About 12 - 15 UBC students will be selected to participate: Undergraduate students or graduate students are eligible to apply, though priority will be given to senior undergraduate students. Successful applicants should demonstrate a strong academic performance, interest and experiences in extra-curricular activities, and be a good team-player.

  • Full time undergraduate or graduate students (minimum 18 credits in the 2022-23 academic year)
  • Minimum 70% academic average overall, and in Term 1 2022
  • Currently 2nd year status or higher (including students finishing their degree requirements this term and graduating in May)
  • Students from any faculty are eligible
  • Students from both UBC-V and UBC-O are eligible
  • Highly motivated students who possess a strong interest in the forum themes. Prior to the forum, participants should prepare themselves for fruitful discussion by researching on a specific topic of their interest relevant to the main theme.

Fees and Funding

Participation Fee: $415.00 (Go Global Fee) charged to selected students who accept their spot in the program. 

The UBC-VinUni Student Forum will bear the costs for:

  • Accommodation expenses in Hanoi
  • A few meals will be provided throughout the conference, but students should expect to bear the majority of food costs
  • Field trip fees

Students are responsible for the costs of:

  • Flights
  • Meals
  • Incidental expenses at accommodation
  • Passport and Visa acquisition fees
  • Travel insurance

Participating students will receive a Go Global Award of $1000 that can be used towards the costs of participating. 

How to apply

Application deadline: March 21, 2023 at 4 pm.

There is no application fee. 

Complete the application online through Go Global's Gateway system. Go to "Search Experiences" and search "forum" scroll to this program and press "Apply for" and select "Summer" to start an application.

In your application you will be asked to respond to questions relating to: 

  • Your motivation for joining this program
  • How this program will benefit you in your current academic program and support your career goals
  • Any experience working on a team
  • Your interest and/or experience in community engagement or service

You will be asked to rank your interest in the program topics listed above.

Please also upload your most up-to-date resume/CV. 

Selected students will be notified by April 4.


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