Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (Monash Malaysia)

The Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (IRC) program is a prestigious, externally-funded, invitation-only program linked to the International Conference of Undergraduate Research (ICUR). It is designed to provide you an opportunity to work together with fellow undergraduates at other world class universities.

This is a credit bearing unit which can contribute towards your degree. Visit the Unit Handbook page here.

What we do in IRC

You will work in a small multidisciplinary research team to construct a research grant proposal. Experienced professionals from academia and industry will provide interactive Masterclasses where you will receive support and guidance through the grant writing process. During the Program, you will gain unique opportunities to collaborate with fellow undergraduate peers at other world class universities in Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and North America. Following the successful completion of the Program, all research grant proposals will be reviewed and a select few will receive funding to carry out their projects.

Benefits

• Acquire and hone highly sought-after skills in research and leadership
• Develop competency and agility to work in a global, cross-cultural environment
• Identify and develop research synergies across disciplines
• Learn to write up research for different publication genres including refereed journals
• Refine your ability to communicate complex research findings and ideas to intelligent multidisciplinary audiences

Entry requirements

The IRC Program is open by only invitation to undergraduate students from all disciplinary backgrounds. To be eligible to be invited, you need to have:

• a WAM of 70 or above
• at least 48 credit points towards your degree
• a space in your degree for a six-point elective unit. If all the units for your degree are prescribed (as is the case for a Bachelor of Medical Science or a double degree), you won’t be able to enrol in the program.

If you don’t have space for an elective, you might like to take a look at our co-curricular undergraduate research opportunities such as the International Conference for Undergraduate Research (ICUR).

Enrolment process

You can’t enrol in the IRC Program using WES, due to the entry requirement. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an invitation to enrol.

To apply, drop us an email at mum.curie@monash.edu.The formal enrolment process usually opens in February.

Successful applicants will receive instructions on how to enrol in the unit once they receive an invitation. Your Course Management Office will assist with your unit enrollment.

Intensive mode expectations

The IRC Program is delivered in intensive mode. This means that within a three-week period, you'll complete the number of hours and assessments of a 12-week unit.

Students must be prepared to attend all classes and work with their research team to the equivalent of a full-time workload. You should consider carefully whether you have the time to commit to this unit before you enrol.

Research topics

We encourage students to apply their skills to the following research areas:

• social systems and cultures
• health and wellbeing
• environment and sustainability
• better governance, policy and international development
• social change, inclusion and engagement
• data, cyber security and artificial intelligence

Study Abroad students

If you are not a Monash University Malaysia student, you may still be able to enrol in the IRC Program as a fee-paying Study Abroad student.

Please visit the Study Abroad website to find out if this unit is right for you.

For more information, email us at mum.monashabroad@monash.edu.