2013 - 2014 student handbook - university of...

MASTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATISATION (ASIA PACIFIC)

2013 - 2014 STUDENT HANDBOOK

“With an intensive study curriculum, the MHRD has the breadth to make my potential bloom and broaden the horizon of my intellectual standing. This study has made me confident to stand up in the nameof elevating human rights.”

S.M. ATIA NAZNINBANGLADESH MHRD 2012 - 2013

CONTENTS

1 WELCOME 4 MHRD STEERING COMMITTEEE5 MHRD ALUMNI COORDINATOR

6 KEY INFORMATION7 PROGRAM CONTACTS8 CURRICULUM11 ACADEMIC POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS

14 FOUNDATIONAL SEMESTER15 UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

20 REGIONAL SEMESTER21 MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY26 UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA30 UNIVERSIITY OF COLOMBO32 KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAW

38 GETTING INVOLVED39 MHRD ALUMNI NETWORK39 GLOBAL SOCIAL JUSTICE NETWORK

2 SECTION HEADER

01 WELCOME

3

Dear Students,

On behalf of all the staff across the five Universities involved in the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) (MHRD) program, we would like to welcome you to this program. Now in its fourth year, the MHRD is a young but innovative degree that brings together a diverse group of students to study issues of great importance to the region: human rights and democratisation. Our previous students have gone on to work in international organisations, continued on for further study, or returned to their communities to work on the promotion and protection of human rights. In a year’s time many of you will join this Alumni, with further knowledge and skills in the area of human rights and democratisation.

You are now at the start of your journey. Over the next year you will need to work hard to complete the MHRD program. You will face different challenges, and gather a lot of experiences along the way. You will have fun, get frustrated, find some things too difficult and others too easy. For the Steering Committee, our crucial task is to make sure that while undertaking this journey, you are given the space to develop your knowledge and understanding, and, importantly, develop your capacity to contribute to human rights and democratisation in the way that you choose, whether this is by further study, or by your work and career.

You will be part of a student body that comes from many different countries and backgrounds; you will be sharing your classroom with lecturers and experts from all over the Asia Pacific; you will be engaging with a broad spectrum of issues and concerns and you will be experiencing two different universities’ campuses.

MHRD STEERING COMMITTEE

This diversity is the strength of the MHRD. The challenges it presents should not been seen as handicaps, but as great opportunities. MHRD students are exposed to the ways in which other communities live, how people learn in different settings, and even what is considered ‘knowledge’ in different societies. This results in a learning experience and knowledge environment that is more adaptable and sustainable, one that does not limit students’ horizons by anchoring learning to a single viewpoint or place. This is not to say that you will find this experience easy, as you will find yourselves in unfamiliar contexts and challenging situations. However we do hope that encountering these challenges gives you the knowledge, experience and drive to be active in working towards the development of society through the realisation of rights and the greater participation of people in democratic systems.

It is important not to forget that you will be required to contribute to your own learning process. We do not expect students to passively consume whatever their lecturers offer them; we expect them to take part by working with their fellow students and lecturers to build an understanding of human rights and democratisation. Our experience with our previous students has shown us that we learn from your ideas and inputs, and that students teach each other as they share their experiences and talk about the knowledge they are gaining. Each year the MHRD improves and stays up-to-date because of this two-way experience.

Best wishes,

MHRD Steering CommitteeUNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA (GMU), KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAW (KSL), MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

2012-13 MHRD COHORT AND STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Sydney, Australia

4 SECTION HEADER

2012 - 13 COHORT KATHMANDU

SCHOOL OF LAWKathmandu, Nepal

Photograph courtesy of Hugh Tuckfield

5

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the MHRD Alumni Association I would also like to welcome you, the fourth cohort, to one of the most exciting programs in the field of study of human rights and democratisation. By signing up for this program, you are not only undertaking another academic responsibility - you are continuing the commitment to the human rights field that your peers from previous cohorts have demonstrated.

Speaking on behalf of your fellow Alumni, our experience of the MHRD has not enabled us to turn all “wrongs into rights” in the human rights field, but the program was not meant for this. What we learnt, and are practicing, is an attempt to make a contribution towards righting these wrongs. We (and by that I mean you all too) are now part of a global community of human rights activists and defenders who are playing leadership roles in a number of national, international, regional, governmental and inter-governmental organisations as well as academia, across all regions of the world. The MHRD may not have given us the right answers to solve the problems of human rights abuses and violations, but it has enabled us to ask the right questions.

Once again I welcome you to this MHRD family and to the global community of human rights defenders and researchers. I would like to reassure you that the MHRD is going to be a truly multinational and multicultural experience for you. What makes it a unique program is its exceptional potential to bring a variety of perspectives on human rights and democratisation together under the one roof.

I wish you the very best and a successful year ahead.

Niaz Ahmed MHRD Alumni Coordinator

MHRD ALUMNI COORDINATOR

6 SECTION HEADER

02 KEY INFORMATION

7

PROGRAM CONTACTS

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY /MHRD PROJECT TEAM

Note: All general enquiries are to be directed to the MHRD Project Team

c/- Room 423, Old Teachers’ CollegeSchool of Social and Political SciencesFaculty of Arts and Social SciencesUnversity of Sydney NSW 2006 AustraliaE: [email protected]

Associate Professor Nicola PiperDirector

Dr Elisabeth Vaiiente-RiedlDeputy Director

Anna NoonanSenior Projects Manager

Georgie Wheadon Project Manager

UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA

c/- Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Department of Politics and GovernmentUniversitas Gadjah MadaJl. Socio Yusitisia 1, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281 IndonesiaE: [email protected]

Professor Dr Purwo SantosoSteering Committee member

Miftakh Adi IkhsantoSteering Committee member

Nur AzizahProgram Coordinator Internship and Dissertation Coordinator

Primi Suharmadhi PutriProgram Staff Member

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

c/- Office of Human Rights Studies and Social Development Faculty of Graduate StudiesGraduate Studies Building Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Phuttamonthon, Nakhonpathom Thailand 73170

E: [email protected]

Dr Michael Hayes Steering Committee member

Gift Jega Project Coordinator

Bencharin ChuaSteering Committee member

Kannika CherryProgram Coordinator

Matthew Mullens Internships Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

C/-Centre for the Study of Human RightsFaculty of LawUniversity of ColomboReid Avenue, Colombo 07 Sri Lanka E: [email protected]

Professor Sharya ScharenguivelSteering Committee member

Mr ThamilmaranSteering Committee member

Gehan GunatillekeProgram Coordinator and Regional Liaison Officer

KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAW

c/- Kathmandu School of LawDadhikot Road Balkot, NepalE: [email protected]

Professor Geeta Pathak SangroulaSteering Committee member

Professor Kapil Shrestha Steering Committee member

Shamin PathakProgram Coordinator,

Kapil AryalInternships and Dissertation Coordinator

8 SECTION HEADER

OVERVIEW

The MHRD consists of one foundational semester and a one-week inter-sessional intensive (July to November) at the University of Sydney and a regional semester (January to June) at one of four MHRD regional partner institutions: Mahidol University (Thailand), Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal) and the University of Colombo (Sri Lanka).

The foundational semester curriculum consists of a foundational program, made up of four core units of study:

• HRTD6901 - Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms I

• HRTD6902 - Human Rights and Democratisation Research

• HRTD6903 - Dynamics of Human Rights Violations

• HRTD6904 - Democratisation: Theory and Practice

As well as these four units, students will undertake a one-week intensive, HRTD6905 - Human Rights and Democratisation Intensive, also at the University of Sydney as an ‘inter-sessional’ subject. This intensive will provide a specific opportunity for students to engage with leading human rights experts and practitioners and take their conceptual studies in the first semester into a more practice-focussed dialogue.

The regional semester is conducted at the four regional partner universities. Students will be asked to nominate preferences for their course of study, either the:

• Dissertation Pathway: HRTD6909/6911 - Human Rights and Democratisation Dissertation OR

• Internship Pathway: HRTD6910/6912 - Human Rights and Democratisation Internship

All students will also complete two core compulsory units:

• HRTD6907 - Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms II

• HRTD6908 - Critical and Emerging Issues in the Asia Pacific.

