1. Background

The call is a part of a mobility and exchange project (ID: NORPART-2024/10111) funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education (HK-Dir), named as “PEARLS - Promoting a New Community of Knowledge and Practice on People Centred and Resilient Spaces related to Urban Rivers”.

NORPART-PEARLS works for more inclusive, liveable, prosperous and climate-friendly cities through people-centred and resilient urban spaces. It does this by promoting new learning practices that are transdisciplinary, exploratory and case study based, and by championing solutions that are driven by local needs. It works on the theme of urban rivers and communities in times of climate change.

Out of the following four objectives of the PEARLS, this call is related to the 3^rd objective;

1. To foster partnerships between academic institutions in Norway (NTNU), Nepal (Tribhuvan University) and Kenya (University of Nairobi) in combination with non-academic partners
2. To support internationalisation and excellence in education through active and experiential learning practices, case study-based pedagogy and transdisciplinary collaboration reflected in learning curricula.
3. To promote a new quality of learning for students and staff by providing opportunities for international mobility to and from Norway, thus promoting the development of new urban practitioners through international exposure and the development of innovative methods (e.g. combining social and nature-based solutions in urban development).
4. Achieve societal impact by advancing policy and people-centred local solutions, by connecting researchers, practitioners and communities, and by training future leaders.

2. Duration of Workshop

Two weeks in the Fall Semester 2025 (6-17 October, 2025)

3. Number of Participants and Travel Support

The project can offer up to 4 Grants for graduate Students and young Researchers (Ms and PhD students) for joining the international workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. The grant will cover all basic costs such as travel, visa, insurance, and offer a grant for accommodation and daily expenses.

4. Expected Activities

The selected participants are expected to participate in a field work and workshop jointly organised by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the University of Nairobi and local partner institutions such as UN-Habitat and the Kounkuey Design Initiative. There will be a rich programme of site visits and communication with various stakeholders. This also includes an international workshop on issues related to urban river regeneration such as Nature-based Solutions, Informal Settlement Upgrading, Resilient Housing solutions and best practices in urban river upgrading. You are expected to participate/engage actively in the program and to present some case study/ information of the situation with River Upgrading on selected case in Nepal. Ideally you demonstrate a sustained interest to continue working with the topic.

5. Eligibility

MS and PhD Candidates at IoE in Planning, Architecture and Urban Design as well as other Engineering disciplines (if they can demonstrate a strong thematic link to the agenda of the PEARLS project on urban river regeneration in relation to social and environmental development) can apply.

6. Application Requirements

• Motivation letter, including a proposal with initiative on urban river regeneration from Nepal you would like to present. 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Indication of study progress, transcript of grades
• Recommendation letter from Supervisor (indicating work progress) and/or Program Coordinator

7. Application Submission

8. Selection Criteria

• Excellence: Combination of your grades and the quality of motivation letter.
• Equality and Diversity: Criteria of gender mix and minority needs if several candidates are selected.
• Relevance: A thematic link to the PEARLS project on Urban Rivers will be an advantage.

9. Contact persons:

• CARD/TU:
  • Prof. Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey (vishnu.pandey@pcampus.edu.np)
  • Prof. Dr. Sangeeta Singh (sangeeta@ioe.edu.np)
• NTNU:
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Gotsch (peter.a.gotsch@ntnu.no )