Policy

International Agreements - Policy

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1.0 Purpose and Scope

The University of Queensland (UQ) recognises that engagement and collaboration with the community, government, agencies and business are critical success factors in UQ’s capacity to meet the rapidly changing needs of society. The entire UQ community is enriched by UQ’s relationships with International Partners.

This policy provides the strategic framework for establishing and monitoring partnership agreements with international entities. The policy aims to assist with managing risk to UQ and ensuring that UQ’s international activities align with its identified strategic priorities.

1.1 Scope

This policy covers agreements that establish, document and support collaborative relationships and activities with International Partners (i.e. governments, institutions, and business), and includes undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research student and staff mobility programs, pathway articulation programs, sponsorship/scholarship arrangements and agreements that support general academic and research collaborations with International Partners (e.g. International Cooperation Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Memoranda of Agreement, Letters of Intent, etc.).

Activities that relate to the collaborative academic arrangements with International Partners will also be subject to the Collaborative Academic Program Arrangements Policy

Any sponsored research, contract research, collaborative research, research infrastructure, consultancy, visiting fellow, intellectual property or research-related agreements with international funding providers or partners, and where UQ is a collaborator, recipient or distributer of contract research funding, grants or service fees, are not within scope of this policy and are subject to the Administration of Research Funding: Applications, Grants and Contract Research Policy and the Consultancy, Secondary Employment and Internal Work Policy.

Donations and research philanthropy must be administered in accordance with the Philanthropy and Fundraising Policy.

2.0 Principles and Key Requirements

The Global Engagement  Framework has been developed to support UQ’s overarching goal of global connectedness to ensure stronger integration of country and partner engagement initiatives. It does so by adopting a targeted approach to engagement through the identification of priority countries and partners with whom UQ can maintain highly engaged relationships. Establishing and managing strategic partnerships with International Partners in order to drive mutually beneficial outcomes is a priority. To achieve this, UQ will:

1. Ensure proposals for new agreements complement and align with UQ’s strategic priorities and Global Engagement Framework.

2. Ensure any agreements are cognisant of and compliant with Australian, foreign and international laws relevant to the activity including the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018, Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020 and export controls.

3. Ensure any agreements do not expose UQ to unacceptable commercial, legal or reputational risks.

2.1 Levels of engagement

UQ may collaborate and enter into a formal arrangement with an International Partner at two levels:

  • University wide – partnerships that commit UQ to a whole-of-institution engagement; or
  • Faculty/Institute/Other Division/Centre – partnerships that commit only one UQ Faculty, Institute, other division, or centre to engagement activities.

2.2 Legal agreements

The appropriate agreement for use with an International Partner and ongoing measures for quality assurance, management and review required for the arrangement will be determined by:

  • the nature of the International Partner’s engagement with UQ and the activities proposed to be covered by the agreement;
  • the International Partner’s legal status (higher education institution, government body or corporation); and
  • the level of risk UQ may be exposed to as a result of entering into the arrangement.

3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

3.1 UQ Global Partnerships

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) is responsible for the strategic management of UQ’s international engagement to enable a streamlined and centralised approach to the development of international partnership agreements.

The International Agreements Team within  Global Partnerships is responsible for ensuring that any International Agreement is signed in accordance with the Schedule of Contract Delegations and Sub-delegations

4.0 Monitoring, Review and Assurance

Global Partnerships will review this policy as required to ensure its currency and relevance to the management of UQ’s international engagement and agreements activities.

5.0 Recording and Reporting

Global Partnerships will:

  • advise UQ stakeholders on trends and changes with International Agreement practices;
  • maintain a record of all International Agreements that UQ enters into via the International Agreements Database;
  • report new International Agreements entered into, on a monthly basis to the Offices of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation);
  • disseminate new International Agreement information reports to the broader UQ community; and
  • notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs of proposals and arrangements, as required under the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020.