DISSERTATION PATHWAY

The dissertation pathway offers students the opportunity to undertake supervised research in an area of specialisation pertaining to human rights and democratisation. Each student writes a 15,000 to 18,000 word thesis consisting of an original academic piece of work. The research may incorporate field research undertaken in-country while on their regional semester.

INTERNSHIP PATHWAY

The internship pathway offers students the opportunity to apply for a six week internship placement in an inter-governmental, governmental or non-governmental organisation specialising in human rights and democratisation. Unit HRDT 6910 and HRTD 6912 will give students an opportunity to immediately put into practice the knowledge acquired throughout the academic year with an aim to acquiring and improving practical work experience, establishing a dialogue between the students and the host organisation, and fostering access to the job market.

CURRICULUM

DEGREE STRUCTURE

9

FULL-TIME AND FULL-TIME EXTENSION

Different regional partners have different semester timetables. To ensure the MHRD is as equitable as possible, the degree has been structured to give students the option to complete their studies over 12 months (full-time) or 14 months (full-time extension).

The patterns of study are as follows:

• All students complete their foundational semester at the University of Sydney between July and December of the year in which they begin the degree.

• All students complete the core units for their regional semester (HRTD 6907 and HRTD 6908) at their partner university between January and April of the next year.

• Students choosing full-time candidature complete their elective units (HRTD 6910/6912 or HRTD 6909/HRTD 6911) by July 31 2014.

• Students choosing full-time extension candidature complete their elective units (HRTD 6908/6910 or HRTD 6909/HRTD 6911) by September 30 2014.

OPTIONS FOR CANDIDATURE

Students must note that different partner universities recommend different candidature options. These are listed in Table 1: Recommendations for candidature by partner universities. Also, choosing the full-time extension candidature option has implications, especially for scholarship students:

• Scholarship stipends cover 12 months of study only. Scholarship students who opt to take the full-time extension option must self-fund any study time longer than 12 months.

• Students will be eligible for graduation after the complete degree has been assessed and grades have been processed by the University of Sydney. Graduation ceremonies usually occur six months after this process has occured.

• Some partner universities require students to remain “in-country” until they complete their degree. Students must make sure they have a visa to stay in-country for any extra time.

• If students fail to submit assessments according to the deadlines prescribed to their candidature option, they will fail these subjects.

2012 - 13 COHORT UNIVERSITAS

GADJAH MADA Yogyakarta, Indonesia

10 SECTION HEADER

TABLE 1: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CANDIDATURE BY PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

UNIVERSITY ENROLMENT OPTIONS


Full-time or full-time extension is available, however:

• Students who take the internship pathway must enrol full-time. During that time, students are encouraged to stay in Indonesia until submitting their final internship reports (31 July 2013)

• Students who take the dissertation pathway may enrol for the full-time program, but will be required to stay in Indonesia until completion of the dissertation. They may also enrol for the full-time extension program. Students can leave Indonesia for fieldwork after getting written approval from their supervisor and Dissertation Coordinator. In addition, students must return to Indonesia during the second semester for a minimum of two months for intensive discussion.


Full-time or full-time extension is available.

• Students will be expected to remain in country unti July 31 if the student is enrolled full-time and September 30 if the student is enrolled in the full-time extension.

• Full-time extension students doing research that requires staying in Nepal until they finish their research need to inform the Dissertation and Internship Coordinator. Students requiring a visa extension may request KSL to facilitate this process. Early departure requires written pre-approval from the Internship and Dissertation Coordinator at KSL.

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

Full-time extension is only available.

Students going to Mahidol University should take up the full-time extension candidature. This is because of the difference between the Mahidol and the University of Sydney‘s semesters. Students will not be able to complete the administrative requirements, such as the exam, binding and other procedures, before the end of the Mahidol Summer semester (in early July). The full-time extension option does not require the student to extend their stay on campus after they complete the requirements, nor will it delay their study.


Full-time and full-time extension is available.

Students will be expected to remain in country until July 31 if the student is a full-time candidate and September 30 if the student is a full-time extension candidate.

11

KEY UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY POLICIES

Key policies at the University of Sydney are available in the ‘Student Administration Manual’ found at this link: http://sydney.edu.au/arts/current_students/

Students must complete their regional semester on time to to complete the degree and be eligible for graduation from the MHRD. Students will be enroled in ‘shell units’ at the University of Sydney for the regional semester so it is important that students complete their final dissertation and internship work on time to ensure a ‘fail’ is not recorded in the University of Sydney systems for these units of study.

The deadlines for full-time students (31 July) and full-time extension students (30 September) are subject to any provisions that a regional partner university has for extensions and the application of late penalties.

The MHRD is unique in that it offers students the opportunity to study at two universities in the Asia Pacific region. Accordingly, students must comply with the rules and policies that apply to (i) the University of Sydney during the foundational semester and (ii) the partner university to which students are allocated for the regional semester. This means during each semester, students will be required to liaise with the administrative and teaching staff at the relevant university, and to manage their studies in accordance with the university’s policies and procedures for extensions, late penalties and attendance.

Please note there are a couple of key exceptions to this rule:

• All five universities have agreed to a shared deadlines for the internship and dissertation electives (see Options for Candidature).

• All partners are committed to upholding high standards on academic honesty.

ACADEMIC POLICES AND EXPECTATIONS

COMPLYING WITH EACH UNIVERSITY’S POLICIES

MEETING YOUR DEADLINES FOR THE REGIONAL SEMESTER

2012 -13 COHORTUNIVERSITAS

GADJAH MADA Yogyakarta, Indonesia

12 SECTION HEADER

As postgraduates, students are expected to take a great deal of responsibility for their own learning and conduct during the course of this degree. This means that students are personally responsible for attending classes, actively participating in class and for submitting work according to the requirements and guidelines set out by each university. Each unit of study outline will clearly set out the expectations for the course. Any concerns or doubts should be raised with the Unit of Study Coordinator.

Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully and appropriately with their fellow students and university staff, including academics and all administrative staff. There are a large number of cultures represented in our degree and at the universities; each person will have different ways of communicating and different protocols around relationships and personal space. Therefore it is especially important that students take particular care in ensuring that they are acting respectfully with each other and with people at the universities, not making assumptions about other people, but always asking for clarification if you are unsure what they are communicating.

If you have any concerns about how you ought to be behaving or about how others are behaving around you, you should contact the Director or Student Services. It is critically important that everyone involved in the MHRD program feels comfortable and operates in an environment that is completely free of all forms of harassment or marginalisation of others.

Plagiarism is the act of cliaiming someone else’s words, ideas, diagrams or data as your own without citing or referencing the original source. Plagiarism is taken very seriously at all MHRD universities. For scholarship students, academic honesty is a condition of their scholarship. For all students, plagiarism may lead to expulsion from the program. We know that students are often tempted to plagiarise when they feel themselves under pressure and when they are having trouble with writing in English. If this happens to you, we strongly advise your to speak with your Unit of Study Coordinator to arrange the support you need.

‘TURN IT IN’ SOFTWARE

‘Turn It In’ is a ‘similarity detection’ software program that searches for matches between text in the written assessment task and text sourced from the Internet, published works and assignments that have previously been submitted to Turn It In for analysis. It produces an “originality report” showing matches with various sources, and an overall level of match or similarity index. Turn It In is a useful tool that will be used by Unit of Study Coordinator for:

• Written assignments submitted in all units of study at the University of Sydney.

• Written work submitted for the Internship and Dissertation units.

• It may also be used for written work submitted during the regional semester.

There will always be some degree of text-matching when using Turn It In. These are caused by the use of direct quotations, technical terms and phrases, and the listing of bibliographic material. This does not mean you will automatically be detected as committing plagiarism.

Further information about Turn It In is available at http://sydney.edu.au/arts/current_students/plagiarism_and_turnitin.shtml

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND CODE OF CONDUCT

PLAGARISM AND ACADEMIC HONESTY

13

Open lines of communication are essential for students to successfully manage the administrative and curriculum requirements in this cross-institutional program. MHRD project staff will need to contact students regularly on key issues such as preparations for the regional semester. Academic staff will also need to contact students regularly about their course requirements. It is essential that students provide the project staff with a ‘backup’ email address and check their University of Sydney email regularly (see below).

