Propose an International Partnership

International partnerships are vital to the internationalization of the campus and enhance the University’s global impact. In order to realize the full potential in a partnership and to establish the basis for long-term success, it is important to have a declared purpose, shared responsibilities, and agreed upon procedures for managing the partnership. Cooperation agreements provide the written framework for managing and evaluating partnerships, and the Minnesota State Office of General Counsel (OGC) requires that all international partnership agreements conform to the System template and that an OGC attorney review proposed agreements before institutions execute an agreement.

The Office of the Dean of Global Education provides administrative oversight for the development of international partnership agreements. We are seeking new partnerships that are active, engage a wide range of campus stakeholders and that meet the strategic needs and goals of our university.

The following guidelines are intended to ensure the partnership development process conforms to all University requirements and includes consultation with appropriate University units and personnel.

Types of Partnership Agreements

The University and Minnstate System have established several types of partnership agreements including, but not limited to:

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). A very broad and general agreement; this agreement type is recommended as a first step in establishing a formal partnership between UM and an international institution.
• Student and/or Faculty/Staff Exchange Agreement. Establishes the structure for Minnesota State Mankato students to enroll full-time at a comparable international institution, whereby a reciprocal number of students from the international institution may enroll full-time at Minnesota State Mankato. If approved, this agreement allows students to register and pay tuition to Mankato while enrolling at the international institution for a semester or a full year. Student exchange agreements can also contain provisions on faculty and staff exchanges. An exchange agreement requires a site visit by a current employee prior to proposing a student exchange agreement.
• Collaborative Degree Agreements. Collaborative degree agreements establish a degree program that is designed and delivered by two or more partner institutions in different countries. Examples of these agreements include dual degrees and international student transfer programs. These types of agreements take careful planning and communication between parties and require approval by the university curriculum committees through the CDS process.

Procedures for developing a new Institutional Partnership

1. Any faculty or staff member can initiate and propose a university partnership. The proposer will need to possess working knowledge of the potential partner university. The proposer must agree to serve as the point of contact for questions regarding the proposed partnership.
2. As the first step, the Proposer will share and seek support for their idea within their Department/Unit, including Department Chair/Supervisor and Dean.
3. Proposer will complete an online proposal.
4. Dean of Global Education reviews the proposal and schedules a consultation meeting between the proposer, Dean, and relevant Global Education personnel and other campus stakeholders.
5. Dean of Global Education adds the proposed institutional partnership as an agenda item for discussion at Global Education Advisory Council. The relevant GEAC College Rep will present the proposal for consideration.
6. Dean of Global Education will secure approvals from Council of Deans and the Provost.
7. The Administrative Assistant for Global Education will work with Business Services to prepare the agreement draft to be signed by both parties.

With questions or comments, please contact brittany.mckibben.2@mnsu.edu.