2008 International Strategic Initiatives (ISI): Monash Undergraduate Research Projects Abroad (MURPA) 

A Message Lab proposal has been successful and Monash is willing to provide a funding amount of A$28,000 for this project for 2008, with a possibility of continuation.

This proposal will build an international research experience for Monash undergraduate students (MURPA).The scheme will be trialled between the Faculty of IT at Monash and the California Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).

The proposal augments existing opportunities currently offered by Monash Abroad by supporting: 1. A new research oriented ‘summer mode’ undergraduate subject that allows students to complete a research project abroad; 2. Collaborative research between Monash academics and peers overseas; 3. A video conference based seminar stream that imports real time presentations from leading international researchers.

Our proposal builds on a successful program called the Pacific Rim Experiences for Undergraduates (PRIME) 

PRIME is currently sponsored by a NSF grant at UCSD, and allows UCSD undergraduates to take collaborative research projects at labs based in Australia, China, Taiwan and Japan. In PRIME, students work with a UCSD based mentor (typically an academic staff member) and a remote mentor provided by the host institution. This mechanism provides mentorship at both ends, and also helps build collaborations between academic staff at both institutions. Currently, students travel over the northern hemisphere summer (typically a 9 week program), allowing them to focus on their projects exclusively. Importantly, PRIME students engage in a cultural experience program in addition to their academic activities.

Over four years to date, the UCSD-Monash experience of US student research has been of great value to Message Lab, UCSD, other local and international teams and the students as the selection, induction, supervision and guidance of the students is a very strong feature of the program and the research is hands-on.