YOUR UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY EMAIL ADDRESS

The MHRD project team will contact students using their University of Sydney email address for the entire period of the MHRD program.

This address will also be used to relay important information such as information on graduations. Students who prefer to only use their private email account are asked to set up ‘email forwarding’ from their University of Sydney email account. Instructions to do so are found here: http://sydney.edu.au/ict/student/email-storage/redirect.shtml

TABLE 2: REFERENCING STYLES AT PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

UNIVERSITY REFERENCING STYLE

UNIVERSITAS GADJAH

MADA

No particular referencing style is specified however students must use their chosen style consistently. Most UGM lecturers use Harvard style

KATHMANDU SCHOOL

OF LAW

Has its own university style of referencing. Guide available at this link: http://www.ksl.edu.np/images/New%20Style%20Guide%20to%20Academic%20Writing%20-%2010-05-2013.pdf

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY Harvard style required

UNIVERSITY OF

COLOMBO

No particular referencing style is specified however students must use their chosen style consistently

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Generally will accept any referencing style that meets international standards however students must use their chosen style consistently. Typically each style and requirements are explained in the unit guide for each unit of study. Further information on referencing can be found at: http://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/citation

COMMUNICATION POLICY

Academic referencing is a essential skill, which students will need to master during their studies. As this degree is a cross-institutional degree, students should familiarise themselves with the relevant referencing rules that apply to both their foundational and their regional semester of study. Table 2 describes the referencing styles prefered by each regional partner.

REFERENCING STYLES

GRADUATIONS

Graduations are managed by the University of Sydney’s graduations office. Graduations are typically organised for six months after assessments are completed, assessed and processed in the University of Sydney’s systems.

Information about Graduations, as well as details on how to obtain a transcipt and copy of your certificate, are available at this link: http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/student_administration/graduations/

14 SECTION HEADER

03 FOUNDATIONAL SEMESTER

15

TABLE 3: KEY DATES FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL SEMESTER

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

SEMESTER DATES

29 JULY - 1 AUGUST 2013

Induction Week

30 JULY 2013“A Night at the Museum” MHRD, Master of Human Rights and Development Studies Students’ Welcome

5 AUGUST 2013 Classes begin

30 AUGUST 2013 Full day media workshop

30 SEPTEMBER 2013

Non-teaching week begins

11 OCTOBER 2013 Full day museum excursion

17/18 OCTOBER 2013

Workshop on interviewing

1 NOVEMBER 2013 Classes for core units of study finish

14 NOVEMBER 2013

Regional semester induction session

15 - 22 NOVEMBER 2013

HRTD 6905 Human Rights Intensive

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

DISSERTATION STUDENTS

6 SEPTEMBER 2013 Deadline for dissertation proposal brief

25 OCTOBER 2013 Deadline for dissertation proposal

INTERNSHIP STUDENTS

6 SEPTEMBER 2013 Deadline for internship proposal brief

25 OCTOBER 2013 Deadline for submission of student CVs

16 SECTION HEADER

TIMETABLE

TABLE 4: TIMETABLE FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL SEMESTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

TIME MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

10:00AM HRTD 6904TUTORIAL 2

MICHAEL HUMPHREY

HRTD 6901TUTORIAL 2

DINESH WADIWEL

STUDENTS TO KEEP FREE FOR MONTHLY COMPULSORY ACTIVITIES

10:30AM

11:00AM

11:30AM

12:00PM

12:30PM

1:00PM

1:30PM

2:00PM HRTD6902LECTURE

ELISABETH VALIENTE- RIEDL

HRTD6902 TUTORIAL 2


2:30PM

3:00PM

3:30PM HRTD6902 TUTORIAL 1


4:00PM HRTD6901LECTURE

DINESH WADIWEL

4:30PM

5:00PM HRTD 6904LECTURE

MICHAEL HUMPHREY

HRTD6903LECTURE

NICOLA PIPER5:30PM HRTD6901 TUTORIAL 1

DINESH WADIWEL

HRTD6903TUTORIAL 2

NICOLA PIPER6:00PM

6:30PM HRTD 6904TUTORIAL 1

MICHAEL HUMPHREY

HRTD6903TUTORIAL 1

NICOLA PIPER7:00PM

7:30PM

Table4 describes the foundational semester timetable. Students only need to attend 1 tutorial for each Unit of Study. This will be pre-assigned by the University timetabling system except for HRTD6902, where tutorials will be assigned by the Unit Coordinator.

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ASSESSMENT DEADLINES

Table 5 describes the foundational semester assessment deadlines.

TABLE 5: ASSESSMENT DEADLINES FOR THE FOUNDATIONAL SEMESTER AT THE UNIVERSTY OF SYDNEY

MONTH WEEK MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

JULY / AUGUST

1 29 INDUCTION

30 INDUCTION

31 INDUCTION WEEK

1 INDUCTION WEEK

2

2 5 CLASSES BEGIN

6 7 8 9

3 12 13 14 15 16

4 19 20 21 22 23

5 26 27 28 HRTD6902 LITERATURE ANALYSIS DUE

29 30 FULL DAY MEDIA WORKSHOP

SEPTEMBER 6 2 3 4 5 6

7 9 10 11 HRTD6904 MINOR ESSAY DUE

12HRTD6902 PRESENTATIONS

13

HRTD6902 PRESENTATIONS

8 16DISSERTATIONPROPOSAL BRIEFS DUE

17 18HRTD6901 ESSAY

19HRTD6902 PRESENTATIONS

20

HRTD6902 PRESENTATIONS

9 23 24 25 26 27

- 30NON TEACHING WEEK

1 NON TEACHING WEEK

2NON TEACHING WEEK

3NON TEACHING WEEK

4NON TEACHING WEEK

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

10 7LABOUR DAY (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)

8 9 10 11FULL DAY MUSEUM EXCURSION

11 14 15HRTD6901 SIMULATION

16 17HALF DAY HUMAN RIGHTS METHODS WORKSHOP

18FULL DAY HUMAN RIGHTS METHODS WORKSHOP

12 21 22HRTD6901 SIMULATION

23 24 25

18 SECTION HEADER

1. WORKSHOP: “EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN CURRENT MEDIA PRACTICE: REALITY OR DELUSION?”

Date: 30 August 2013 (all day)

Synopsis: This workshop explores the relationships between knowledge and information in the treatment of ethnic and human rights issues by the media. It explores the processes involved in investigating, gathering and analysing evidence, the knowledge acquired and its dissemination. It looks at information as an abstract concept, a sensory experience in which truth-values depend on the interpretation made by the broker; in this case the communicator - journalist or commentator. Using case studies collected over four decades in Southeast Asia, students will compare the use of knowledge and information, and the evolution of their relationships in the complex discourse of news reporting and public communication.

Tutor biography: Jonathan Bogais is Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Social and Political Sciences, Department of Sociology & Social Policy at the University of Sydney. He is an analyst, social scientist, and strategic adviser in human rights, ethnicity, and conflict analysis and resolution, specialising in Southeast Asian and Pacific affairs. Merging over three decades as a bilingual foreign correspondent and senior analyst (French/English) working mostly in Southeast Asia, with a background in social sciences (Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology - Paris, Sorbonne, 1984), he has acquired considerable cross-disciplinary experience in areas of conflict, human rights, ethnicity, violence and identity. He has been involved in several international missions, advised delegations and participated in negotiations. He also has experience teaching in these areas. His current focus is on knowledge utilisation. He has a United Nations mandate to investigate knowledge utilisation models to improve the interaction between research utilisation and evidence-based practice, especially in areas of conflict.

Note: Extra curricula activities are mandatory but will not be assessed.

2. HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE MUSEUM EVENT

Date: 11 October 2013 (all day)

Synopsis:

a) Morning: visit to Sydney Jewish Museum

b) Afternoon: seminar on “The Holocaust, Human Rights and the Contemporary Museum”

Tutor biographies: This day is organised by Associate Professor Jennifer Barrett and Dr Avril Alba.

