The Agreement on the Scheme of Hyogo University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (HUMAP)

 

The universities of Asia and the Pacific region, through their representatives, assembled at Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, on May 19, 2000,

Believing that the regional cooperation among universities can contribute substantially to deepening the mutual understanding of the cultural, economic and social system of the countries in the region;

Have agreed as follows:

 

1  Aim

   The aim of this Scheme is to increase the mobility of students and staff between the universities in the Hyogo region of Japan and the universities in the other countries of the Asia Pacific region (hereinafter referred to as "in the Asia Pacific region") and improve the quality of higher education.

 

2  Participating Universities

 (1) Participation in the Scheme is open to any university in the Hyogo region and the Asia Pacific region approving its aim and role.

 (2) The participating universities may enjoy all the conveniences and services offered by the International Secretariat to be set up in Hyogo Prefecture in accordance with this Agreement.

 (3) Registration as a participating university takes effect on the signing of its representative to this Agreement or the notification of the intention to participate to the International Secretariat after the coming-into-effect of the Agreement.

 

3  Credit Transfer (Student Exchange)

 (1) The under-and post-graduate student mobility in the Scheme will take place on the basis of the mutual recognition of credit transfer between the universities in the Hyogo region and the Asia Pacific region.

 (2) Any participating university in the Asia Pacific region may dispatch students to any participating universities in the Hyogo region on the individual consent of the latter, and vice versa.

 (3) Home and host universities should take proper account of the following matters:

  (a) Home Universities will:

   �@ select students to participate

   �A approve the study programs, including language courses / training, to be undertaken by participating students

   �B recognise, in principle, work completed overseas for credit towards awards at the home university

   �C determine the level of financial support to be given to participating students

   �D do their best to provide appropriate preparatory courses for their students prior to their departure

  (b) Host Universities will:

   �@ provide the agreed study programs for participating students

   �A do their best to provide appropriate counselling and other support services to participants

   �B ensure that appropriate health care arrangements are made for participating students

   �C ensure appropriate access by participating students to libraries, laboratories and similar facilities

   �D take action with the appropriate authorities  in the host country to facilitate the issue of visas and compliance with other entry requirements

   �E provide any necessary language training

 (4) Home and host universities should reach individual agreement on following matters:

 　�@ Whether host universities would be able to waive fees for students coming from overseas, on a unilateral or reciprocal basis,

   �A Whether central governments, local entities or private sectors will supply scholarships,

   �B Whether host universities can assist participating students to obtain accommodation at reasonable cost and

   �C Any other funding arrangements pertaining to the students' study and livelihood.

 

4  Exchange of Staff

  Exchange of staff participating in this Scheme will take place based on the individual or comprehensive mutual agreement concerning the treatments about their research and livelihood, in the same way as stipulated in paragraph (3) and (4) of the former article.

 

5  Executive Board

 (1) The Executive Board shall have full responsibility for overseeing the operations of the Scheme.

 (2) The Executive Board shall consist of 10 rectors chosen by mutual vote among participating universities in the Hyogo region of Japan and one rector / vice chancellor / president per country in the other parts of Asia and the Pacific chosen by mutual vote among participating universities of each country.

 (3) The Chairperson of the Executive Board shall be elected by mutual vote among the Executive Board members.

 (4) A meeting of the Executive Board shall be held every year.

 

6  International Secretariat

 (1) The International Secretariat is located in Hyogo Prefecture.

 (2) The International Secretariat will implement all matters pertaining to the operations and the development of the Scheme. The International Secretariat will:

  �@ ascertain the situation concerning all the exchanges undertaken within the framework of this Scheme and report it to the Executive Board

  �A mediate between home and host universities, when necessary, in their negotiations about the exchange of students and staff

  �B take necessary measures in accordance with the requests of the participating universities

  �C offer every possible assistance and advice concerning accommodation, scholarship, language training etc. to persons coming from overseas for the purpose to study and research at the participating universities in the Hyogo region

  �D maintain close contact with the International Secretariat of UMAP (University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific)

  �E collect information concerning university mobility in Asia and the Pacific and offer this to participating universities

  �F provide an information service about the contents of the education system of the participating universities upon their request

  �G undertake necessary activities for expanding the number of participating universities

 

7  This agreement shall become effected upon the date of signature and remain in force indefinitely unless two thirds of the original signing universities withdraw from this Scheme.

Each participant university reserves the right to withdraw from this Scheme by giving six months written notice to the International Secretariat on condition that such action would only be taken after consultations with the actual exchange counterpart university in order to avoid any possible inconveniences to the latter and the students involved.

 

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.

Done in the English and Japanese languages, both texts being equally authentic, on this 19th day of May, 2000.