6.0 Appendix

6.1 Definitions, Terms and Acronyms

International Agreement – contracts or agreements with a foreign entity, including:

  1. Universities, higher education or research institutions;

  2. Governments and their agencies; and

  3. Sponsors, scholarship providers and corporations,

That document intended or required co-operation and other activities by the University and the foreign entity that are:

  1. Contracts and Agreements about:

    1. Undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange and study abroad;

    2. Higher degree research supervision and mobility;

    3. Academic and professional staff mobility;

    4. pathway articuation;

    5. international scholarship and sponsorship, and

    6. general academic and research collaboration,
      provided that:

      1. 'research collaboration’' agreement above, means an overarching, non-binding agreement or arrangement that does require the, payment or receipt of money or other valuable consideration or the actual undertaking of research; and

      2. International Agreements exclude Research Agreements made through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)’s Organisational Area.

Engagement Activity/Initiative – includes collaborative academic programs, general cooperative research, student and staff mobility and visits and joint academic events.

International Partners – includes offshore higher education institutions, research institutions, public bodies, foreign governments, sponsors, scholarship providers, agencies and corporations. 

6.2 Related policies, procedures and strategies

Delegations

Collaborative Academic Program Arrangements

Enterprise Risk Management Framework

Academic Program Approval

Credit for Previous Studies and RPL

Administration of Research Funding: Applications, Grants and Contract Research

Consultancy, Secondary Employment and Internal Work

Safeguards for International Research

Global Engagement  Framework

6.3 Relevant legislation and information

Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011

Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011

Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020

Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018

National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018

University Foreign Interference Taskforce Guidelines (November 2019)

Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2017

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove

Procedures

International Agreements - Procedures

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1.0 Purpose and Scope

This procedure outlines the processes required for establishing and managing partnership agreements with International Partners.

This procedure supports the International Agreements Policy and covers agreements that establish, document and support collaborative relationships and activities with International Partners (i.e. governments, institutions, and business), and includes undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research student and staff mobility programs, pathway articulation programs, sponsorship/scholarship arrangements and agreements that support general research collaborations with International Partners (e.g. International Cooperation Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding, Memoranda of Agreement, Letters of Intent, etc.).

This procedure applies to UQ staff involved in:

  • the development of International Agreement proposals; and
  • the ongoing management of International Agreements.

Any sponsored research, contract research, collaborative research, research infrastructure, consultancy, visiting fellow, intellectual property or research-related agreements with international funding providers or partners, and where UQ is a collaborator, recipient or distributer of contract research funding, grants or service fees, are not within scope of this policy and are subject to the Administration of Research Funding: Applications, Grants and Contract Research Policy and the Consultancy, Secondary Employment and Internal Work Policy.

Donations and research philanthropy must be administered in accordance with the Philanthropy and Fundraising Policy.

1.1 Types of agreements

Collaborative international partnership agreements can engage UQ at a university-wide, Faculty, Institute, other division level. Engagement may be bilateral or multilateral and include partners from within Australia and abroad. Partner institutions may be higher education institutions, corporations, government bodies, not-for-profit organisations and other entities; although UQ expects that the majority of partners will be higher education institutions.

2.0 Process and Key Controls

1. Before proposing a new International Agreement, UQ staff must consider:

  • its strategic purpose and how it aligns with UQ’s International Agreements Policy;
  • its business planning and risk management implications in consultation with relevant UQ stakeholders; 
  • the most appropriate type and level of engagement;
  • the approvals required from UQ and external partners to execute any formal agreement; and
  • ongoing management of agreements, including their monitoring, review and reporting requirements.

2. Proposals to establish an International Agreement must be developed in writing using a Proposal Form for an International Agreement (outlined in section 3.1).

3. UQ staff must consult Global Partnerships and seek the required approvals (outlined in section 3.2) prior to committing UQ to any International Agreement.

4. The execution of an International Agreement involving UQ must comply with UQ’s Delegations Policy and Financial and Contract Sub-delegations Procedure. 

