MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN INDIAN AND FOREIGN

UNIVERSITIES

L ANAND

Ph.D (Nursing) Scholar,

Annamalai University

Introduction

All over the world, universities are experiencing and often themselves generating,

increasing pressures to internationalize their education. Indian universities have no

exception. As a result of globalization, nursing programmes had undergone various

changes and international collaboration is inevitable. The international collaborations

brought high quality research projects and adequate funding to developing countries in

exchange of knowledge and human resource. The success of any collaboration

depends on the written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). MOU spells out

partnerships and facilitates various agreements.

India has entered into Educational Exchange Programmes (EEPs)/Memorandum

of Understandings (MoUs) or through Joint Statements with 51 countries viz Mongolia,

Armenia, Tanzania, Guyana, Israel, Australia, Myanmar, Hungary, Syria, Uzbekistan,

New Zealand, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Brazil, Afghanistan, Croatia, Ecuador,

Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, China, Portugal, France, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Oman, South

Africa, Norway, Chile, Kuwait, Botswana, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Canada, Indonesia,

Mozambique, Russia, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Yemen, Qatar, Tajikistan, Burundi,

Belarus, Republic of Korea, Germany, Estonia U.S.A., United Kingdom, Czech Republic

and Peru.

India also has educational cooperation activities with different international

organizations and multi-lateral bodies like UNESCO, Commonwealth of Learning, E-9.

BRICS, SAARC, India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA), East Asia Summit (EAS), Association

of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional

Cooperation (IOR-ARC), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

(OECD), European Union (EU) etc.

What is Memorandum of Understanding?

A memorandum of understanding is a simply written agreement to the identify the

working relationship and guidelines between two parties/universities.MOU defines the

rights and responsibilities of each involved entity.

A memorandum of understanding is a tool to recognize and articulate

collaborations and partnership between two organization / parties / universities.

Documents called Memoranda of Understanding, Letters of Intent, or Heads of

Agreement are all instruments which are used to signify an intention to negotiate a

contract in the future. Memoranda of understanding are useful documents to "kick- start'

an agreement. They help lessen any discomfort that parties may feel where basic

parameters are not written down before a proper agreement is drafted. An MOU can

also help to make the arrangement clearer to the parties so as to speed up the process

of negotiation in relation to the agreement.

An MOU is not intended to be a legally binding document. If you want a legally

binding document then an MOU is not appropriate.

IMPORATNCE OF MOU

1. Sets better tone for participation.

2. Builds a stronger working relationship.

3. Sets up a structure for a partnership.

4. Clarifies how regulations will be interpreted.

5. Protects organizations rights and interest over time.

Objectives of MOU between Indian and foreign Universities (AICTE):

1. To facilitate collaboration and partnerships between Indian and Foreign

University / Institutions in the field of Technical education, Research and Training

2. To systematize the operation of Foreign Universities / Institutions providing

training and other educational services, in India leading to award of Degree,

Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and Post Diploma Level in technical education

on their own, under any mode of delivery system such as conventional / formal,

non-formal and distance mode.

3. To systematize the operation of Foreign Universities / Institutions providing

training and other educational services, in India leading to award of Degree,

Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and Post Diploma in technical education in

collaboration with an Indian educational Institution, under any mode of delivery

system such as conventional / formal, non-formal and distance mode.

4. To safeguard the interest of students’ community in India and ensure uniform

maintenance of Norms and Standards as prescribed by various Statutory Bodies.

5. To ensure accountability for all such educational activities by Foreign Universities

/ Institutions in India.

6. To safeguard against entry of non-accredited Universities / Institutions in the

Country of origin to impart technical education in India.

7. To safeguard the nation’s interest and take punitive measures, whenever

necessary, against the erring Institutions, on case-to-case basis.

