As a Carnegie R-1 top-tier research institution, the University of Memphis is a catalyst for creativity, progress, and innovation. The Division of International Affairs encourages UofM faculty and staff to consider establishing partnerships with institutions or individuals outside the U.S. and provides support throughout the process. As a first step, complete the International Agreement Routing Form. [Button]
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Eight Stages for Developing Institutional Partnerships
(adapted from the Institute for International Education's International Academic Partnership Program)
The University of Memphis has built a strong network internationally through mutual growth and progress. By including IIE’s International Academic Partnership Program (IAPP) into our international partnership strategy, developing international partnerships are built off a strong foundation in which all can contribute, and all can benefit.
We have identified the following eight stages for developing institutional international partnerships based off IIE’s IAPP as key components of any successful partnership. For those new to the world of international partnerships, we hope this may prove to be a useful primer.
Stage 1: Assessment
Main elements: Gathering the necessary existing data to make an informed decision.
Key questions:
- What are the current collaborative activities taking place on campus? Who? And with which countries?
- What are our international student and study abroad goals?
- Where do we currently have international partnerships? Are they active? If so, what has made them successful?
- What are UofM’s strengths and areas of growth?
Stage 2: Developing a Strategy
Main Elements: Identifying priority regions, disciplines, and home institutional interest.
Key questions:
- What partnership activities are feasible for UofM? Who on campus is willing/able/needed to participate?
- What are my top partnership goals? How would a partnership benefit our school?
- What could UofM offer a partner?
- What is our timeframe for initiating a partnership?
Stage 3: Identifying Potential Partners
Main Elements: Planning a fact-finding trip, doing research, identifying faculty ties.
Key Questions:
- What are my top criteria for a partner?
- What type of financial commitment would this entail?
- Does the potential partner have similar or complementary areas of strength?
- Who from my institution should go? Who will be available at the potential partner institution?
Stage 4: Holding Face to Face Meetings
Main Elements: Gain an understanding of institutional priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
Key Questions:
- Does the institution “fit” with ours (i.e. similar mission, infrastructure, academic calendar)? And if not, are both parties willing to work on a solution?
- Are you able to meet with a variety of people (i.e. administrators, faculty, students, alumni, international students on campus)? What is your general impression of the institution?
- If possible, can the potential partner visit UofM?
Stage 5: Signing an Initial MOU Or MOA
Main Elements: Articulating concrete activities, identifying who is involved, and determining desired outcomes.
Key Questions:
- What are our potential synergies?
- What is our timeframe?
- How will the activities be funded? How will payments be executed?
- What legal aspects do we need to communicate to our potential partner, and what might they need to adhere to their own legal code?
Stage 6: Engaging in Initial Collaboration
Main Elements: Executing the activities mentioned in MOU/MOA.
Key Questions:
- How often will participants communicate? And through what medium?
- What is each institution responsible for producing/providing?
- Are all parties abiding by the terms laid out in the agreement?
Stage 7: Periodic Assessment
Main Elements: Ensuring that both parties continue to benefit from the partnership and improving/modifying where necessary. Where too difficult or unsatisfactory, the partnership may have to be terminated.
Key Questions:
- How do we evaluate success?
- What was the cost versus the benefit of initial partnership activities?
- Do both parties have the continued support of major stakeholders? (i.e. faculty, senior leadership, students, trustees.)
Stage 8: Partnership Expansion
Main Elements: Growing partnership activities to include more disciplines, people, and activities.
Key Questions:
- Who else would like to/is able to be involved in partnership activities?
- How can we expand upon the current activities? (ex. Faculty-led study abroad program leads to joint faculty research; joint symposium leads to faculty exchange.)
- How will we sustain funding?
Types of Agreements
Agreements are developed based on the activity proposed and provide an opportunity for parties to define the terms of collaboration. Please contact our office for guidance on determining which agreement is suitable for a proposed international activity. The State of Tennessee requires the duration of agreements to be five years with renewal after the end of the 5-year term.
Faculty and staff seeking to develop an international partnership must first complete an agreement routing form approved by their department chair and college dean. The Division of International Affairs is responsible for coordinating review and approval of international agreements and submission for the necessary signatures.
The Division of International Affairs in collaboration with the Office of Legal Counsel has identified the following types of international agreements.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a non-binding agreement between two institutions to declare an intent to explore opportunities for collaboration. MOU’s may lead to more specific activities and goals, which may be expressed in a memorandum of agreement. MOU’s do not require any party to commit funds or other resources. .
- Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is a legally binding document which details specific activities, resources, outcomes, institutional and financial obligations of each party. MOA’s are used to establish reciprocal exchange programs, joint or dual degree programs, and vendor or affiliation agreements.
Types of MOA’s
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- Dual Degree agreements confer two separate degrees from each participating institution.
- Under Joint Degree agreements, two institutions agree to award a single joint degree from both institutions.
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- Bilateral or Reciprocal Student Exchange Agreements are programs where students from each institution can spend either a semester or year at the host institution as a non-degree transient student. Articulated Transfer Credit Agreements (1+3, 2+2 or other plus programs) are partnerships between two institutions to provide a roadmap on how specific courses taken at one institution will transfer and apply towards the student’s degree plan at another.
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- Faculty Exchange Agreements are an exchange of faculty between two institutions to teach or research at the partner institution.
- Contracts for vendor services specify agreements with another party (a business, university, non-profit, or individual) who provides a service in exchange for a fee. Service provider contracts are usually reviewed by the procurement office and the legal counsel’s office.
- Other