Council Policy Statement
Introduction | Purpose of the Program | Strategic Direction | Program Structure | Principles of resource allocation | Delegated Authority | Principles of Administration
Policy Statement
"The University of Melbourne International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program" policy statement has replaced the "International Exchange Agreement Guidelines", published as Regulation 4.1R1, made under Statute 4.1. Those guidelines were originally adopted by Council in June, 1989 as Standing Resolution 5.27
The policy statement was approved by Council on 6 July, 1998.
top of pageIntroduction
The success of international exchange activities depends fundamentally on the vision, energy and commitment of the people involved. They identify, develop and participate in activities that have benefit for themselves and their counterparts, and by implication, for their respective home institutions.
The University of Melbourne International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program facilitates the expression and achievement of academic and personal aspirations in this context.
top of pagePurpose of the Program
The University of Melbourne International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program supports the achievement of the University's strategic plan objectives and contributes to the University's global positioning by building a network of carefully managed strategic alliances which
- increase targeted opportunities for international student and staff mobility
- strengthen international research collaboration
- initiate structured processes for institutional inter-operability with other leading universities around the world
- raise awareness of the University's high quality education and research offerings in countries and market segments where such links may lead to recruitment of fee-paying students.
Strategic Direction
These strategic considerations are of overriding importance for planning, development and management of the International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program. They guide the selection of partner institutions for formal agreements, the nature of the cooperation defined under such agreements, and the resources allocated by the University to support the establishment of active and substantive linkages through this program.
Decisions about initiating or renewing agreements will be taken in the context of University strategies for interaction with particular geographic regions, countries, and/or international agencies or groupings of like minded institutions.
The level and nature of and investment in individual agreements reflects the relative importance of the partner institution to the University's strategic objectives.
top of pageProgram Structure
The International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program creates links at a number of different levels:
(a) within a formalised network of institutions, such as Universitas 21
(b) at University level with other universities/academies, or other institutions and organisations of strategic relevance
(c) at Faculty level with Faculties of other universities, or in some cases with smaller, specialist institutions
(d) at Department or Centre level with counterpart units,
and for a range of cooperative activities:
- research collaboration
- academic exchange
- student exchange
- cultural exchange
- information sharing
- sharing of facilities
- staff development.
The development of network and University level agreements is to be consistent with and contribute directly to the University's strategic and operational plans. Faculty and Department level agreements need to harmonise with Faculty plans. By implication, they will be consistent with the University's overall direction.
top of pagePrinciples of resource allocation
University resources and central administrative support will be made available for agreements at network or University level, as under a) and b) above, subject to structured program budgets.
Faculties are responsible for resourcing and administrative support for agreements at Faculty or Departmental level, as under c) and d) above.
top of pageDelegated Authority
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and development of the International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program, including supervision of the program budget, promotion strategy, and administration.
University-Level Agreements
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International initiates or receives proposals for all University-level international agreements with other institutions or networks, and, in consultation with members of the University's Senior Executive, makes recommendations on the strategic priority of these proposals for consideration by the International Programs Committee. If endorsed by that Committee, these agreements are referred to the Planning and Budget Committee for approval, and to Council for ratification.
Faculty-Level Agreements
The International Relations Office offers advice to Deans on proposed Faculty-level agreements, and makes recommendations to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International. The Deputy Vice-Chancellors are authorised to execute Faculty level Agreements.
Departmental-Level Agreements
Department-level agreements are approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International, and executed by the Dean.
Student Exchange
To ensure that regulatory requirements for reciprocity are observed, any level of agreement that encompasses student exchange, other than for short-term research projects, will be considered by the International Committee on the recommendation of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International.
The International Committee receives regular reports on all international academic cooperation and exchange agreement activities.
top of pagePrinciples of Administration
Administration and management protocols of the International Academic Cooperation and Exchange Program are designed to ensure that
- administration is efficient and effective
- transparent and robust systems for information management are implemented
- extent and quality of activities under exchange agreements, and program budget expenditure, are monitored and recorded
- all agreements contain a sunset clause and reviews are scheduled in good time to prevent them lapsing if renewal is intended
- appropriate information on strategic value and previous activity is presented for review purposes
- compliance with DEST regulations covering international student movements under exchange agreements can be readily demonstrated.
The International Relations Office is responsible for program management.
14 July, 1999