Jennifer Barrett was appointed to the University of Sydney in 2000. Her recent administrative positions at the University of Sydney include Pro Dean (2010) Associate Dean Postgraduate Coursework (2007-2009) and Deputy Chair of Postgraduate Matters (2008-2009) and Director of Museum Studies since 2001, which also has partnership with Hong Kong University. She has also held positions in art history and cultural studies at the School of Cultural Histories and Futures at the University of Western Sydney. Her recent work includes Museums and the Public Sphere (Wiley Blackwell 2011 and 2012); a co-authored monograph (with Jacqueline Millner) Australian Artists and Museums (forthcoming with Ashgate 2012) and ‘Museums Human Rights and Universalism’ in eds., A. Witcomb and K. Message Museum theory: an expanded field (Wiley- Blackwell, 2012). Her current research explores museums, human rights, universalism and the international public sphere.

Prior to joining the Department of Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies in 2012, Avril Alba was the Education Director at the Sydney Jewish Museum where she also served as the Project Director/Curator for the refurbishment of the museum’s permanent exhibition Culture and Continuity: Journey through Judaism. Her doctoral thesis, currently under preparation for publication as book-length monograph, explored the largely unexamined topic of museums as sacred spaces. At present, Avril is undertaking research into Holocaust memory in its broader context and in particular the efficacy of this memory in the Australian public sphere.

EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES

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3. PRACTICUM IN HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Dates: 17 October (half day) and 18 October (full day)

Synopsis: This two-day workshop will focus on skills essential to human rights field research, from problem analysis to interviewing skills to other means of obtaining and analysing human rights data. Students will work in groups to analyse a research problem and map it out in terms of legal elements, advocacy strategy, and preparation in the field. After focusing on interviewing skills and other means of data collection, the class will discuss ethical issues inherent in this type of research, as well as self-care for both the research subject and the researcher.

Tutor biography: Dinah Pokempner is the General Counsel of Human Rights Watch, an international human rights research and advocacy organisation that does in-depth reporting on more than 90 countries around the world. She has conducted field research in Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea, and former Yugoslavia; directs Human Rights Watch’s participation in litigation; trains its research staff in human rights law; manages corporate governance and writes regularly on various human rights topics.

UNIT OF STUDY DESCRIPTION

The intensive unit (HRTD 6905) will bring students together with human rights and democratisation practitioners from the Asia Pacific region and beyond to provide a focused engagement with issues of critical concern. Topics for the intensive will change annually subject to contemporary trends. The unit emphasises the translation of theory to practice and asks students to engage with the practicalities of application and importance of context. Examples of topics are: national human rights institutions, migrations and refugees and development.

TEACHING STAFF

The Unit of Study Coordinator is Dr Susan Banki. In addition to invited guest lecturers, instructors from each of the regional partner institutions also feature in the teaching program.

THEME

In 2013 the intensive will focus on the ‘right to food’. The program will be delivered on a full-time schedule from Friday 15 November to Friday 22 November 2013.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATISATION INTENSIVE

2011 -12 COHORTUNIVERSITY OF SYDNEYSydney, Australia

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The University of Sydney offers MHRD students a range of support services including:

• Accommodation

• Careers and job assistance

• Counselling and wellbeing services

• Healthcare including doctors on-campus

• Chaplains and multifaith services.

Information about these services is available by following this link: http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/student_services/

Important University of Sydney deadlines that MHRD students should also take note of are available at: http://sydney.edu.au/arts/future_students/important_dates.shtml

20 SECTION HEADER

04 REGIONAL SEMESTER

21

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

TABLE 6: KEY DATES FOR THE REGIONAL SEMESTER AT MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

SEMESTER DATES

6 JANUARY 2014 Classes begin

14 APRIL 2014 Classes finish


30 APRIL 2014 Deadline for thesis proposal defence

31 JULY 2014 Deadline for thesis defence

INTERNSHIP STUDENTS

30 APRIL 2014 Deadline for thesis proposal defence

31 JULY 2014 Deadline for thesis defense

31 JULY 2014 Deadline for thematic defence

ALL STUDENTS

30 SEPTEMBER 2014

Full-time extension submission deadline for elective assignments

ARRIVING AT MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

Every international student is required to report themselves and to register for enrolment at Mahidol University immediately upon arrival. Students should follow the following steps:

1. Report to the Student Admissions Section, 2nd floor, Graduate Studies Building, Mahidol University (Salaya Campus).

2. Verify your personal data on the Student Data Form (GR 11a), make corrections if an error is found, and fill in any incomplete data.

3. Complete the following forms:

• Agreement on Intellectual Property Right.

• Letter of Intent.

• Student Health Record Form.

• Insurance Form (provided by the insurance company) (For foreign students only).

VISAS

Foreign students require a Non-Immigrant Visa to reside in Thailand. Prospective students should apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in their home country before coming to Thailand. It is also possible to arrive on a Tourist or Transit Visa and change it to a Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand. Although Thailand allows many nationalities to enter for one month without a visa, those arriving in Thailand without a visa will need to leave the country in order to obtain the required Non-Immigrant Visa.

Applying for a visa

Students need a ‘Non-Immigrant ED Visa’. To apply, submit the following at a Thai Embassy/Consulate:

• Passport valid for at least six months.

• Completed visa application form (available at the Embassy/Consulate).

• Two recent passport photos (4 x 6cm).

• Official letter from Mahidol Faculty/Institute/College requesting a visa.

• 2,000 baht for single entry and 5,000 baht for multiple entries visa fee.

Students may also need to provide documentation certifying that sufficient funds are available for their studies.

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Applying for a visa extension

The initial Non-Immigrant ED Visa is likely to be valid for only 90 days, requiring a visa extension that allows stay in Thailand up to a year from the initial visa issuance date. (From then on the visa can be renewed annually). To apply, submit the following at the Immigration Bureau (IB) in Bangkok (see address below):

• Valid passport, with one photocopy.

• Official letter from Mahidol University Faculty/Institute/College attesting to student/staff status.

• Current Registration Payment Receipt.

• One recent passport photo (4 x 6cm).

• Completed visa extension form TM.7.

• 1,900 baht visa extension fee.

Registering every 90 days

All foreigners staying long term in Thailand must notify the IB of their place of residence every 90 days. To register submit the following at the IB:

1. Valid passport.

2. Completed ‘90 Day Report Form’.

3. Receipt from the previous 90 Day registration (if any).

Registering every 90 days is fairly simple, quick - and free. Registration is allowed from one week before to one week after the exact day marking 90 days in the country.

Note: the IB charges late registrations a 2,000 baht fine after the deadline.

Changing a Tourist/Transit Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa

Those arriving on a 60-day Tourist Visa or Transit Visa can change it to a Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand, although this must be done with at least 30 days validity left on the visa as the process may take that long. To apply, submit a valid passport, an official letter from a Mahidol University Faculty/Institute/College attesting to student/staff status and the proper application form at the IB. Students should change to a ‘Non-Immigrant ED Visa’.

Overstaying a visa Be aware that overstaying a visa can become very expensive; a fine of 500 baht per day is charged and possibly an additional fine. Thus any official documents needed from any department at MU should be requested far in advance of any deadline.

Applying for a re-entry Permit

To travel outside Thailand before the Non-Immigrant Visa expires, it is necessary to get a re-entry permit in order to re-enter the country and use the time remaining on the visa or else the visa will be automatically cancelled. To apply submit the following:

• Valid passport, with one photocopy.

• One passport photo (4 X 6 cm).

• Re-entry application form T.M.8.

• 1,000 baht for single re-entry and 3,800 baht for multiple.

Note: a re-entry permit may be obtained more than once, in the case of repeated travel outside Thailand.

Finding the Immigration Bureau

The address of the IB in is:

Immigration Bureau (Nakhonpathom)

52/11 Moo. 2 Soi Raiking14,

Raiking Road, Samphan,

Nakhonpathom 73210

Tel: 034-318996-7

Website: www.immigration.go.th and http://nakhonpathom.immigration.go.th

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation options in Bangkok include buses, taxis, trains, tuk-tuks, river ferries, the BTS Sky train, monorail system, motorcycle taxis, vans, and subway. Although road traffic is often heavy, transportation is easy to find and inexpensive. Visit the website www.into-asia.com for in-depth information on transportation in Bangkok.

