The UNSW Scientia Education Academy is delighted to host UNSW academics Professor Sami Kara and Associate Professor Lauren Kark.
The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) program is the next step in higher education, uniting education, research, innovation, design and entrepreneurship. The program and its approach are team-based, long-term, and multidisciplinary, aiming to tackle large societal challenges outside the constraints of the academic calendar.
In its simplest form, it aims to increase the number of undergraduate and coursework Masters students that progress to Masters by research and PhD studies. This is achieved by these students participating in major research projects led by the faculty’s outstanding researchers and educators. However, the program also has key educational outcomes. It provides the time and context to learn and practise professional skills on large multidisciplinary teams in industry-based research projects, aspiring to develop experiences, cultivate leadership, and provide mentoring for the UG and PG students. Importantly, each project tackles real-world challenges, directly addressing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this lecture, presenters will be talking about the lessons learned in implementing the VIP program at UNSW since 2018.
UNSW’s newly released strategy sets out to deliver education that has societal impact at its heart, and to scale and incorporate interdisciplinary ‘Societal Impact Projects’ in all undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Do not miss the opportunity to connect with the educational leaders who have invaluable experience in making it happen!
This lecture will run in a hybrid format, allowing those who can join us on campus to connect in person with like-minded peers over a tasty lunch available from 12:30pm in the UNSW Teaching Commons. 🥪🏫
About the Speakers
Professor Sami Kara
Director of VIP Program
Sami Kara is a Professor of sustainable manufacturing and life cycle engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney Australia and the Director of Vertically Integrated Projects Program @ UNSW. His research interest is in developing technology solutions with a life cycle view by using circular economy strategies to decarbonize and reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing industry while helping them create value.
Prof. Kara is well known for his efforts and creativity in providing students with authentic and engaging learning activities. His contribution to learning and teaching has been acknowledged with various awards such as UNSW ITET Fellowship (2003), UNSW Vice Chancellor’s Postgraduate Teaching Award (2004), UNSW Faculty of Engineering, Carrick Citation Nomination (2007), UNSW Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Teaching Award (2009), ARC-UNSW Postgraduate Supervisor Award (2012), UNSW Postdoctoral Academy Supervisor of the year award (2012), UNSW Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award (2012), ARC-UNSW Postgraduate Supervisor Award (2013), Australian Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT) Teaching Excellence Award (2014), UNSW Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award – Postgraduate Supervision (2016), and UNSW Faculty of Engineering, Faculty Excellence Awards in Educational Excellence and Innovation, 2021 and Faculty Excellence Award in Community Engagement in 2024.
Prof. Kara is an elected fellow of the International Academy of Production Engineering (CIRP), Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN), UNSW Scientia Education Academy (SEA), International Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET), and German National Academy of Science and Engineering (ACATECH). Learn more about Prof. Kara.
Associate Professor Lauren Kark
Deputy HoS & Academic in charge of VIP project “Assistive Tech Hub”
Lauren Kark is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of School (Academic) at the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering. She champions experiential learning with societal impact, securing over $650k in donations and mobility grants. Since 2015, her students have repaired 2,000+ medical devices in rural hospitals across Cambodia, Nepal, Tonga, and Uganda. Lauren received the Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016 and an Australian Awards for University Teaching citation in 2017. In 2019, she founded the Assistive Technology Hub, where 300+ students have co-created 50+ assistive devices for people with disabilities. Her work, featured nationally, has expanded to the Solomon Islands and Tonga. Learn more about A/Prof. Kark.