New Colombo Plan Travel - CHINA - School of Architecture, Design and Planning

CHINA - APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
ARCH3341: New urban identity with digital heritage and social networks
Dr Dan Luo

Join us for an immersive one-month field experience across China, visiting Chongqing, Xi’an, and Tianjin, as part of the ARCH3341 intensive course in June/July 2025!

This unique opportunity allows UQ students to explore the transformation of historical cities in the modern digital era. You will examine firsthand how contemporary citizens and netizens engage with heritage urban spaces enhanced by social media and emerging technologies, shaping new interactions, programs, and the evolving image of historic cities.

Students will initially spend 12 days visiting Xi’An and Chongqing, analysing its cultural factors, emerging needs, spatial form and programs impacted by social media, public interactions with the site, and the overall planning and design for the brand/vision/operation mechanism of the site. For the remainder of the month, students will be embedded in an immersive learning environment within Tianjin University, a top 3 architecture school in China. Here, UQ students will partner with students from Tianjin University and supported by local academic and industry leaders to synthesise from previous site visits, and work on a selected heritage urban fabric in Tianjin.

The course is open to 3rd year students from the Bachelor of Archtecture Design, Bachelor of Design and Bachelor Urban and Regional Planning. Coursework will be completed by the end of the field trip.

Eligibility

To be eligible for NCP funding students must:

be an Australian citizen
not be a citizen or permanent resident of a host location in which they will undertake a mobility project
be enrolled at UQ and be in your 3rd year of the Bachelor of Architectural Design, Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
be approved to receive credit/count towards the course requirements
meet the age requirements (at least 70 per cent of students participating must be aged between 18 and 28 years, with the exception of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who do not need to be aged between 18 and 28)
not be an employee of the branch of DFAT that administers the NCP
have not previously received a New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant

Students who do not meet the NCP funding eligibility can also apply. However, the trip is limited to 24 students and priority is given to NCP eligible students. Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for funding will not be able to receive the grant and will need to pay the trip costs individually.

Important dates

Program highlights

As rapid technological advancements bring challenges and opportunities with cultural heritage, China’s historic cities are actively exploring intelligent technologies to preserve their past and striving for the future. This course investigates how technological tools, social networks and urban design strategies influence public perceptions and interactions with urban heritage, ultimately recasting the agendas for advancement of historical sites embedded in vivid experience and everyday life.

The team will discuss the protection strategy with digital intelligence, aiming to create a interactive and experiential public space tailored for the internet generation. Students will be encouraged to consider bold strategies to transform the real space with virtual and real fusion, incorporating the branding with content creators and influencers, and creative interactions between people and environments to foster an interactive and experiential public heritage space.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Strategies for integrating digital intelligence into public spaces while preserving the cultural characteristics of a colonial historical district in Tianjin. Foster the creation of innovative designs that leverage digital technology to transform real spaces, encourage public welfare and commercial operations, and enhance the interactive experience between people, the environment, and public spaces

Cultural Immersion: Be immersed in a diverse learning environment within Tianjin University, a top 3 architecture school in China. Eexperience the vibrant culture of China –its history, landmarks, and unique cuisine. Participate in field experience across China visiting Chongqing, Xi’an, and Tianjin.

Professional Networking: Connect with industry leaders and collaborate with fellow architecture students, attending workshops and events designed to enhance your professional development and broaden your global network by fostering bilateral collaboration in architecture design and digital technology.

Costs

Successful applicants will be awarded AU$ 4,000 to cover expenses incurred as part of the NCP program. Please note that there may be instances where the cost of participation in the program may exceed the grant amount.

Costs to be considered:

Flights
Accommodation, tours, cultural activities, and airport transfers
Tianjin University will provide student accommodation at a significant discounted rate.
Chinese visa application fee
Food and incidentals
Other travel-related costs

More information about indicative costs will be made available during the information sessions.

Non-NCP students will be required to cover their own costs.

How to apply

Participant obligations

Students participating in a short-term study tour are expected to:

meet all international travel requirements for the study tour destination
participate in all mandatory pre-departure activities and completion of pre-departure requirements.
commit to and complete the full program duration

Students who withdraw from a study tour within 30 days of departure, may be required to reimburse UQ (up to the amount of the grant) for:

all cancellation fees associated with flights, accommodation, and other non-refundable program costs, and;
any funds that may have been received prior to cancellation.

FAQ

Q. What are the international travel requirements?

To be considered for an international study tour, you will need to:

Have a valid Australian passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity from end of the program, i.e., the date of arrival in Brisbane)
Have the means to obtain relevant entry permission for the study tour destination country.

This may involve:

Applying for, and obtaining a visa in advance through an online platform or other agency
Confirming you are eligible for an on-arrival visa where applicable, or
Applying for, and obtaining a visa through the destination country’s embassy

If your passport has expired or will expire in the 6 months following the program end, you should commence the passport renewal process. Note that this is not a consideration in your application, but rather a general eligibility criterium. Participants are liable for their own passport application/renewal fees.

Students with pre-existing conditions or accessibility requirements are encouraged to apply, and this will not disqualify you from participation. Please note that dependent on the condition, participants may be required to undergo assessment by a qualified medical professional to endorse fitness for travel. Speak to a GP about other, destination-specific vaccinations or preventative medications that may be suited to your personal needs and/or conditions. It is recommended that all applicants familiarise themselves with the UQ's Student Travel Procedure prior to applying for a study tour.

Q. Do I need travel insurance?

All participants of EAIT study tours will be covered by an appropriate level of travel insurance under UQ’s existing policy.
All participants are required to attend a UQ Travel Insurance briefing session prior to departure. Information will be provided about such events to shortlisted participants.
UQ Travel Insurance covers students for activities that are part of the study tour program schedule. Some activities that participants may take part in during personal time may not be covered under UQ Travel Insurance, e.g., extreme sports, high-risk leisure activities, etc. It is the participant's responsibility to check the UQ Travel Insurance policy to confirm what activities are and are not covered. Organise adequate personal insurance coverage as required.

Q. Do I need to organise my own flight or accommodation?

Shortlisted participants will be made aware of the arrangements for their particular tour upon acceptance into the program.
In the event that participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements, part or all of the applicable grant will be released to students to support the cost of booking flights.
Participants may arrive earlier or depart later than designated tour dates but should be aware that personal travel on either end of the official itinerary will not be covered by UQ’s travel insurance.
Accommodation is standardly arranged within the official program dates. Personal travel outside of the official program will require participants to make their own arrangements for accommodation.

Q. Do I need to apply for a visa?

Successful applicants invited to participate in a study tour are required to organise their own entry visa for the destination. A session will be organised for shortlisted participants prior to departure to cover entry requirements of the destination country.
All costs for relevant entry visas are borne by participants, including the cost of the visa and costs associated with obtaining the visa (e.g., transport to an embassy if required).

Q. Will I have free time?

Yes! You will have free time in between the time with your host institution and attending events and activities throughout the program. You will be required to attend events and activities organised by the School of ADP and the local host throughout the program. You are advised to view the program schedule before making plans for your free time.

New Colombo Plan Travel - CHINA