International partnerships

UFV encourages the development of academic linkages/international partnerships and will support you in establishing and building relationships with other educational institutions. International partnerships are mutually beneficial relationships established between two or more departments, schools, or faculties in institutions of higher education.

UFV currently has more than 60 active international partnerships that include articulation/transfer agreements, faculty exchanges, study abroad and exchange opportunities for students, and the opportunity for organizing joint academic activities and collaborative research projects.

Linkages often originate through informal faculty or staff contacts, but eventually evolve into formal agreements which may cover a variety of forms of cooperation. Partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) are developed by following UFV’s protocols to ensure the quality of academic program activities, protect the integrity and academic reputation of the university, and to support a common database.

Successful partnerships require:

1. strong support by a department, small group of faculty, or an individual willing to serve as the champion(s) of the relationship
2. a focused theme or purpose
3. support for collaboration by the partner institution - partnerships must be mutually beneficial
4. congruency with the mission and internationalization goals and objectives of UFV

UFV has established protocols to deal with the following academic linkage possibilities:

• student exchanges
• study abroad programs for students
• faculty exchanges/visits
• Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) amongst institutions
• dual credential programs
• international development projects -- often involving multiple partners
• transfer articulation agreements -- such as “2+2s”
• funded student mobility agreements (CAN-EU, North American Mobility, etc.)
• joint research activities
• library and documentation exchange
• exchange of pedagogical material
• joint participation in seminars and conferences
• agreements with private partners or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and public agencies leading to cooperative activities such as internships and study abroad
• other forms of collaboration

Learn about:

• Types of international partnerships at UFV
• MOU processes and procedures
• Partnerships in Canada

UFV International will assist and/or take the lead role in setting up linkage agreements according to the procedures set forth in the UFV Policy on Linkages with Overseas Partners.

If you require further information on the process of establishing academic linkages and international partnerships, please contact John Potts, the Manager of International Partnerships.