LIVING EXPENSES

Expect to spend about 10,000 - 20,000 baht per month for living expenses, including accommodation. Prices vary widely and living costs depend largely on whether one shops in cheap markets or ritzy shopping malls, eats at home, at street stalls or fancy restaurants etc.

EATING

There are many nice, affordable eateries both on- and off-campus. The main cafeteria has a large selection of Thai rice and noodle dishes costing 20 - 30 baht and inexpensive

23

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY CAMPUSSalaya, Thailand

drinks. Snack food is available at convenience stores. Not far away the College of Sports Science and Technology runs a bakery café. Many university buildings also have smaller, inexpensive cafeterias, and small snack shops and food stalls are dotted around campus as well.

COMPUTERS AND INTERNET

Each academic department on Salaya Campus has its own computer lab and the Office of the President has a computer lab on the ground floor with over 100 computers equipped with high-speed Internet connections. Computers with Internet connections are also available in campus libraries, and each campus dormitory room provides network access.

Internet Account: Students are required to pay 300 baht as part of their registration fees for Internet and Intranet access and a 10-megabyte email account. A Mahidol University identification card must be presented to use the computer labs. MUCC also provides free basic computer training to account holders, but in the Thai language only. More details are available on MUCC’s website at www.cc.mahidol.ac.th.

SPORT AND RECREATION FACILITIES

The College of Sports Science and Technology has five swimming pools (one Olympic-sized) and a fitness center with weight equipment, sauna and aerobics, available for use by students, staff and the general public. Annual membership for using only swimming pools costs 200 baht for students and 400 baht for staff, allowing use of the pools for 20 baht per visit. To use all health, fitness, and exercise equipment, students and staff are required to apply for membership at SS Sports Centre of various types such as three months, six months and one year. For price details, please visit the centre’s website at www.ss.mahidol.ac.th. or call 0-2441-4296-8 ext. 103. A medical certificate,

easily and inexpensively available from any doctor, is required for membership. Proper swimming attire and a bathing cap must be worn while swimming. Swimming equipment can be purchased at a shop near the pools.

Additional sport facilities, all free of charge, include a large indoor stadium for basketball, badminton and other indoor sports, four outdoor tennis courts, three large soccer fields, a volleyball court, a pétanque court and a running track. Bookings should be made to reserve the courts and the stadium at the window on the outside wall of the stadium. The spacious layout of the campus also allows much opportunity for jogging, cycling or exercise.

SHOPPING

Several stores on campus offer a variety of basic necessities and student supplies. The University Cooperative Store in the Student Union complex stocks groceries, personal and household products, gifts and assorted items. Nearby are convenience stores and the University Bookstore, which sells textbooks, school supplies, newspapers, sports equipment, Mahidol University souvenirs and similar items (teaching staff holding a Mahidol identity card receive a 10% discount; student discounts are also occasionally offered). Lively weekly markets are held all day every Friday outside the College of Sports Science and Technology and the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies near the Student Union. The markets feature food stalls and a wide variety of goods, especially clothing. A stationery store with computer supplies is on the ground floor of the Faculty building. Special Mahidol events held throughout the year often feature markets as well.

Off-campus, the commercial district across Phuttamonthon 4 Road in front of the campus has many shops and restaurants. Shopping for major items and groceries can be conveniently done in the Pinklao

24 SECTION HEADER

area (west of the Chao Phraya River, approximately 25-30 minutes from Salaya by blue bus No. 124). Pinklao houses the large Pata Department Store and Major Cineplex and Central Plaza shopping complexes.

OTHER SERVICES

Other services on campus include a beauty salon and comic book store on the ground floor of the student dormitory No. 10, the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies building. Also the copying services shop is available in many buildings and libraries.

ACCOMMODATION

Numerous accommodation options are available at Salaya Campus, both on- and off-campus, including shared housing, private flats or condos, and boarding houses.

When searching for an apartment, note the following:

Rent Average monthly rent is about 3,500-6,500 baht for a 20-30 square meter, furnished single room with air conditioning, bathroom and perhaps a balcony. Most apartments require an advance deposit of two or three months’ rent.

Security Although most apartment buildings have security guards, it pays to be extra careful. In addition to a built-in lock, most apartment doors have a metal ring for an extra padlock that should definitely be used.

Telephone Telephone service varies from place to place, though a surcharge of 100 baht per month is standard. Most apartments do not have a direct line; individual local calls usually can be made for five baht flat rate and often have a time limit, about ten minutes on average. Calls to mobile phones and long distance cost more. International calls are often not possible in apartments, but they can be made at an international public phone booth and post office, or by using an international phone card or a mobile phone. Mobile phones are popular in Thailand and are available at moderate costs.

Utilities Most apartment buildings will add a surcharge to the electricity bill of about 5 baht per unit. The electricity bill can be very high if air-conditioning is used regularly. Expect to pay around 600 baht per month for electricity (without excessive air-conditioning) and around 100 baht per month for water for a one-room apartment. A cost-saving option in this regard is to buy a fan (about 500 to 700 baht).

LaundryCoin-operated washing machines are common in apartment buildings. Many private services are also available, charging by item or a flat rate per month, which can be more economical. Note that hand washing is common for many Thais, and clothes dry very fast under the Thailand sun.

Furnishings The definition of ‘fully furnished’ varies widely. A good fully furnished room provides a bed, telephone, desk, chair, wardrobe, and possibly a refrigerator, television or cable service, sometimes with English language channels.

Note: Students have to pay two to three months’ deposit plus one month rental fee in advance. The cost of electricity and water is not included.

GETTING TO SALAYA

Salaya is located 20 km from the center of Bangkok and is linked to the cosmopolitan life of Thailand’s capital city by a modern expressway, which makes it an idyllic location for students who want to commute on a daily basis and for those who want to live among the scenic beauty and calm of Salaya.

2011-12 COHORT

25

HEALTH CARE

Mahidol University is one of a few universities in the world with three Faculties of Medicine providing professional medical treatment for the public. Mahidol University students are covered by the Mahidol health insurance plan (students through their registration fee) which partially reimburses medical expenses. Medical expenses in Thailand are relatively low, so out-of-pocket expenses are minimal in most cases.

The insurance covers treatment at Mahidol University’s Siriraj Hospital at Bangkok Noi Campus, or Ramathibodi Hospital and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases at Phayathai Campus, or the Golden Jubilee Medical Center at Salaya Campus or the Faculty of Dentistry’s Dental Clinic at Phayathai Campus. Students must pay at the time of treatment with reimbursement afterward. Students can also use free Student Health Centers located at the Student Union complex, or a specialised Sport Clinic at the College of Sports Science and Technology, both staffed by nurses, with scheduled visiting hours by medical doctors, offering basic treatment for medical problems.

Mahidol’s three hospitals and medical center are full-time in- and outpatient facilities serving the general public, and as such can be visited at any time, although it is better to arrive early in the day for walk-in visits. The Faculty of Dentistry’s Dental Clinic is open 8:30am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 3:00pm weekends, except for national holidays. New patients must register at the reception counter, open at 7:30am in the Faculty of Dentistry building on Phayathai Campus. It is advisable to arrive early for priority service.

Note: Services provided by special clinics, will not be reimbursed.

LIBRARY

Human Rights Resource Center (Library)

The Center for Human Rights Studies and Social Development runs the Human Rights Resource Center (Library) to serve its students as well as others who are interested in academic materials on human rights, peace, and development. Bibliographical references of books in our library can be accessed online via the University’s e-library webpage. There are currently more than 5,000 holdings in the Human Rights Resource Center. Most of them are related to human rights, politics, democracy, law, peace and conflict. Additionally, the Library subscribes to 18 journals; both printed and online versions are available.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8.30 am- 4.30pm. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Thailand’s Public Holidays

Other MU Libraries

The Central Library is the hub of the Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. It contains an extensive collection of over 1 million books, theses, research reports and bound journals; 1,500 printed journals; 15,000 electronic journals and 16,000 electronic books; 13,000 audiovisual materials; a number of computer terminals and multimedia viewing equipment; a full range of specialized services including online reference services, multi-database searching and document delivery services.