3.0 Key Requirements

3.1 International Agreement proposal

Faculties and Institutes seeking to establish an International Agreement must develop a written proposal using a Proposal Form for an International Agreement [5]. The proposal must:

  • show how the proposed collaborative activity aligns with UQ’s strategic priorities and Global Engagement  Framework;

  • include due diligence of the International Partner with support from  Global Partnerships, Research Partnerships and other relevant areas;

  • include appropriate business planning and risk management measures commensurate to the type of engagement;

  • identify expected outcomes of the activities and how success will be measured;

  • confirm that consultation that has been undertaken with relevant stakeholders across UQ; and

  • identify either an individual or a management team within UQ that will be responsible for managing the activities of the agreement.

Additional consultation and approvals may be required for certain types of agreements, including Student Mobility; Recognition of Prior Learning (Articulation, Credit Transfer), Double Degrees, Joint Awards, Scholarships, and agreements relating to Transnational Education.

Descriptions of these agreements are provided in the appendix.

Further information about additional consultation and approvals is provided in the International Agreement Guidelines.

Faculties, Institutes and Divisions should contact Global Partnerships [6] for assistance and advice in developing their proposals, including more detailed information about their proposal’s consultation and approval obligations.

3.2 Proposal approval

Proposals developed within Faculties, Institutes or other Divisions must be:

  • endorsed by the relevant Executive Dean, Institute Director* or Division Head; and
  • provided to the Manager, International Agreements.

The International Agreements team will arrange for endorsed proposals to be  progressed to the Pro- Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) for approval.**

*For institutes within faculties, the approving authority is the Executive Dean.
** For agreements documenting collaborative academic program arrangements, all required approvals must be obtained prior to submitting a proposal for a new international agreement. Refer to the Collaborative Academic Program Arrangements Policy.

3.3 Agreements

Once a proposal for an International Agreement has been approved, the International Agreements team will prepare a formal agreement between UQ and the external party in relation to the approved international engagement activities. The team will prepare all agreements, preferably using template International Agreements provided by Legal Services, in consultation with the proposing Faculty, Institute or Division and relevant internal stakeholders. In some cases, it may be appropriate to accept a template agreement provided by the partner, which the International Agreements team will review in consultation with Legal Services.

Refer to the International Agreement Guidelines for types of agreements.

3.4 Executing an agreement

International Agreements must be executed in accordance with UQ’s Delegations Policy and Financial and Contract Sub-delegations Procedure. In accordance with the Schedule of Contract Delegations and Sub-delegations, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) has delegated authority to sign International Agreements.

The International Agreements team arranges for the execution of International Agreements between UQ and partner organisations.

3.5 Monitoring and review of agreements

International Agreements

The Faculty, Institute or other Division that initiates the International Agreement must have ongoing monitoring and review mechanisms in place to assess the collaborative activity outlined in the agreement.

The Global Partnerships  Office will conduct  a formal annual review of expiring agreements  and require the responsible Faculty, Institute or Division to:

  • report on activity and outcomes under the agreement as identified in the original proposal; and

  • make recommendations to Global Partnerships on the merits of the agreement’s renewal or termination.

Student mobility agreements

Student Enrichment and Employability Development will monitor student exchange agreements and advise Global Partnerships on the performance of UQ’s formal student exchange agreements (undergraduate and postgraduate coursework). Advice should include emerging barriers and the balance of student exchange numbers with partner institutions and make recommendations on the merit of the agreement’s renewal or termination.

The Graduate School will monitor, review and advise Global Partnerships on the performance of Higher Degree Research mobility agreements including recommendations on the merit of the agreement’s renewal or termination.

Review reports

A summary of the review report recommendations  will be presented to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) for endorsement and approval.

Agreements under which there has been little, or no activity should be reviewed. 

4.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

4.1 UQ International Agreements team

The International Agreements team facilitates the development of International Agreements (subject to this procedure), which formalise international engagement activities and is responsible for the following:

  • providing UQ staff with policy and procedural advice on establishing International Agreements;
  • conducting research relating to institutional partners;
  • facilitating and managing UQ’s International Agreements process as outlined in this procedure, including drafting and editing International Agreement documentation, the execution of agreements and record-keeping requirements;
  • conducting an annual review of UQ’s International Agreements; and
  • assisting with high-level reports and maintain a database of the UQ’s international engagement agreements.

