Environmental science and GIS investigations in Mongolian Steppes

Environmental Science and GIS investigationsin Mongolian Steppes

Program Location: Inner Mongolia, China

Program Dates: 14th June - 11th July, 2025

Application Deadline: March 7th, 2025

Places Available: up to 12 New Colombo Plan (NCP) funded places valued at $4200

In this New Colombo Program (NCP) project, we will undertake four-week environmental investigation training in the temperate steppes of the Mongolian Plateau. The project focuses specifically on the assessment and monitoring of grassland areas. Grasslands are significant ecosystems, playing an important role in the carbon cycle, erosion control, climate mitigation and for the economies of rural communities (such as for cattle grazing). The Mongolian Plateau provides a fascinating case study for Australian students. Strong parallels can be drawn between environmental problems faced by the region and our home environment: climate variability, severe droughts, and damaging floods. However, students will also gain invaluable insights into differing agricultural and environmental management practices. Students will have the unique opportunity to work directly with scientists and students from the host organisation, Institute of Water Resources for Pastoral Area (IWHR), in Inner Mongolia, China. The trip also provides opportunities to visit a few universities in Beijing and Hohhot.

Academic Information

Academic Eligibility and Overview
Area of Study	Environmental Science and GIS
Degree type	Undergraduate (inc. Honours)
Eligibility	An actively enrolled at Flinders in the BSc (Environmental Science) or BGIS. Be deemed suitable to represent Flinders University overseas
Language of instruction	English
Credit (Academic Recognition)	Access to a 4.5 unit of credit toward academic program Able to enrol in STEM7002 On successful completion of the study tour and all required assessment for the topic, students should be eligible to receive 4.5 units of credit.
GPA	Recommended 5 above

Financial Support

Travel Scholarships Available

The program is supported by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP). For eligible students, the cost of this program can offset by:

AUD $4,200 Australian Government New Colombo Plan Grant
RA Simpson International Scholarship AUD $500 (subject to meeting eligibility requirements)
OS-HELP up to AUD $9,893 (conditions apply)

If you are an international student, permanent resident or do not meet the eligibility for an NCP Grant, you may still participate and be offered an RA Simpson Scholarship AUD $500 (conditions apply). If you are a Post-Graduate, commonwealth-supported student, you are eligible to apply for OS-HELP up to AUD $9,893 (conditions apply).

For more details on eligibility, see the ‘Finances’ section below.

Finances

Program Costs (Indicative)

The cost of this program is approximately AUD $4,200 which includes a non-refundable deposit of AUD $250 after committing to the program. Students will later be asked to deposit a further $1500 to pay for some group expenses once they have received their NCP grant.

The cost will cover:

Accommodation (paid for out of deposit)
Rail and Road Transport (paid for out of deposit)
Air fares (paid for by student out of NCP grant)
Most meals (paid for by student out of NCP grant)

The cost will not include:

Vaccines
Passport related expenses
Souvenirs
Optional weekend activities
Meals on weekends

*Note that these costs can be offset with a New Colombo Plan grant – as detailed below – if an applicant is successful in securing a grant

Flinders University reserves the right to alter the program cost at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by its partners.

All students that participate in this program will be covered by the university’s travel insurance. Please note this cover is limited. It is advised that you read the Flinders University Travel and Insurance schedule of benefits. Before you go, know what is covered and what is not covered.

Insurance Registration required

How to register your interest

Ask Flinders query – room in study plan

Submit an Ask Flinders query to confirm whether you have room in your study plan to take topic STEM7002in NS1, 2025.

Please note that the selection process for the NCP-funded places will be based on a written application, an unofficial student transcript, as well as an interview with candidates that will take place once applications have closed.

Expression of Interest

Once your study plan is confirmed, submit an Expression of interest to huade.guan@flinders.edu.au and tessa.lane@flinders.edu.au by 5pm day, Friday 7^th March 2025 on the application deadline. Include the following information:

First and last name
Student ID
Student email
GPA
Year level
Program name (degree)

EOI Submission

Write a 500-word EOI addressing the following question:

Why do you want to apply for this program?
How will participating in this program benefit you and your study?
What are some of the skills and/or personal attributes that you could bring to this program?