Engineering in Complex Environments

Key information

Destination: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Dates: 24 June - 7 July 2024

Program cost: $4,200 + airfares

Funding:

• 27 x $3,000 New Colombo Plan Mobility Grants available for eligible undergraduate students
• $9,504 OS-HELP Loans available for eligible students

Program eligibility: Undergraduate Engineering students

Application deadline: 31 March 2024

Overview

The Engineering in Complex Environments in Cambodia exposes participants to the complexities of working as a professional engineer in complex systems and environments. The program allows participants to deeply explore the intersections between engineering, technology and the creation of social impact. 

Students will be challenged and supported to develop a deep understanding of the role engineering and technology play in creating positive impact. Students will gain experience in socio-technical skills and mindsets, best practice appropriate technology development, designing in resource constrained environments, working with community and clients to identify needs, define problems and design solutions and working in cross-cultural contexts.

Highlights

• 5-day homestay
• Vist UNESCO World Heritage site - Angkor Wat
• Floating villages

Itinerary

The 14 day Design Summit is divided into three phases:

Phase 1 - Siem Reap: Students participate in a series of introductory and preparation sessions on human-centred design, appropriate technology, development, Cambodian history, culture and language. Phase 1 takes place over 2-3 days. 

Phase 2 - Community Homestay: In teams, students conduct community consultations, asset mapping and needs analysis from which they develop a design solution to locally identified design opportunities. The homestay includes visits to a community forest, market garden, aquaculture and other small-scale economic activities and involvement in local culture and day to day activities over five nights and six days.

Phase 3 - Siem Reap: Students return to Siem Reap to finalise their designs and prototypes, before returning to community to present them to local stakeholders. Phase 3 takes place over 3 days.

Academic information

Which unit/s can this program be taken for as credit?

EAT20008 (4 weeks credit to work experience)

Can this unit be taken as an elective by students in any Swinburne degree? 

No

Eligibility

This program is open to 2nd, 3rd and 4th year Engineering students who need to complete EAT20008 (Professional Experience in Engineering).