4.2 UQ staff

UQ staff must comply with this procedure when seeking to establish an International Agreement involving UQ, including consulting the International Agreements team and Global Partnerships early in the development phase of any proposal.

4.3 Directors of Portfolios or Divisions, Executive Deans and Directors of Research Institutes

Directors of Portfolios or Divisions, Executive Deans and Directors of Research Institutes must comply with this procedure, including when exercising their approval authorities in relation to International Agreement proposals and agreements. For institutes within faculties, the approving authority is the Executive Dean.

Contract delegations and sub-delegations must be exercised in accordance with the Schedule of Contract Delegations and Sub-Delegations.

5.0 Monitoring, Review and Assurance

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) is responsible for the implementation of this procedure, including ensuring that Executive Deans, Institute Directors and other Division leaders report on their international engagement activities as required under this procedure.

The International Agreements team will review this procedure as required to ensure its currency and relevance to the management of international engagement activities at UQ.

6.0 Recording and Reporting

The International Agreements team  is responsible for reporting to the Pro- Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships)  on all International Agreements.

The International Agreements team maintains an International Agreements Database that keeps a record of all proposed and current International Agreements. The team is also responsible for conducting an annual review of expiring agreements with recommendations compiled in a Review of Expiring Agreements Report for presentation to the Pro- Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships).

7.0 Appendix

7.1 Definitions, Terms and Acronyms

Articulation – articulation pathways facilitate the progression of students from a partner institution to UQ. Articulation involves the recognition of a completed or partially completed award of a partner institution through the transfer of specified credit to a UQ award.

Coursework Exchange – the mobility of undergraduate or postgraduate coursework students between partner institutions where fees are not charged by the host institution.

Clinical Placement Exchange – the mobility of students between partner institutions who facilitate short term clinical placement opportunities for incoming students.

Credit Transfer – a process that provides students with agreed credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between matched qualifications. UQ may grant a student specified or unspecified credit for a number of units towards a UQ award on the basis of either previous formal study or recognised prior learning. The type of credit transfer granted depends on the program rules and the structure of an individual program (refer to Credit for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning Policy [10]).

Double Degree Program – (also known as a Collaborative Double Degree Program or dual award) is a course of study which results in two separate awards being conferred from two institutions and are usually completed in a shorter timeframe than if completed separately.

Engagement Activity/Initiative – includes collaborative academic programs, general cooperative research, student and staff mobility and visits and joint academic events.

Higher Degree Research Mobility

  • Exchange* – the mobility of HDR candidates for up to 12 months between partner institutions.
  • Collaborative Supervision* – means a doctoral research project jointly supervised by both institutions, where the Candidate spends a minimum time equivalent to the total of 1 year over the course of their award enrolled at the Host Institution.
  • Joint PhD* (including Co-Tutelle) – the joint award of a PhD to a student. A joint PhD is awarded by collaborating institutions. Students are regulated by an individual agreement outlining the specific terms and conditions of their Joint PhD program.

*Fees are not charged by the host. In some circumstances, where preferred partnerships exist, the HDR candidate may receive financial sponsorship from UQ and/or partner institution.

International Agreement – contracts or agreements with a foreign entity, including:

  1. Universities, higher education or research institutions;

  2. Governments and their agencies; and

  3. Sponsors, scholarship providers and corporations,

That document intended or required co-operation and other activities by the University and the foreign entity that are:

  1. Contracts and Agreements about:

    1. Undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange and study abroad;

    2. Higher degree research supervision and mobility;

    3. Academic and professional staff mobility;

    4. pathway articulation;

    5. international scholarship and sponsorship, and

    6. general academic and research collaboration,
      provided that:

      1. 'research collaboration’' agreement above, means an overarching, non-binding agreement or arrangement that does require the, payment or receipt of money or other valuable consideration or the actual undertaking of research; and

      2. International Agreements exclude Research Agreements made through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)’s Organisational Area.

