Hills Fellowship

ABOUT HILLS FELLOWSHIP:

The HILLs (Himalayan Institute of Live Learnings) fellowship is an eleven-month fully immersive trans-disciplinary postgraduate programme, which brings young (at heart) individuals who are passionate about tackling the challenges faced by the people of Ladakh, Hindu Kush Himalayas and the other mountain ranges of the world. Another prime initiative of the fellowship is to encourage Ladakhi youth to participate in this premier program, which is designed to revitalize ancestral livelihoods through emerging technologies while fostering career discovery and essential life skills, and through dedicated mentorship, empowers fellows to drive sustainability and create meaningful social impact specially for graduates, postgraduates, and unemployed youth of Ladakh. The selection for the fellowship is highly competitive with limited seats and the candidates are selected on the basis of their interest, solution-mindedness and the vision ("Big Idea") that they wish to work upon during their stay in the fellowship. HILLs fellowship is an intense and rigorous programme, which engages fellows in various multidisciplinary courses, working on the field with the local community and providing the opportunity to earn while learning. These are models that are unique to the HILLs fellowship and the pedagogy will require the students to contribute to the running of the courses as well as building of several aspects of the Institute during their fellowship programme, which will develop their governance, leadership and collaborative skills.

OBJECTIVES OF THE FELLOWSHIP:

HILLs fellowship is aimed at finding indigenous solutions to local problems through the pedagogy of experiential learning in the context of the mountains. It aims to expose the fellows to a diverse set of subjects and perspectives, delivered by some of the finest action academicians and practitioners from India and abroad.

The aim is to empower the fellows in becoming social entrepreneurs and in achieving their "Big Idea". The fellows will learn-by-be doing (experiential learning) things and majority of their learnings will come from live action labs (where they will learn by working alongside the staff of HIAL and the local people of Ladakh). They will become well-rounded individuals who are able to think critically and systemically from multiple perspectives with a commitment to improving the quality of lives and livelihoods in the fragile Himalayan eco-system through sustainable social and entrepreneurial practices.

HILLs fellowship is an intense and rigorous programme, which engages fellows in various multidisciplinary courses, working on the field with the local community and providing the opportunity to earn while learning. These are models that are unique to the HILLs fellowship and the pedagogy will require the students to contribute to the running of the courses as well as building of several aspects of the Institute during their fellowship programme, which will develop their governance, leadership and collaborative skills.

The programme aims to engage fellows in hands-on, action-based projects on sustainable mountain development, climate-responsive design, renewable energy, tourism, and community empowerment, while revitalizing traditional livelihoods through emerging technologies and fostering career exploration, life skills, mentorship, and a strong commitment to sustainability and social impact.

Key details of the Fellowship:

Duration: Eleven-month fully immersive, residential and trans-disciplinary postgraduate programme
Eligibility Criteria: graduate / post graduates
Duration: 11 months
Start date: 27 July 2026
Location: HIAL Phyang, Leh-UT Ladakh
Funding/Benefits: A stipend of ₹7,000 per month will be provided to help cover accommodation and food expenses at HIAL, as it is a residential program.
Completion certificate: A completion certificate will be provided to fellows who successfully clear the passing criteria as per the assessment rules and regulations of HIAL.

HILLS FELLOWS ARE EXPECTED TO:

Behave responsibly, with professionalism and fulfil their obligations
Maintain high levels of academic integrity
Participate in all community work and engagements on the campus.
Ensure punctuality in their work
Display compassion and respect towards nature, co-fellows, faculty and the community at large
Strive for cooperation as opposed to competition
Work towards the well-being of the people in the mountain regions
Understand the problems being faced by the local communities and actively engage in the work they do
Become self-aware individuals

ACADEMICS:

The HILLs fellowship consists of the following aspects:

30% classroom lectures. 70% of the learning would be on the field or through experiential/ live learning sessions where the fellows will learn by working alongside the faculty members on real-life problems and come up with real-life solutions
To pursue their "Big Idea" as part of their Experiential Learning Project (ELP) and launch their own enterprise at the end of the program.
Interaction with leading faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. Guest sessions and seminars in various fields from leaders and faculty from across the globe
Workshops to develop their writing, communication and critical thinking skills.

The 11-month programme is delivered across 4 terms. The first term would be of 8 weeks, the second, third and fourth of 12 weeks each. The fourth term would be the "Experiential Learning Project (ELP)" where the fellows will finalise their project or the "Big Idea" that they have been working on for the entire year.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROJECT (ELP):

The ELP serves as an effective platform for the fellows to pursue their "Big Idea" and also to actively create solutions for the mountain communities. Fellows also learn strategic thinking, design thinking, problem solving, teamwork, communication skills, project management, planning and execution through the implementation of their ELPs.

