Agreement for International Education Cooperation

Between North-West University (North-West Province, South Africa) and Brandon University (Brandon, Manitoba, Canada)

1. Purpose

In recognition of the proven value, both personal and educational, of the exchange experience for students, staff and faculty, it is our intention to establish, at the institutional level, the principles, policy guidelines and procedures required to facilitate such exchanges between our institutions.

2. Objective

The objective of this agreement is to encourage international educational cooperation and exchange between the two institutions in the following areas:

• development of mutual, beneficial academic programs and courses
• exchange of academic staff for purposes of teaching and research
• reciprocal assistance for visiting academic staff and students
• coordination of joint research, lectures and training
• exchange of documentation and research in fields of mutual interest
• exchange of students for study and research
• exchange of administrative staff for purposes of training and development of administration

3. Scope

The agreement between Brandon University and North-West University may be in any appropriate academic field available at either institution, subject to the prior approval of the administration of the host institution. One area of particular interest to both parties at the current time is Rural Development.

4. Exchange of Students

1. All student exchanges must operate within the existing guidelines and regulations of the Office of International Activities of Brandon University and of the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies, North-West University

2. The exchange students will be nominated by one institution and subject to acceptance by the other institution. Each exchange student will meet and satisfy the admission procedures and requirements of the department or institutes/schools/colleges to which he/she applies, as well as the prerequisites established for specific courses or programs.

3. Language proficiency of exchange students, other than those wishing to study language courses, will be gauged and verified to the host institution in advance by appropriate personnel (i.e. faculty members or others) of the sending institution.

4. Exchange students will be admitted in a non-degree status by the host institution for a period of one or two semesters and for a maximum of one academic year.

5. Subject to approval by the corresponding authorities, exchange students may take courses for credit, and the host institution will issue a transcript and grades for exchange students under the same rules and regulations as for its degree-seeking students.

6. An affidavit of financial support for living expenses must be submitted in advance to the host institution by the exchange student(s).

7. Exchange students must carry medical health insurance which meets the requirements of the host institution and/or the host government.

8. Each student participating in the exchange program is responsible for the following costs:

• Required fees to the host institution;
• Travel costs to and from each institution;
• Food and accommodation expenses;
• Medical health insurance and health service fees;
• Passport and visa costs;
• Course materials (i.e. laboratory fees and consumables) as required by the particular program the student is following; and
• Any other debts the student may incur during the period spent at the host institution.

9. Exchange students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations of the host institution and respect the cultural mores, national traditions and customs of the host country.

Student Groups

Special arrangements for groups of students from one institution to the other for the purpose of a short-term visit may be negotiated in a separate agreement.

5. Exchange of Professors

A) Teaching Exchanges

1. All teaching exchanges are based on the principle of reciprocity within the same academic year; each institution may nominate one of its professors to participate in an exchange for the purpose of teaching and research in the other institution on a reciprocal basis.

2. The participants are subject to approval by the host institution.

3. The period of exchange will normally be for one or two semesters, but not to exceed one academic year.

4. Travel and living expenses for professors on teaching exchanges are not compensated by the host institution.

5. In general, professors on teaching exchanges will remain on regular salary and benefits with their respective institutions; some additional remuneration for a differential cost of living may be paid by the host institution, subject to negotiation and dependent on the availability of funds at each institution.

6. Teaching course loads and working hours and conditions will normally be in accordance with established rules and practices of the host institution, subject to prior negotiation and agreement between the host institution and the faculty member.

7. Remuneration for special projects are subject to special negotiation between the faculty member and the host institution.

8. The host institution will provide an institutional appointment and office space, and will give access to libraries and other needed facilities for professors on teaching exchanges.

9. Professors on teaching exchanges must carry medical health insurance which meets the requirements of the host institution and/or the host government.

B) Visiting Scholars

1. Visiting scholars from either institution may make, at the request or with the approval of the host institution, a visit to the other institution for the purpose of research, consulting and short-term teaching, subject to prior negotiation.

2. Travel and living expenses for visiting scholars are not normally paid by the host institution, unless specific arrangements are made and agreed to in advance.

3. The host institution will provide institutional and library access; efforts will be made, subject to prior negotiation, to provide office space and access to needed facilities.

4. Visiting scholars must carry medical health insurance which meets the requirements of the host institution and/or the host government.

6. Duration, Conditions and Modifications of the Agreement

A) This agreement shall become effective upon the signature of the designated officials of both institutions, and its actual implementation will begin as soon as both institutions have identified qualified individuals in each institution ready to participate in the exchange.

B) This agreement will be valid for five years from the date of signature; however, three years shall be recognized as the accounting period, that is, beginning with the signing of the agreement, at the end of each three year period the number of students and faculty/staff exchanged should be in balance, although it may not be in any one year. Every effort will be made, however, to maintain the balance on a yearly basis.

C) The absence of exchanges during anyone academic year is possible and does not nullify this agreement.

D) In accordance with the relevant policies in place at each of the partner institutions, there will be no discrimination against any person, for any reason, who qualifies as a participant in the program supported by this document.

E) Modifications may be proposed at any time, effective from the date of written notification signed by both institution.

F) This agreement comes into effect from the moment of signing by the Presidents of both institutions for a period of five years and will, other than outright cancellation, automatically remain in force for the next five years unless notification is communicated by one of the institutions not less than six months before the end of that period

Agreement signed September 17, 2001
website: www.nwu.ac.za