Innovation and Research Opportunities Programme (IROP)

IROP

For incoming exchange students

IROP gives you the opportunity to work together with SUTD faculty and students on cutting edge and innovative research projects during your exchange period in SUTD.

As an exchange student, you will be able to participate in the different phases of research activity which include developing research plans, writing proposals, conducting research, analysing data and presenting research results in oral and written form.

Besides immersing in SUTD’s rich research culture, you will also get the chance to gain multicultural and interdisciplinary design perspectives.

Finding an IROP project

You can secure a research project through one of the two pathways:

1. Faculty-led IROP

• Participate in a faculty-led research project by selecting up to 5 projects from the IROP Project Catalogue. Upon review, you will be matched to one of your selection.
• The list of IROP projects differs from term to term. Refer to IROP Project Catalogue for Exchange Students for examples of past projects.

2. Student-initiated IROP

• Identify a suitable faculty and initiate your own research project under the guidance of the faculty.
• View the profile of SUTD faculties to identify a suitable faculty. Send the IROP Proposal (Part A to be completed) to your preferred SUTD faculty supervisor to secure supervision.

Choosing the level of IROP

IROP is offered to nominated exchange students from our partner universities. Each exchange student is allowed to take one IROP project per term.

SUTD recommends that exchange students spend at least:

• 12 hours per week for IROP Lite and IROP Mezzo;
• 24 hours per week for IROP Meta; and
• 48 hours per week for IROP Max.

The exact number of hours depends on the project duration, project nature, students’ progress and arrangement with project supervisor, as well as students’ own time management.

Academic and research exchange

Exchange students take a combination of academic subjects and an IROP project.

The maximum subject credits you can take in SUTD during your term of exchange is 48 subject credits, and this includes any credit-bearing IROP.

If necessary, EU students may take up to 60 credits for credit transfer with this combination:

• 3 subjects (36 credits) + IROP Meta (24 credits)
• 1 subject (12 credits) + IROP Max (48 credits)

* Upon successful completion, your supervisor will recommend whether an IROP certificate of participation will be awarded to you.

Research exchange

Exchange students take on a full-time IROP project under the supervision of SUTD faculty, without taking any academic subjects.

Assessment and evaluation

(For IROP Mezzo, IROP Meta and IROP Max)

IROP is a Pass or Fail subject.

To obtain a pass for IROP Mezzo, IROP Meta and IROP Max, exchange students would need to obtain a minimum of 50% from the total marks in the assessment items stated below.

The mid-term report will be assessed by the students’ direct supervisor. The poster/seminar presentation and final report will be assessed by the direct supervisor and one additional examiner according to the grading rubrics.

Application

Detailed application instructions will be sent to you after you have been nominated for exchange at SUTD.

Faculty-led IROP

1. Submit your exchange application via the SUTD Admissions System.
2. As the allocation of projects is subject to availability and decision of the project supervisor, you may not be given your preferred choice. Hence you are required to select a minimum of 2 projects and up to 5 projects (in order of preference) in your exchange application.

Student-initiated IROP

1. Send the IROP Proposal (Part A to be completed) to your preferred SUTD faculty supervisor to secure supervision before completing your exchange application.
2. Student is to inform the Office of International Relations (global@sutd.edu.sg) of successful match.
3. Submit your exchange application via the SUTD Admissions System.

For enquires, please reach out to the Office of International Relations via global@sutd.edu.sg.