Joint awards – Joint awards involve the awarding of a single qualification that is jointly conferred by two or more providers and recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework. The arrangements for awarding the degree may include:

  • Joint award of a degree, whereby each institution awards a degree for the same program of work. An appropriate notation can be made to this effect on the UQ testamur and can be clearly specified in the agreement between UQ and the partner institution.
  • Dual badging of a degree, whereby the university or other institutions awarding the degree recognises the involvement of the partner institution by inclusion of their crest (or other device) on the testamur.

Recognition of Prior Learning – an assessment process that involves assessment of an individual’s relevant prior learning (including formal, informal and non-formal) to determine eligibility for admission, credit and/or exemptions. (Refer to 3.50.03 Recognition of Prior Learning policy)

Scholarship – a Scholarship Agreement sets out the terms and conditions between UQ and the scholarship body for accepting students on a scholarship to study at UQ.

Staff Mobility – programs aimed to support staff mobility between UQ and other institutions usually via Erasmus+ funding.

Student Mobility – programs aimed to support student movement between UQ and other institutions and include HDR Mobility (collaborative supervision, joint PhD & research exchange), coursework exchange, study abroad, and clinical placement exchange.

Study Abroad – a program where incoming students enrol as non-award students at UQ for one or two semesters/ research quarters of study on a tuition fee-paying basis.

Transnational Education – the delivery of degrees in a country or territory other than that where the awarding provider is based.

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove

Guidelines

International Agreements - Guidelines

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1.0 Purpose and Scope

This guideline provides supplementary information and directions for good practice in relation to the development and review of international agreements and is complementary to the International Agreements Procedure.

2.0 Consultation and Approvals

Additional consultation and approval is required for certain types of agreements.

2.1 Student Mobility

Additional consultation and assessment is required prior to a proposal being submitted to Global Partnerships, as set out below. Prior to a proposal being submitted to Global Partnerships, the following must occur:

2.1.1 Coursework Exchange

  • Faculty completes proposal document including a coursework Exchange Checklist (see forms).

  • Faculty sends proposal and checklist to the Senior Manager, Experiences and Evaluation, and the Director, Student Enrichment and Employability for review and endorsement.

  • Proposal and coursework Exchange Checklist sent to the Faculty Executive Dean for consideration and endorsement.

  • Recommendations from Faculty and  Student Enrichment and Employability sent to the Manager, International Agreements  to facilitate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) for consideration of proposal and approval.

2.1.2 Higher Degree Research (HDR) Mobility (includes collaborative supervision, joint PhD, HDR exchange)

  • Specific questions need to be addressed as part of any proposal involving PhD activities that will be presented to the Graduate School. The proposal must:

1. Clarify how the partnership will align with Faculty/Institute and UQ Global Strategy for the specific country and indicate what other priority partners the Faculty/Institute already has agreements with.

2. Have the support of the Faculty/Institute Executive Dean/Director with clear funding implications costed out. It is recommended that consultation occur with the Faculty Engagement Manager.

3. Indicate how the success of the partnership will be measured and what key outcomes are anticipated.

*Initiators must recognise that bespoke/thematic agreements, particularly those with funding attached are not necessarily supporting university wide engagement and emerging areas of engagement need to be formally approved and added.

  • Proposal sent to the Faculty Executive Dean or Institute Director for consideration.
  • Faculty Executive Dean or Institute Director recommendation sent to the Dean, Graduate School for consideration.
  • If endorsed, the Dean, Graduate School sends the proposal to Manager, International Agreements to facilitate the PVC (Global Partnerships) approval of proposal and to develop agreement documentation in consultation with the Graduate School.