Types of International collaborations which requires MOU:-

1. Student and faculty exchange program

2. Cultural exchange program

3. Visiting faculty

4. Sharing resources for achieving mutual goals

5. Development of standards of practice and quality assurance.

6. Competency validation and enhancement

7. Research projects

8. Funding for various programmes and research

9. Curriculum planning, revision ,implementation and evaluation.

10. Support for advanced courses.

11. Organizing workshop, conference etc

12. Implementation of various programs of apex bodies like WHO,UNESCO,ICN

13. Address transactional or global problem

Benefits of International collaboration

1. Students will learn how to offer “ Culturally competent care” by student exchange

program

2. Stops brain drain

3. Opportunities for marginally poor section to undergo education in foreign

universities

4. Sustainable growth and Economic viability of Indian Universities

5. Increases education standard and quality.

6. Increases employment opportunities

7. High quality research activities

8. Share and access technical skills

9. Sustain universities in global competition

10. Offers cost effective programs

Components of MOU :

In order to serve these purposes, the MOU needs to include several basic

components. These include the

INTRODUCTION / BACKGROUND: This information more fully describes the mission,

vision, and goals of each partner entering the MOU. • What are each organization’s

mission, vision, and/or goals?

PURPOSE: This section identifies the name of each partner entering into the

agreement and describes the purpose of the MOU. Why is this MOU being

established? Briefly state the reason for collaborative relationship of the parties

included in the MOU. • What is the official name of each organization?

SCOPE: Areas of cooperation, Legal boundaries and detail list of all activities and

functions should be written clearly.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This section states the role and responsibility of

each partner included in this MOU. It states how each organization will support the

relationship established by the MOU and what each will individually contribute to the

effort. The items in this section can be fairly specific and will likely relate to topics such

as leadership, communications, staff and volunteers, budget and finances, logos and

emblems, and overall accountability. • What roles or responsibilities will the partners

work on collectively (jointly) and how will they be accomplished? • What roles or duties

does each individual partner take full responsibility for in this partnership?

MEETINGS AND REPORTING: This section defines how and when the partners will

meet for purposes of ensuring the compliance of the MOU. It also includes specific

reporting agreements. • How many times will the partners meet during the duration of

the MOU? • What will be the format for these meetings (face‐to‐face, teleconference,

etc.)? • What are the reporting requirements of each partner (e.g., fiscal accountability,

progress of the partnership toward the stated goals/mission, impact of the program,

etc.)?

DURATION AND VALIDITY: This section describes when the MOU begins and ends.

• When will the MOU take effect? • When will the MOU expire?

FINANCE / FUNDING ; MOU should clearly state the funding principles, policies and

profit sharing policies etc.

LIABILITIES / RISKS : MOU should include the likely risks and liabilities covering both

the parties. Recovery of losses and loss sharing should be stated clearly.

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENTS: This section outlines how the MOU may be

terminated or amended. There may be instances when one of the cooperative partners

will need to amend or even terminate the relationship described by the MOU. Allow for

that smooth evolution by stating how that change can be completed. Typically this will

refer to time within which the other partner will need to be notified that changes are

necessary. It might be 60 days, 90 days, etc. • How will the MOU be terminated? • How

are amendments or changes to the MOU handled? • What is the time frame for

notification of termination or amendment?

DISPUTES AND CONFLICTS: Although MOU is not legally acceptable, Mechanism to

address any dispute or conflict arising out of implementation should be stated clearly.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES: An authorized individual from each organization will sign

and date the MOU. Each organization’s support of the agreement will be represented by

the signature of someone who serves in a leadership role for each partner. It can be a

committee chairperson or board president for other agencies involved in the MOU.

Conclusion:

Nursing education in era of globalization has gone cutting across boundaries.

Education system of one country has greater impact on health care delivery system of

other countries. Preparing a Nurse to fit the global needs is still a challenge.

International collaboration in nursing will help to address this challenge. A well prepared

MOU will certainly act as road map for smooth implementation of various cooperation

activities for mutual benefits.

Bibliography:

1. Jyoti S, Hothi B.S “Entry of Foreign Universities and Their Impact on the Indian Education System” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. 2011: Vol 4(1) ,163-165

2. Caston G (1996)“ The Management of International Cooperation In Universities” Paris.UNESCO,59-77.

3. AICTE official website.