NTU URECA Undergraduate Research Programme 2.19

Eureka:
An exclamation used as an interjection to celebrate a discovery; meaning approximately "I found it".

In NTU, URECA is the acronym for Undergraduate Research Experience on CAmpus, a university-wide programme to cultivate a research culture among the most able undergraduates. Though young by international standards, it is a unique opportunity for NTU undergraduates to touch, feel and experience research at a level not available elsewhere.

The opportunity to undertake URECA is by invitation and only to the most academically able second and third year undergraduates. These undergraduates will be given the coveted title of NTU President Research Scholar (NTU PRS).

NTU PRSs are required to undertake a minimum of 160 hours of research over a 11-month period (August to June) in an academic year. NTU PRSs are eligible for Academic Units or stipend and other monetary allowances.

Invitations are sent to eligible students in July/August.

Objective

URECA is an undergraduate research general elective to provide outstanding undergraduates an opportunity to pursue independent research under the supervision of a professor over a 11-month period. URECA enables undergraduates to immerse themselves in a vibrant research culture and experience research first hand, while earning benefits such as monetary allowances or academic units.

Outcome

By the end of URECA, NTU PRSs will gain a good appreciation of the rigour and open-endedness of research, as well as the formulation of research problems. It is desired that, upon graduation, these NTU PRSs will seriously consider pursuing a higher degree by research and thereafter, choose research as a career.