2.1.3 Study Abroad

  • Academic/Professional staff member to consult with Future Students prior to completing a proposal form. If the Study Abroad arrangement is supported, a proposal form is completed and signed by the Director, Future Students who endorses and forwards to the Manager, International Agreements who will facilitate PVC (Global Partnerships)  approval of proposal and to develop agreement documentation.

2.2 Recognition of Prior Learning (Articulation/Credit) Arrangements and Double Degree Programs

Recognition of Prior Learning programs and double degrees facilitate the enrolment of students from a partner institution into a UQ program with credits. Students will be awarded the UQ degree on completion of the necessary units at UQ, and in some cases the partner institution award. Some double degree programs can also facilitate the enrolment of UQ students into a partner institution program with credits.

Proposals need to:

  • Confirm that consultation/notification has occurred with relevant areas of UQ (i.e. Faculty Associate Dean Academic, International Admissions Section).

  • Address checklist articulation questions (see forms) in order to identify program specifics about credit granted, including notification if the UQ degree program is to be reviewed during the course of the agreement.

  • Consider other policies governing recognition of prior learning and credit transfer arrangements (e.g. Credit for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning Policy and Collaborative Academic Program Arrangements Policy).

Proposals need to be approved by the Executive Dean or Institute Director and sent to the Manager, International Agreements for processing and facilitating further approvals if required.

2.3 Scholarship

Scholarship agreements are usually entered into with overseas government funding bodies and ministries. Prior to submitting a scholarship proposal to Global Partnerships, the following must occur:

  • As part of consultation and analysis, the agreement initiator must first consult with the Senior Manager, Sponsored Students Unit (SSU) regarding the proposed scholarship arrangement.

  • The Senior Manager, SSU will advise the agreement initiator who they need consult within UQ if required.

  • The Senior Manager, SSU will also supply written guidance on the research that the agreement initiator needs to conduct prior to entering into a scholarship agreement on risk analysis, regional and political analysis, objectives and benefits of the agreement, financial commitments, administrative management and terms and conditions of the scholarship.

  • The initiator completes the proposal form and submits it to the Senior Manager, SSU ) for review and forwarding to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) for approval.

2.4 Transnational Education (includes Joint awards)

The initiating Faculty/Institute must follow due process in obtaining approval of the program (via Committee for Academic Programs Policy (CAPP) and Academic Board). A proposal, along with evidence of Vice Chancellor approval of the program is submitted to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships).. The drafting of the agreement/contract would be managed by UQ Legal Services with instructions from International Agreement Team and the initiating Faculty /Institute.

3.0 Types of Agreements

The International Agreements team has developed a range of agreements in consultation with Legal Services that can be utilised to meet the most common forms of cooperation with international partners. The common types of cooperative activities provided for on template agreements include:

International Cooperation Agreement (refer definitions)

Memorandum of Understanding (refer definitions)

Letter of Intent (refer definitions)

Stand-alone Agreements (refer definitions):

Student Mobility Agreement – a document that enables the exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students between UQ and a partner institution for one or two semesters.

Study Abroad Agreement – a document that formalises the arrangement for a partner institution to send students who enrol as non-award students at UQ for one or two semesters on a tuition fee-paying basis.

Recognition of Prior Learning (Articulation) Agreement – a document that formalises the progression of students from a partner institution to UQ detailing the completed or partially completed award at the partner institution to be credited to a UQ award. The agreement also documents the required study at UQ in order to obtain the UQ award.

Double Degree Agreement – a document that enables the progression of students from one institution to a partner institution detailing a course of study that upon successful completion, results in two separate awards being conferred from the two institutions.

Higher Degree Research Exchange – a document that enables the exchange of higher degree research students for up to 12 months between partner institutions.

Collaborative  Supervision Agreement – a document that enables the mobility of higher degree research students between partner institutions, to undertake a research project jointly supervised by both institutions, where the students spends a minimum time of one year over their award enrolled at the host institution.

If a different or specialised agreement is proposed, the International Agreements team will work with the initiator and Legal Services to draft a bespoke agreement. In some cases, it may be appropriate to accept a template agreement provided by the partner, which the International Agreements team will review in consultation with Legal Services.