COURSE MATERIAL AND MANAGEMENT:

Fellows will be provided with required reading material by the Academic team at HIAL , either electronically or otherwise
Fellows are free to borrow books from the HILLs Library but must ensure that they are returned on time and undamaged.
Life Skills across 32 domains and Plenary courses in Research, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Design & Thinking will form an integral part of the fellowship in addition to the following electives
1. Eco Responsive Architecture & Energy Studies.
2. High Altitude Desert Ecology.
3. Responsible Tourism
4. Desert Flower- School of Experiential Education.
5. Teacher Evolution.
6. Social and Political Leadership.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE COURSES::

1. ECO RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE AND ENERGY STUDIES:

Jointly focus on designing and managing sustainable built environments through an integrated approach to architecture and energy systems. The programmes cover eco-responsive design, green building materials, energy modelling, and environmental impact assessment, alongside core principles of renewable energy, thermodynamics, and electrical systems. Emphasis is placed on energy efficiency, passive solar design, and the integration of permaculture within campus-based sustainability studies. Advanced learning includes renewable energy systems, energy storage, and strategies for greenhouse gas mitigation within climate-responsive frameworks.

2. HIGH-ALTITUDE DESERT ECOLOGY:

Addresses and solves Ladakh’s environmental challenges, including water scarcity, waste management, and climate resilience. It combines field-based learning with practical interventions such as watershed management, reforestation, and micro-irrigation. The programme promotes indigenous agricultural practices and permaculture alongside core concepts of desert ecology and biodiversity conservation. It also emphasizes climate change adaptation through strategies like ice stupas, GLOF awareness, ethnobotany, and valley greening in high-altitude ecosystems.

3. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Advances tourism as a pathway for sustainable and inclusive development in the Himalayas. Grounded in ecological preservation, cultural respect, and community empowerment, it fosters responsible practices among travellers, communities, and policymakers. The programme emphasizes mindful engagement with the region’s unique natural and cultural heritage. It promotes authentic, low-impact alternatives to mass tourism that generate positive social and environmental outcomes.

4. DESERT FLOWER: SCHOOL OF EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION:

Desert Flower is a space where education is reimagined as a living, creative force—rooted in context yet open to new possibilities. This elective focuses on research and design in emerging pedagogies, creative curriculum development, and the creation of meaningful teaching- learning aids. Fellows engage in hands-on exploration, prototyping, and reflection to craft learning experiences that are dynamic, relevant, and deeply engaging. Here, teaching becomes an act of creation—where inquiry, imagination, and purpose come together to shape resilient, adaptive educators who can help learning bloom in any landscape.

5. SOCIAL & POLITICAL LEADERSHIP:

This elective is designed to nurture and groom future social and political leaders through a deep, immersive engagement with systems, ethics, and self-mastery. It is a journey to awaken the leader within—where thought meets purpose and power is guided by dharma. While drawing on the core of PPE—Philosophy, Politics, and Economics—it extends into value-based and spiritual education inspired by the integrated vision of the Artha Shastra. Fellows explore not only how power and policy operate, but how inner clarity, dharma and responsibility shape leadership. The programme cultivates individuals capable of thinking rigorously, acting ethically and leading with both strategic intelligence and deeper purpose.

6. TEACHERS EVOLUTION FELLOWSHIP:

A transformative journey for educators to reimagine their role beyond instruction—as facilitators of inner growth and conscious learning. Drawing from integral education and lived practice at HIAL, fellows explore how to nurture the physical, emotional, mental, and deeper dimensions of the learner. The programme blends reflection, experimentation, and immersion to cultivate educators who can shape the future of learning. This elective focuses on self-awareness, higher-order thinking, and deeper-order feeling as foundations for authentic teaching. Through experiential practices and dialogue, participants learn to shift from transactional teaching to transformative presence in the classroom.

EXAMINATIN POLICY:

Fellows will be graded through Formative and Summative exams.
Formative tests will be ongoing and weekly/ monthly/ periodic and summative will be at the end of the course.
This will be a combination of written and oral exams, project works, reviews and ELP.