Ten other branch libraries are linked to the Central Library by the computer database MULINET, of which 6 are located on Salaya Campus, at the Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Institute for Population and Social Research, Institute of Language and Culture for Rural Development, Institute of Nutrition, ASEAN Institute for Health Development and Ratchasuda College.

All staff and students can gain access to all library facilities by showing their Mahidol University identity card. Information on all branch library opening hours and resources can be found on the Central Library’s website at www.li.mahidol.ac.th

Opening hours: Semester: Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 7.00pm; Saturday 9.00am. – 5.00pm. Summer: Monday – Friday: 8.30am –4.30pm; Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm. Sundays & Public Holidays closed.

26 SECTION HEADER

VISA INFORMATION

Applying for visas to Indonesia take more than a month, so UGM starts applications earlier. The following documents need to be sent to UGM no later than early September:

• A recommendation letter.

• A letter proving financial support.

• A ‘red background’ passport photograph.

• A statement of good health.

• Copy of passport.

• Copy of academic record.

• Completed admission form from UGM (will be sent to each student once UGM get their name and contact details).

Once these documents have been collected UGM will issue the Letter of Acceptance as a formal acknowledgement that the students are enroled in the Master of Political Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada.

UGM will then apply for student’s study permit to the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. After the study permit has been issued, it will be used for applying for student visa recommendation letter (Telex Visa). Once the Telex Visa is issued, it will be an essential document to apply for ‘stay permit’ (VITAS). This can be done at the Indonesian Embassy in Sydney only. We expect that the processes will be done by the end of November.

UGM kindly requests that students finish their formalities before leaving Sydney for their home country or Indonesia. Students are strongly recommended not to book a flight ticket to Indonesia before the visa authorization process is done. As for the payment in getting the telex visa, the program will cover all of the cost for scholarship students.

ACCOMODATION INFORMATION

UGM does not have a special dormitory for foreign students. Students are offered with various choices of local dormitory (“Kos” or “kos-kosan”). Most of these kos are owned privately, with the various range of price per month depends on the location, facilities and size of room. These local dormitories are also surrounded by many kinds of warung (small restaurant for students with cheap prices).

Table 8 lists examples of kos/kos-kosan. Each place has the same facilities such as personal bathroom, full furnishings, TV, Internet/wi-fi and AC, and in some, additional facilities such as laundry service or personal refrigerator.


TABLE 7: KEY DATES FOR THE REGIONAL SEMESTER AT UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA

SEMESTER DATES

3RD WEEK OF DECEMBER Students arrive

2ND WEEK OF JANUARY Three day orientation

2ND - 4TH WEEK OF JANUARY

Classes begin - HRTD 6907 Human

Rights Norms and Mechanisms II

2ND - 3RD WEEK OF FEBRUARY

HRTD 6908 Critical and Emerging

Issues in the Asia Pacific


4TH WEEK OF FEBRUARY

Examination/defense of dissertation proposals

1ST WEEK OF MARCH - 4TH WEEK OF JUNE (OR BASED ON DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION)

Dissertation writing

INTERNSHIP STUDENTS

4TH WEEK OF FEBRUARY Internship preparation

1ST WEEK OF MARCH – 2ND WEEK OF APRIL

Internship placement

2ND WEEK OF APRIL – 4TH WEEK OF JULY (OR BASED ON DEADLINE OF SUBMISSION)

Internship report writing

ALL STUDENTS

31 JULY 2014 Full-time submission deadline for elective assignments

30 SEPTEMBER 2014


27

KEY RESOURCES

UGM will provide key resources/facilities for MHRD students as for any other students:

• The lecturers for MHRD program in UGM are not from Political Sciences departments, the International Relations departments and the Law Faculty. Some practioners/activists from Human Rights non-government organisation and officials are also invited to some classes.

• Libraries are available for use including the UGM Central Library (ugm.ac.id), the Faculty of Political and Social Science’s Library (pusfisip.ugm.ac.id), and the Political Sciences Department’s library.

All student support services also available for MHRD students such as:

• Campus bikes.

• The Gadjah Mada Health Center.

• Internet connection/Wi-Fi.

• Cafetarias.

TABLE 8: RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

NEAR UGM

NAME AND DETAILS

WISMA MM UGM http://housing.mmugm.ac.idJl. ColomboRate per month for a single room: Rp 2.500.000Rate per month for a double room: Rp 3.200.000

GRIYO SENDOWOhttp://www.infokost.com/2012/01/griyo-sendowo-kost-eksklusif-yogyakarta.htmlJl Sendowo Blok D/71, SlemanJogja Rates start from Rp.2.000.000 – Rp 2.500.000

PONDOK BOUGENVILLEJl. Flamboyan, Deresan Rates start from Rp 1.500.000 (for males) and Rp. 1.800.000 (for females and couples)

D’PARAGON KOST EKSLUSIF JOGJAhttp://dparagon.com/dparagon-flamboyan-yogyakarta/Jl Flamboyan, DeresanRates start from Rp 125.000/daily and and Rp 1.750.000/monthly

UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA CAMPUSYogyakarta, Indonesia

28 SECTION HEADER

RIGHT: 2012-13 COHORT

KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAWKathmandu, Nepal


BOTTOM:2011-12 COHORT

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEYSydney, Australia

29

2012 - 2013 COHORT KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAWKathmandu, NepalPhotograph courtesy of Hugh Tuckfield

2011 - 2012 COHORTUNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA Yogyakarta, Indonesia

30 SECTION HEADER

TABLE 9: KEY DATES FOR THE REGIONAL SEMESTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

SEMESTER DATES

16 JANUARY

2014Semester begins

27 JUNE 2014 Semester finishes

INTERNSHIP STUDENTS

3 MARCH - 3 JUNE 2014 Tentative internship placement dates

ALL STUDENTS

31 JULY 2014 Full-time submission deadline for all elective assignments

30 SEPTEMBER 2014


VISA INFORMATION

Phase 1 – While students are in Sydney

The following information and documents need to be sent

to the MHRD Colombo Coordinator by 20 September 2013:

a. Information

• Full name (as stated in passport).

• Date of birth.

• Country of birth.

• Nationality.

• Passport number.

• Date of issue (passport).

• Date of expiry (passport) – the student must ensure that his/her passport is valid at least until December 2014.

b. Documents

• Copy of main page of passport and other pages relating to extension of and amendments to passport (copies must be clear).

• Offer letter from the University of Sydney.

The Coordinator will obtain visa approval from the Controller of Immigration and Emigration (Sri Lanka) and forward the approval letter to the student. The Controller of Immigration and Emigration will fax the Sri Lankan Consulate in Sydney the visa approval letter.

The students should then apply for an entry visa at the Sri Lankan Consulate in Sydney. The application form will be available at the Consulate. The visa will be stamped on the students’ passports.

When applying for an entry visa, students must hand over the following additional documents:

• A copy of the approval letter faxed to the Sri Lankan Consulate in Sydney by the Controller of Immigration and Emigration bearing the student’s name.

• A copy of a letter of invitation from the University of Colombo confirming the student’s enrolment in the second semester at the University of Colombo. *The MHRD Colombo Coordinator will facilitate this process.


31

Phase 2 – While students reach Colombo

The following documents need to be submitted for student visas within one month of arrival in Sri Lanka:

• A valid passport

• A duly completed Residence Visa (student category) Form in two copies (see attached Form ‘A’)

• Two passport size photographs

• The relevant visa fee (approximately AUD 150)

• A copy of the entry visa approval letter from the Controller of Immigration and Emigration

• A letter from the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo (sent through the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo; endorsed by the University Grants Commission and by the Ministry of Higher Education) to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration. *The MHRD Colombo Coordinator will facilitate this process.

Students will have to be present for an interview at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo before the student visa is granted. Note: The entry visa will be valid for one month only. Students will need to apply for the student visa before the expiration of one month.

For further questions, please contact Gehan Gunatilleke, MHRD Colombo Coordinator on [email protected] or on +94 777414189.

ACCOMMODATION:

Since there is no university accommodation provided, the Centre for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR) will prepare a list of contacts for accommodation owners. They will give these contacts to the students who can select their accommodation. In 2013, the cost of accommodation was approximately LKR 25,000 - 30,000 per student. Generally students have to pay a refundable bond of one month’s rent in advance.