4.0 Standard Processing Timelines

Action

Timeframe

Proposal Form for an International Agreement received in UQ Global Partnerships

Recorded on database

Reviewed (and additional advice sought if required)

Forwarded to PVCGP (if applicable) for approval

approximately 2 weeks
Proposal reviewed and approved by PVCGP  up to 2 weeks
Initiator notified of proposal approved outcome if International Agreements team commence work on the draft agreement within 1 week
Consultation on draft agreement (internally)  within 1-2 weeks
Consultation on draft agreement (with partner) 1 month +
Signing of agreement at UQ by PVCGP - within 1 week
Signing of agreement by partner organisation  2 months +, depending on partner's response and partner's internal processes

* Timeline for a bespoke agreements will take longer to prepare and negotiate.

5.0 Definitions, Terms and Acronyms

International Cooperation Agreement – a legally binding document that enables the parties to engage in any one or more of a number of collaborative activities detailed in a separate agreement.

Letter of Intent – a document that foreshadows the range of activities that might be developed between parties and is used as a signal that the negotiations are proceeding in good faith.

Memorandum of Understanding – typically a non-legally binding document that sets out the parties’ commitment and intentions to collaborate with the intent that separate agreements will set out specific terms and conditions.

Stand-alone Agreements – documents that are independent of any other agreement and are used for regular international activities (e.g. Student Mobility, Study Abroad, Recognition of Prior Learning)

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove

Forms

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Double Degree Agreement Checklist

Double Degree Agreement Checklist

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Description: 

If the international collaborative activity being proposed involves a Double Degree Agreement, the Double Degree Agreement Checklist is to be completed by the initiating UQ staff member, in addition to the Proposal Form for a New International Agreement.

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove
International Agreement Proposal - Form

International Agreement Proposal - Form

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Description: 

The Proposal Form for a New International Agreement is to be used by UQ staff members who wish to establish an international collaborative partnership. The aim of the form is to identify:

  • how the agreement aligns with School/Faculty/Institute and broader UQ Global Engagement priorities;
  • the benefits to each organisation;
  • the expected outcomes to measure its success;
  • potential risks and strategies to manage risks; and
  • confirm that consultation has occurred with relevant areas of The University.

The form is used regardless of whether the engagement is University-wide or limited to a Faculty/Institute. Prior to completing the form, the UQ staff member should consult with their Faculty/Institute International Development Manager (or equivalent). The support of the Head of School/Director and approval by the Executive Dean or Institute Director are required prior to submitting the completed form to the Manager, International Agreements, UQ Global Engagement.

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove
International Student Exchange Agreement Checklist - Form

International Student Exchange Agreement Checklist - Form

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Description: 

If the international collaborative activity being proposed involves Official Student Exchange, the Exchange Agreement Checklist - Internal form is to be completed by the initiating UQ staff member, in addition to the Proposal Form for a New International Agreement.

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (Articulation and Credit Transfer) Checklist - Form

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) (Articulation and Credit Transfer) Checklist - Form

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Description: 

If the international collaborative activity being proposed involves articulation, credit transfer or advanced standing, the Articulation/Credit Transfer Agreement Checklist form is to be completed by the initiating UQ staff member, in addition to the Proposal Form for a New International Agreement.

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove
Renew International Agreement - Form

Renew International Agreement - Form

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Description: 

If a Faculty/Institute/Division wish to renew an agreement, the Recommendation to Renew an International Agreement form is to be completed. Any renewal requires the support of the Head of School (or equivalent) and the approval by the Executive Dean, prior to submitting the form to the International Agreements Coordinator, Global Engagement, UQ International.

Note: Periodically, UQ International will facilitate a formal Review for Renewal of all agreements due for expiry within 12 months. The Faculty/Institute is required to report on activity and outcomes under these agreements, and to make recommendations on the renewal (or termination) of the agreement.

Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove
Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove
Custodians
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships) Mr Brett Lovegrove