COURSE CREDIT STRUCTURE AND CALCULATION: Total Credits - 75

Life Skills (10 Credits)
Plenary (20 Credits): Research (5 credits,) Entrepreneurship (5 credits), Innovation and Design Thinking (5 credits), Event Participation &Community engagement (5 Credits)
Major Elective (45 Credits)

CREDITS REQUIREMENTS:

To graduate from the programme, a fellow must earn at least 42 credits (60%) out of the total 75 credits, including mandatory ELP. Life Skills (10 Credits)
In case a fellow fails more than 3 courses, she may choose to reappear for the exams to make up for the lost credits. This will also enable the fellow to complete the credit requirements and graduate at the end of the year.
Only when a fellow has completed all their credit requirements will they be issued their Fellowship Award Certificate

ATTENDANCE:

90% attendance under all circumstances for each course. For any class they miss, fellows have to take permission from the course coordinator.
If a fellow is absent for more than 2 classes for any course without adequate cause, they will receive an 'F' grade for the course.
All days designated for ELP related work and activities require 100% attendance. Fellows are expected to keep to their commitments. Failure to do so will invite appropriate action by the programme team and may affect the ELP grades of individuals or the team as a whole.

MENTORING PROGRAMME:

Fellows are supported by Mentors who will serve as their buddies during the fellowship process. All fellows will be assigned a buddy based on their interests and aspirations.

HILLs fellowship promotes an atmosphere where fellows can openly express their concerns, suggest recommendations and work towards improvements for the benefit of the community. All such feedback should be routed through the student coordinators. Fellows can also take appointments with any member of the programme team should the need arise. There will also be townhalls hosted at regular intervals, in which the fellows will get the chance to interact with the senior management of various departments at the Institute. These meetings ensure regular and effective communication among the various stakeholders of the programme.

Feedback: In order to stay finely tuned to student experience at the HILLs, the programme team expects regular feedback on academics, ELPs, the residential experience and other engagements at the fellowship. It is mandatory for fellows to submit their feedback every term.

SUPPORT FOR FELLOWS:

Programme Team: HILLs is administered through the programme team that is responsible for managing its academic engagements, ELPs and professional development services. The programme team will serve as the main point of contact for all matters related to a fellow's participation in the HILLs.

The programme team will be responsible for the following:

Orientation
Counselling
Ensuring timely delivery of the programme
Administering the Experiential Learning Projects (ELPs)
Maintaining academic documents and records
Scheduling and maintaining the academic calendar
Course evaluations

FELLOWSHIP COMPLETION GUIDELINES:

The HILLs Fellowship at HIAL is a rigorous, community-driven program with defined pre- and post-enrolment requirements. Before joining, candidates must meet eligibility criteria (minimum undergraduate degree), complete the application and interview process, demonstrate alignment with sustainability and community values, formally accept fellowship expectations, and be medically fit for Ladakh’s high- altitude conditions.
Completion of a capstone project, consistent documentation and reflection, and successful final evaluation are mandatory, and the fellowship is awarded only upon fulfilling the full tenure and all academic, social, and project obligations.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE:

HILLs is a fully residential programme and all fellows are required to stay on campus.
HILLs fellows will be sharing rooms with their co-fellows.
Fellows must ensure not to engage in any unruly behaviour, loud music or any such conduct that hampers the well-being of other co- fellows
HILLs strictly prohibits the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of any drugs/alcohol on campus. Smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited within the farmstay premises. Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action that may lead to dismissal from the programme.
Fellows should display impeccable civic sense and behave in a manner that does not disturb or cause any distress to other fellows or other neighbours.
Fellows will be personally responsible for the maintenance of their rooms, furniture, bathrooms and other farmstay property in their use. They should keep their valuables in a safe place. The farmstay management does not take responsibility for the personal belongings of fellows.
All health related issues should be reported immediately to the student coordinators.
Personal pets are not permitted at the farmstays.
Any indiscipline and misconduct on the part of the fellows should be reported to the programme team by the student coordinators immediately for necessary action and disciplinary measures.

CODE OF CONDUCT:

