SUTDLogoDark2x

Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities Programme (UTOP)

We believe teaching reinforces understanding and learning of the individual, and fosters peer-to-peer support and collaborative learning. UTOP opens up opportunities for students to impart knowledge they learned during their course of study in SUTD.
Overview
UTOP Schedule
Guide for students
Guide for faculty/ staff
Student-initiated workshops

About UTOP

 

 
Undergraduate teaching

The Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities Programme (UTOP) is a Fifth Row activity that provides students the opportunity to impart their knowledge and passion during their course of study in SUTD. We aim to:

  • reinforce learning and understanding of the individual
  • cultivate one’s leadership and confidence
  • foster peer-to-peer support, community spirit and collaborative learning
Supported UTOP activities

Examples: Conducting formal or informal classes for lower level subjects, or participating in university-initiated outreach programmes such as Design workshops, teaching programmes at high schools, or overseas community service/teaching.

Eligibility

For Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) / Instructor
You should preferably:

  • have successfully completed the subject with a minimum B grade and/or;
  • have been found to be suitable for teaching. An interview may be conducted by the subject faculty/lead before admitting you into their teaching team; and
  • not be under leave of absence (LOA).

For student-initiated workshops
If you have sufficient expertise and passion to share your knowledge, you may design and conduct your own outreach courses or interest group workshops during the Independent Activities Period (IAP), term breaks or Fifth Row time.

 

All student-initiated UTOP workshops must be approved by the UTOP Office.

Requirements

To qualify for UTOP certification, you should complete at least 26 contact hours (teaching interaction with students). Contact hours is defined as teaching interaction e.g., classroom facilitation, tutoring, consultations or co-teaching.

 

Course administrative work such as marking and preparation may be considered as contact hours but only to a maximum of one-third of the total contact hours accumulated.

 

Please note that participation in UTOP is entirely voluntary, and no remuneration is provided to UTOP UTAs. At the end of the course, eligible UTOPers will be awarded a UTOP certificate, and your participation will be recorded in the Fifth Row transcript upon successful completion of 26 contact hours.

WHAT's NEXT

Find out more

Frequently asked questions

I know of a peer/undergraduate who does teaching without any pay or recognition; can I recommend him/her for UTOP?
Please reach out to us at utop@sutd.edu.sg.
I am interested in initiating a 3D printing workshop. Must I fulfil the minimum 26 contact hours within a term to be eligible for the UTOP certificate?
To be eligible for UTOP certification, your entire UTOP activity must fulfil a minimum of 26 contact hours (of which 1/3 of the total contact hours can be considered towards course preparatory/administrative work). However, it need not be within a term. It can be, for example, within a 3-day workshop too.
I wish to submit a student-initiated workshop proposal. When is the deadline for submission?
There is no deadline for student-initiated workshop proposal submissions as we accept proposals all year round. You have to look for a faculty/staff advisor to acknowledge the proposal. Incomplete submissions will not processed. Send in early for review in time for your activity as student proposals may take up to 2 weeks for review.

Can’t find what you need?
Get in touch

Submit an enquiry or schedule a call with our friendly team.