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 Hindu Kush Himalayas and the other mountain ranges of the world. 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 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-doing (experiential learning) things and majority of their learnings will come from live action labs (where they will learn by working alongside the local people in 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.

HILLS FELLOWS ARE EXPECTED TO:

– Behave responsibly, with professionalism and fulfil their obligations
– Maintain high levels of academic integrity
– 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 6 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. This will comprise an 8-week long internship in December and January and a 4-week long ELP break during the winters designated exclusively for ELP work.
3 courses (Ecology, Entrepreneurship, Tourism/ Responsive Buildings) will be taught throughout the year. The plenary courses of Ecology and Entrepreneurship will have 120 and 150 hours respectively, and the electives of Tourism and Architecture will have 720 hours of learning time each. Experiential Learning Project (ELP) starts in Term 2 and continues alongside the regular courses for the remaining terms.

COURSE MATERIAL AND MANAGEMENT:

– Fellows will be provided with required reading material by the HILLs, 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.

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.
– The objectives of these projects are to:
– Help the fellows to achieve their Big Idea
– Actively engage with people on the field and also the local communities – Develop indigenous sustainable solutions for the mountain regions – Develop their collaborative and leadership skills
– Empower the local communities in the process
Learn about their own selves and to bond with their co-fellows and mentors

EXAMINATION 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 and ELP.

CREDITS/ELP REQUIREMENTS:

– Life Skills will have 2 credits, Applied Ecology 4 credits, Entrepreneurship (ELP) 18 credits, Tourism and Responsive Buildings will have 16 credits each. – When a fellow receives a grade higher than ‘D’, they acquire 1 credit for it – In order to graduate from the programme, a fellow must earn 20 credits out of the total of 40 credits including mandatory ELP.
– In case a fellow fails more than 3 courses, s/he 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 Diploma and Transcript.

ATTENDANCE:

– 100% 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

RESIDENTIAL LIFE:

– HILLs is a fully residential programme and all fellows are required to stay in and work out of the farmstays.
– HILLs fellows will be sharing rooms with their co-fellows.
– Fellows must ensure to accord due care to their farmstay hosts and not to engage in any unruly behaviour, loud music or any such conduct that hampers the well-being of their host families.
– 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 co ordinators.
– 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
– Personal pets are not permitted at the farmstays.
– Respect all farmstay and Institute property and facilities. The programme prohibits the misuse, stealing or intentional damage of any of Institute’s or farmstay’s properties or facilities
– Provide accurate information on their personal background during the admissions process within the requested date
– Act in a lawful manner. If fellows participate in unlawful activities, the Institute authorities will report these to the local authorities and this may result in expulsion
Refrain from offences such as cheating, plagiarism, and giving or receiving unauthorised aid, resorting to bribery or intimidation to obtain an advantage over others

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 2024
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.
– No individual outside the Institute academic committee and select faculty/ staff members may view the fellows’ files without their consent. They must give a signed consent to the programme team, who will then take the final decision on releasing the fellows’ files.
– 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 farmstays in Phyang that serve as the ecosystem for the fellowship.
– Meals: Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the farmstays. Lunch will be provided either at Site or at HIAL campus.
– Medical Facilities: There is a Government Hospital at Leh that is very well equipped.
– 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:

Dechen Spalzes
Academics Coordinator
[email protected]
7051992140
General query: [email protected]