Anti-discrimination: HILLs programme does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, caste, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age or disability. If fellows have any complaints regarding discrimination, they must report them to the programme team immediately.
Sexual Harassment and Violence: HILLs is committed to providing a safe environment for all the members of the programme, along with their visitors, and has strict policies on sexual harassment and violence on its premises. Sexual harassment includes any verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is directed towards an individual against their will or consent. Consent cannot be assumed if the individual is deemed unable to make a reasonable judgment about the nature of the activity (i.e., they are intoxicated, on medication or of unsound mind). Violence is any physical conduct that threatens the physical, emotional and mental safety and health of an individual. Please report all complaints in this regard directly to the programme team and the student coordinators.
The Institute will provide all necessary support to victims of sexual harassment and violence. The programme team will conduct a thorough investigation and submit its recommendations back to the Dean's office for appropriate action. The Dean will ensure that the programme team's recommendations are adhered to and violators will face appropriate disciplinary action. Sexual harassment and violence are grounds for immediate dismissal from the HILLs fellowship. The Institute will keep all findings and the investigations confidential.
Anti-ragging Policy: Ragging is considered a grave offence and in conformity with the directives of the Honourable Supreme Court of India, the Institute exercises zero tolerance for all instances of ragging. If found guilty of the offence, the fellow will be dismissed from the programme immediately. Fellows must also ensure to immediately report instances of ragging if they come across any. Forcing someone to behave/act in any manner without their consent is considered ragging and any student feeling discomfort in these situations should register a complaint. Strict confidentiality will be maintained in case of any such complaints. If fellows wish to express a grievance about any fellow, faculty member or staff member, they may discuss the grievance with the programme team and their respective mentors.
HILLs Honour Code: HILLs is committed to creating responsible and ethical individuals. In keeping with this ideology, all fellows are expected to share the responsibility of maintaining the highest standards of honesty and integrity during the programme. The HILLs Honour Code has been established to ensure that this culture is retained. To create such an atmosphere, the programme expects fellows to:
- Practise academic integrity at all times
- Avoid possession of articles that may be deemed harmful to others or themselves
- Respect all farmstay and Institute property and facilities
- Provide accurate information on their personal background during the admissions process
- Act in a lawful manner
- Refrain from offences such as cheating, plagiarism, and giving or receiving unauthorised aid

GUIDELINES FOR JOINING AND LEAVING:

Entry Formalities: When fellows arrive, they will be asked to designate a contact name and number in case of an emergency such as critical health situation, financial payment default or expulsion. In other personal cases (such as basic health problems, sexual harassment and general academic issues), the member of the programme team will contact the designated person with the fellow's consent.
In all electronic communication, fellows must incorporate the following signature:
- Name
- HILLs Fellow, Class of 2027
- Himalayan Institute of Live Learnings, Phyang, Ladakh – 194101
- (Personal mobile phone number)
The fellows must take approval from the programme team for distribution of all banners, advertisements, publications, HILLs merchandise and other HILLs' materials. Appropriate action will be taken against violators of these policies.
All material submitted by fellows for admission to the HILLs becomes the property of the Institute and will be preserved over the duration of the programme.
Fellows are entitled to request and review information regarding their academic transcripts and admission files. This does not include confidential information disclosed in their admissions file, such as letters of recommendation or interview comments.
Access to fellows’ files is restricted to the Institute’s academic committee and designated faculty or staff; any external access requires the fellow’s signed consent, subject to final approval by the programme team.
The programme administration may disclose basic personal information without a fellow's consent as long as it is for education related use; for example, name, address (permanent home), e-mail, phone number, other institutes attended, age, gender, activities involved in while at the HILLs, year of graduation, specialisation at the HILLs, or company name and position. Education-related use could include directories, alumni mailing or aggregated demographic information, and must be approved by the Dean.
The programme will not allow any unauthorised party to review fellows' records. These include financial information, admission information, staff and faculty reviews, and governing board documents.
Exit Formalities: Before departing from the HILLs, all fellows are required to complete a set of procedures, including the return of library books, settling debit notes, completing exit surveys, payment of medical bills, etc. Details of these procedures will be shared with fellows closer to the date of departure.
Fellows will not be handed their Graduation Certificates/ Transcripts unless all exit clearance formalities have been completed.

FACILITIES:

Stay: The fellows will be staying at the Student Facility at campus
Meals: All meals will be provided at the CDH at HIAL campus. Lunch will be provided either at Site or at HIAL campus.
Medical Facilities: Immediate first aid and medicines will be provided in the MI Room (Student facility)
Transport: Will be provided for academic trips and for commuting from the place of residence to the Institute.

ELECTRONIC INFORMATION POLICY:

We strictly prohibit unauthorised copying or use of HILLs/HIAL licensed software by any member of the HILLs community. HILLs fellows must comply with all contractual software obligations. In addition, the programme and its members will abide by all local, state and national intellectual property laws, and Information Technology regulations.

RELIGIOUS GUIDELINES:

HILLs does not discriminate against any religion or sect in terms of hiring, admission or grading.

Fellows are expected to respect the religious preferences of others on campus. For prayer, puja or worship, fellows should use their own rooms. Please remember that:

No fire is permitted on campus or in the farmstays for safety reasons
No spice/paint/stickers may be placed on any floors or walls whatsoever
No loud music, singing or chanting that might disturb others is allowed

CONTRACTS:

No fellow or fellows' organisation may sign any contract on behalf of HIAL/ HILLs fellowship.
The programme team will review and undertake all contracts regarding the programme after consulting those involved.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS:

Dr. Deldan Kunzes:
7889566457. Email: deldan.kunzes@hial.edu.in
Mr. Chemat Dorjay (Academic Facilitator):
9622661816. Email: chemath.dorjay@hial.edu