Until they find a suitable place, the CSHR will reserve temporary accommodation for students at a reasonable price.

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

• The CSHR library is free to use. The CSHR will pay for the reference facility of the main library of the University of Colombo.

• If the students wish to borrow books, they will have to pay a refundable deposit of LKR 5000.

• The CSHR will provide hard copies of all necessary readings.

SUPPORT SERVICES

• Wifi is available and free at the CSHR premises.

• Printing and photocopying can be done at the University computer centre at a reasonable price.

• Students can buy stationery from the University bookshop. A post office, banks and souvenir shops are within walking distance.

• There are a variety of restaurants close to the University of Colombo.

• The University of Colombo is situated closer to the main road where buses are running. There are also plenty of metered tuk-tuks available.

UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO CAMPUSColombo, Sri Lanka

32 SECTION HEADER

TABLE 10: KEY DATES FOR THE REGIONAL SEMESTER AT THE KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAW

SEMESTER DATES

2 FEBRUARY 2014 Semester begins

4 - 6 FEBRUARY 2014 Orientation and introductory session

CLASS TIMETABLE

TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

1 - 4pm each day

ALL STUDENTS

31 JULY 2014 Full-time submission deadline for elective assignments

30 SEPTEMBER 2014


VISA INFORMATION

According to Immigration law of Nepal, any foreign nationals willing to stay in Nepal can obtain 15-day, 30-day, and 90-day entry visas within one year. KSL has received advice from the Immigration Department that MHRD students should obtain a 30-day visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. This visa can be extended for 150 days later on, Nepal’s Immigration Department has issued a letter to KSL mentioning the availability of 30 days on arrival visa to MHRD students at the airport. KSL will manage the extension of this visa later on. Due to these visa arrangements, the MHRD Nepal Coordination Committee has decided to ensure the regional semester is completed at within five months, i.e. by 25th May 2013. All the presentations will be arranged online (preferably through Skype).

An original and translated copy of the letter issued by Nepal’s Immigration Department will be sent to the students prior to their arrival. Students should attach the original letter along with their visa application form. They should also carry a valid passport, photocopies of their passport, passport size photographs and $40 US or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto to obtain a 30 day multiple entry visa. Note that no visa fee shall be applicable to the passport holder of member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for 30 days period, and Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal.

Further information can be obtained from Nepal’s Immigration Department’s website http://www.immi.gov.np/visa/provisional-visa-arrangement-fee.

ACCOMODATION

Accommodation will be arranged for students at Bhaktapur Guest House or at rented apartments, depending on what students prefer.

The Bhaktapur Guest House is located 12 kilometres from Kathmandu and 4 kilometres from Kathmandu School of Law. Rooms have attached bathrooms, hot water and electricity will normally be available (including through generator back up). The details are:

Bhaktapur Guest House Chundevisthan, Katunje, Bhaktapur, Bagmati zone, Nepal. Telephone: +97701 6610670 or +977 01 6614670 Fax: +977 01 6612325 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.bghouse.com.np


33

Students must clear all their private bills which are not covered by the MHRD program, such as extra food and beverages other than the buffet, private telephone etc, before departing their accommodation.

MEALS

Students staying at KSL accommodation can cook food on their own or can take from KSL cafeteria. Students staying at Bhaktapur Guest House need to inform the hotel person about how they will arrange food.

ENROLMENT

The students will be enrolled as per KSL’s rules and need to fill in the ‘blue form’ at KSL administration. Students will be provided with a student identity card and library card. Students must bring four ‘pp-sized’ and four ‘auto-sized’ photographs with them at enrolment.

Enrolment will be held at: Administration Block, Professor Durbar Bar Singh Thapa Building, Block E, 1st Floor with the Sttudent Welfare and Administrative Officer: Ms Sudha K.C.

2012-13 COHORTKATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAWKathmandu, NepalPhotograph courtesy of Hugh Tuckfield

TRANSPORTATION

Students must arrange their own transportation. Local transportation can be easily available at a cost of around 10 Nepalese Rupees. However, if students collectively agree to pay KSL for transportation, KSL may arrange for transportation facilities.

ARRIVAL IN NEPAL

A representative of KSL will greet students when they arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, and take them to their pre-arranged accommodation. Students are requested to look for their name, or “KSL” on a sign as they exit the airport. If no-one is there to meet you, please call the KSL office.

KSL FACILITIES

A separate classroom for MHRD students has been arranged. KSL will provide two desktops at the student room (‘Students’ Cabin’) and students can use their laptops also. The classroom is located in Block A, Second Floor, ‘MHRD Program’ room.

34 SECTION HEADER

Lectures will be generally held at KSL. KSL has a good library collection of Nepalese materials and enough international and comparative materials, much of which is in English (all instruction of Nepalese students at KSL is conducted in English). Students are encouraged to visit and use the library and IT Centre. Photocopying and printing facilities are available upon taking permission from the IT Centre.

Internet facilities can be accessed from Students’ Cabin and IT Center. Students are also encouraged to feel free to work at IT Centre.

There is an undercover canteen at KSL which provides a range of snacks and a variety of meals.

The KSL academic year will be in session during the program and you will have the opportunity to meet many students, all of whom speak good English.

KSL students are very welcoming and cooperative. You may want to take business cards or make some up, to give to students and people you meet.

TRAVEL IN NEPAL

Travel around Kathmandu and within Nepal for field activities will be coordinated by KSL. KSL can assist in arranging airport transfers if students are leaving Nepal after the program finishes, or onward taxis if they are staying on. Please leave the hotel three hours prior to your flight departure time.

Travelling Independently Around Nepal

Studenys can travel around Kathmandu by metered taxi, an inexpensive and safe means of transport. Taxis are identifiable by their signs and their white-on-black license plates. Make sure that the meter is turned on. Bicycle rickshaws are common in the old part of Kathmandu and can be a good way of making short trips through the crowded and narrow streets. Fares are negotiated in advance. Buses are the main form of public transport throughout Nepal and they are incredibly cheap but not very comfortable.

Be aware that road transport safety standards are not equivalent to those generally experienced in students’ home countries, and the risks increase when travelling at night, particularly in mountainous areas. Particularly outside Kathmandu, note also that strikes can occur unexpectedly and for, resulting in the blocking of roads for unpredictable, protracted periods. Be aware of personal safety and security. It is recommended that students travel in pairs if they are taking public transport or taxis.

LUGGAGE AND ADDITIONAL ADVICE

Luggage

The roads and footpath surfaces are frequently unpaved and hence potentially damaging to the wheels of luggage. Accordingly, a backpack or luggage that you can carry may be preferable. In addition to students’ main baggage, it is a good idea to bring a smaller back-pack for day trips (i.e. to carry notes and reading materials, camera, laptop, water etc).

Clothing and Shoes

The months of January and February are quite cold in

Nepal, between 0°C and 19°C in January and 2°C and 20°C in February. Sometimes slight snow fall may occur in the month of January. Students should pack warm clothing (including gloves, scarf, beanie etc), a waterproof jacket, and a small umbrella. Make sure to wear appropriate, sturdy, waterproof footwear (for hiking) and warm socks. Please note that some clothing may not be culturally appropriate. Students should avoid wearing revealing clothes (i.e., low cut or sleeveless tops, short skirts or shorts or anything overly tight). They will need to wear long sleeves and pants during organisational visit.

Toiletries and medication

If students need to travel with prescription medication, they are to ensure take enough to last the duration of their trip and to bring the prescriptions in case they are questioned at the border.

Toiletries are logistically difficult to locate so it is advisable that students take everything they need such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, tampons and sanitary napkins etc. Liquid soap and moist towelettes / cleansing wipes can also be useful if bathroom facilities are not ideal.

Mild Altitude Sickness (AMS) might affect some individuals upon arrival in Nepal even before any activities are undertaken. The symptoms are quite similar to a hangover i.e. headache, nausea, and fatigue, and there are varying levels of affliction. If you develop AMS, you should take this as a warning sign that you are at risk of the serious forms of altitude sickness. As a precaution, you may wish to consult medical practitioner in case he/she advises you to take specific medication/s for AMS prior to the trip.

Other equipment

Electrical devices (laptop, camera, phone, IPod, power adaptors, torch for blackouts) are fine but note that electricity may not always be available and conditions may be wet, dusty etc.

