Uunchai

About

Uunchai (उँचाई) is a six-week virtual project-based learning summer program organized by the FountED Foundation in collaboration with student mentors from prestigious universities in the USA and Nepal, including Harvard, UPenn, Duke, Vanderbilt, F&M, Lehigh, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Institute of Engineering (IOE). During the program, students will be chosen by mentors and organizers and assigned to teams based on their interests. Throughout the six weeks, selected students (referred to as cohorts) will work on their projects under the guidance of their assigned mentors. Upon completion of the project, recommended students will have the opportunity to intern at partner companies such as E-Sewa, Upaya:, and Nepal Tea Collective, and many more.

For internship placements, cohorts will be recommended to companies by their mentors. Partner companies will offer internships in various areas of interest, including Development, HR, social media, and more. The entire program is free of cost.

FAQs

Eligibility

Are there any requirements to participate in the program?

Anyone who is studying grade 8,9,10,11, 12 or in their gap years is eligible to participate in the program. The applicant must not have enrolled in a Bachelor’s program. Students must have access to a computer and a stable internet connection for video calls. Please contact us if you want to participate in this program but cannot meet this requirement.
What are the time commitments like?

Students are required to commit at least 13 hours per week to the program. The more time you can put into the program, the more you'll likely get out of the program.

Program Overview

Is the program free?

Yes! There is absolutely no cost to attend the program.
Where will the program be held?

This program will be conducted virtually. All communication will happen via video calls.
How will the 6 weeks of the program be organized?

In the first week, students and mentors meet within their individual teams to discuss their approach to completing the project. The teams will begin their projects on day one. During this week, there will also be introductions, games, and learning sessions for the entire cohort. From the 2nd to the 5th week, teams will focus on their projects under the guidance of their assigned mentors. The 6th week will be dedicated to wrapping up the projects. At the end of the program, there will be a project showcase featuring distinguished guests. Team members will have flexible working hours but must attend weekly meetings. Upon completion of the program, mentors will recommend their cohorts to our internship partner companies.

Selection Procedure

Are there any cut-offs for GPA/grades for the application process?

No, we do not have any strict cut-offs.
Is the selection process holistic or is there a certain part of the application that is more important?

All the applications will be considered on a holistic basis and all the components of the application will be considered to select a diverse and talented set of participants. We are looking for a group with strong work-ethic, creativity, and ambition.

Projects

Do we get to choose projects of our interests or are they assigned randomly?

You will be assigned to projects based on your interests and skills that are shown on your application.

Further Queries

Why should I participate in the program?

You will have the opportunity to collaborate with smart and motivated individuals to work on real-world projects. You will build a relationship with accomplished mentors from competitive universities. You can also showcase your project in your CV to gain an edge.
Is this program only for Science and Engineering students?

No. This program will feature projects across various disciplines: natural sciences, engineering, economics, humanities, and so on.
Do you give priority to the high schoolers over those in gap year?

No priorities will be given to anyone. Your selection depends on your application merit.
How can I contact Uunchai for any questions?

You can email us at uunchi1@gmail.com or message us on our Facebook Page.