MOU process and procedures

Step 1  

Faculty members who have an interest in developing a partnership or project should ask:

• Am I willing to devote the time and energy necessary to plan and implement an international partnership and give it priority for an extended period of time? Even though there may be funding or institutional support and assistance from UFV International, partnership work is labour intensive. For example, it can involve lengthy email correspondence at nights and on weekends as time zones are crossed. Hosting international partner visits is a socially demanding process that requires knowledge and sensitivity to other cultures as well as evening and weekend activities.
  
• Is the university or organization a suitable partner for UFV? Is it an accredited university? Are there similarities with UFV and/or do their differences complement UFV program(s)? Will the project/program be appealing to our students and to other faculty? Does the other university or entity have the capacity and financial means to contribute to the partnership, or are they looking to UFV to finance the cooperation?
  
• How does this fit with our education and strategic plan and how will it benefit students, faculty, UFV’s other employees, and/or the UFV community?
  
• Is it sustainable? 
   
• Are there any opportunities for external funding?

These are just some of the questions to consider. UFV International can assist faculty, department heads, and Deans with determining the advisability, practicality, and utility of potential partnerships.

Step 2

UFV International can advise and assist you in developing a rationale for a partnership and can participate in discussions of the proposed partnership with your department head and Dean.

Step 3

If these preliminary conversations are encouraging, proceed as directed by the Dean. The scale of the project, the financial commitment, risk, and other considerations may require the involvement of the Finance department, the Senate, and even the Board of Directors.

UFV International can help coordinate the discussions, assist with planning, risk analysis, proposal writing, and facilitate the development and signing of the MOU(s).
 
UFV International has the institutional responsibility to ensure that protocols are followed and to maintain the database for international agreements and partnerships. UFV International provides the appropriate forms and archives all approved formal international partnerships.

Step 4

UFV International will work with you to correspond with international partners in order to develop agreements that are satisfactory to both sides. Often the partners may want to use their own agreement – which is acceptable if it meets UFV’s requirements – or they may want to make changes to our existing agreements. Signing will take place by both parties and UFV International facilitates this process.