35

FOREIGN CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS

Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines can be made in foreign currency. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. Students should keep their Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at the Tribhuvan International Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency. Students can exchange foreign currency at KSL also.

ATMs are widely in use in Kathmandu, but please be aware they might be few and far between. Students may wish to take some US dollars to exchange for rupees. There are money changers and ATMs in Bhaktapur also. Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times and websites of each bank. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa. The exchange rate in December 2010 for 1 USD is equivalent to NPR 73. Rates can vary. You can also check rates online at http://www.nrb.org.np/fxmexchangerate1.php?YY=&&MM=&&DD=. Rates can slightly vary in each bank.

As it won’t always be possible to guarantee a secure place to leave valuables, students may wish to pack a money belt to keep your money and passport etc on your person. Please also bear this in mind when deciding if to take a laptop, digital cameras, IPhone, IPods etc. Padlocks for luggage can be useful if storing valuables in luggage.

TIME AND BUSINESS HOURS

Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT. Government offices are open from 10am to 5pm from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays they remain open until 3pm. But the offices open from 10am to 4pm from Sunday through Thursday and 10am to 2pm on Friday from mid of November to mid of February. Most of the Banks are open from Sunday through Thursday from 10am to 3pm. On Fridays, banks remain open until 12pm only. However, some banks have evening counters as well. Business offices are open from 10am to 5pm Sunday through Friday. Embassies and international organizations are open from 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 10am and close at about 8pm and are usually closed on Saturday.

HOLIDAYS

Nepal observes numerous holidays, at the least a couple in a month so please check the holiday calendar. Government offices observe all the national holidays and banks observe most of them. Businesses observe major holidays only.

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

• Postal Services: The Central Post Office located near Dharahara Tower, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The counters are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provide stamps, postcards and aerograms. Post Restante is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Express Mail Service (EMS) is available at GPO and at Thamel, Basantapur and airport postal counters.

• Telephone Services: Telephone, fax, telex and telegraph services are widely available. Hotels and private communications centers also provide long distance telephone. For calling from outside, country code for Nepal is 977 and the area code for Kathmandu is 1. Foreigners can also obtain local SIM cards in Nepal. You can contact IT Center for available options for SIM cards. Phone facilities will be available for your use at various locations. The cost of telephone calls in hotels can be high with additional service charge and tax. Students should provide KSL with the telephone number of their family for immediate contact.

• Internet Services: Several Internet cafes and communication centers have opened up in the Valley and around the country in the past few years. Visitors only have to find a place they are most comfortable in to use the facilities to keep in touch with home. E-mail and Internet services are also offered by hotels. Students should locate internet cafes which operate even in load shedding.

• Electricity: Major towns have electricity and the voltage available is 220-volts and 50 cycles. Load shedding is normally experienced throughout the year with upto 16 hours load shedding in dry season. However, most major hotels and guest houses have installed their own generators.

36 SECTION HEADER

CLIMATE

Nepal has a monsoonal climate with four main seasons - though traditionally a year is categorized into six distinct climate periods: Basanta (Spring), Grishma (Early Summer), Barkha (Summer Monsoon), Sharad (Early Autumn), Hemanta (Late Autumn) and Shishir (Winter).

STAYING HEALTHY

Those who are allergic to tap water drink are suggested to drink only bottled water, or the filtered water at KSL canteen (which is safe). Students should using ice in drinks and eating anything which has been washed in tap water (e.g., salads, some fruit (bananas and other fruit which could be peeled are generally ok), Each individual’s immune system reacts differently to environmental factors so you may need to take precautions even if the local people appear to be unaffected by the same constraints. Students can also find fresh fruit and vegetables in the nearby market.

Bathroom facilities may not be maintained to the same standards that you might be accustomed to so it is advisable to carry a hand sanitizer to maintain good hygiene while travelling. However, please be discreet when using hand sanitizer so as not to cause offence.

SOME DOS AND DON’TS

• The form of greeting in Nepal is “NAMASTE” and is performed by joining the palms together.

• Before entering a Nepalese home, temple, and stupa remember to remove your shoes.

• Be careful not to use your spoon, fork or a hand being used for your eating to touch other’s food, plate, cooking utensil or the serving dish. Do not eat from other people’s plate and do not drink from other people’s bottle or glass unless you are accustomed to. It is not considered good by some people.

• Never touch anything with your feet. This is considered as rude among many Nepalese.

• Seek permission first before entering a Hindu temple. Many Hindu temples do not allow non-Hindus to enter.

• Leather articles are prohibited to be taken inside the temple precinct.

• Walking around temples or stupas is traditionally done clockwise.

• Take photographs only after receiving permission for the object or person being photographed.

• Public displays of affection between man and woman are frowned upon, mostly in rural areas. Do not do something that is totally alien to the local environment.

• Develop a genuine interest to meet and talk to Nepalese people and respect their local customs.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

For further information, you can surf the following internet sites:

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation: www.tourism.gov.np

Nepal Tourism Board: www.welcomenepal.com

Department of Immigration, Nepal: www.immi.gov.np

37

TOP RIGHT AND LEFT:2012-13 COHORT AND

STEERING COMMITTEEMEMBERS

KATHMANDUSCHOOL OF LAWKathmandu, Nepal


BOTTOM:2010-11 COHORTUNIVERSITY OF SYDNEYSydney, Australia

38 SECTION HEADER

05 GETTING INVOLVED

39

MHRD ALUMNI NETWORK

The MHRD Alumni is an emerging network of graduates of MHRD. There is no formal structure and organigram of the alumni yet but it has a volunteer coordinator from the first Cohort of MHRD, Niaz Ahmed who is based in Islamabad, Pakistan. MHRD Alumni is also part of the Global Campus Alumni, a network of all European Union sponsored regional Masters programs in Human Rights and Democratisation.

There are number of way through which you could get involved in the Alumni activities. Following are few of them:

• Human Rights Activism: In 2012, MHRD Alumni started to observe International Human Rights Day through joint activities by its members. Similar events will be organised in 2013, in which current cohort can join hands with their colleagues from previous cohorts to design and organise the events.

• European Masters Alumni Mentoring Program: As members of the Global Campus Alumni, MHRD graduates now have access to the mentoring program of the European Masters Alumni Association. Calls for application for this year have closed but current cohort can access this program next year. For details on EMAlumni, please visit: http://www.emalumniassociation.org

• Database of graduates: MHRD Alumni will invite the current cohort at the end of regional semester to provide their details for a database of graduates which will be used for various interaction and activities. Current cohort will have access to public information on profiles of the graduates once it is finalised.

• MHRD Alumni Newsletter: A newsletter is being prepared which will highlight the news, events and career services. Current cohort will be provided with the copies of newsletter. Current students can contribute stories about their MHRD experience, activism and any other aspects of their work and contribution for human rights.

For all queries relating to the MHRD Alumni, please contact the MHRD Alumni Coordinator at [email protected].

The Global Social Justice Network (GloSo) is a group or postgraduate students who have an interest in the broad topic of global social justice. It welcomes all different perspectives: development, human rights, peace and conflict, international relations and public health and many others. GloSo offers events, networking, and resources to help bridge the “why” of global social justice with the practical “how”: in local communities, government, business and international contexts. GloSo also supports global social justice activities of its members and the wider community.

GloSo is open to the entire postgraduate community and is free to join. GloSo hosts and supports many events throughout the semester.

Students interested in joining GloSo should follow this link to be put on GloSo’s mailing list, and to let them know what events they would like to see organised: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHBaZDVjX0NJN2Z0NTlEbEpteGpsbFE6MA

More information on events and career pages can be found at this link: http://sydney.edu.au/arts/research/global_social_justice_network/

For all queries relating to GloSo, please contact GloSo Coordinator at [email protected].

GLOBAL SOCIAL JUSTICE NETWORK

CRICOS 00026AABN 15 211 513 464

Produced by the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific)project team at the University of Sydney, July 2013. The University reserves the right to make alterations to any information contained within this publication without notice.

Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific)T +61 2 9114 1102 or +61 2 9351 4203E [email protected]

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL STUDIES

The Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) is partially funded by the European Union