• Section 1 - Purpose
• Background
• Scope
• Section 2 - Policy
• Levels of Engagement
• Agreements
• Administration
• Review and Approval
• Compliance and Breaches
• Section 3 - Procedures
• Section 4 - Guidelines
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy provides the strategic framework to establish and manage agreements for collaboration with international institutions and organisations.

Background

(2) The University develops and enhances opportunities for engagement with international institutions and organisations in order to achieve its strategic goals. The University’s Learning and Teaching Strategic Framework, and Research Strategy and Framework seek to enhance and ensure the quality of educational activities and strategic partnerships.

(3) Academic co-operation and collaboration is a fundamental foundation of teaching and research excellence. The creation and development of mutually enriching strategic alliances supports the University’s objective of being internationally recognised for teaching and research excellence.

(4) In order to achieve strategic goals relating to learning, teaching and community engagement, the University will actively seek alliances with key institutions abroad which can contribute to supporting identified goals and objectives. In this pursuit the University limits formal international collaborations to affiliations which are consistent with or which enhance the University’s reputation.

(5) In order to achieve this objective, the University will develop and maintain international partnerships to facilitate activities which include, but are not limited to:

1. Academic Cooperation;
2. Articulation / Pathways;
3. Dual Degrees;
4. Joint Degrees;
5. Research collaboration;
6. Staff Exchange;
7. Student Exchange;
8. Study Abroad; and
9. Transnational Education.

(6) The majority of partners will be education institutions, but partners may also be government departments, not-for-profit organisations and private corporations. It is intended that the University will focus on developing relationships with high-quality institutions which are consistent with or will enhance the University’s reputation. Collaborative relationships with partner institutions will be grounded in prudent financial and administrative management, thorough risk analysis and due diligence in decision making.

(7) This Policy will ensure alliances with approved international partners are formalised in agreements and that decisions are made in accordance with University’s strategic direction, Delegations of Authority and with awareness of domestic and international regulatory and legislative requirements.

Scope

(8) This Policy relates to collaborative arrangements at the Faculty / Department or Institutional (University) level which are implemented through an agreement.

(9) This Policy applies to all employees and academic and administrative units within the University and its Controlled Entities.

Section 2 - Policy

Levels of Engagement

(10) There will be two levels of engagement:

1. Faculty / Department; and
2. Institutional.

Agreements

(11) A Faculty / Department-level or Institutional-level arrangement will be regulated through an agreement.

(12) Agreements may be bilateral or multilateral.

(13) Agreements will be:

1. based on diligent financial and administrative management practices;
2. subject to appropriate quality assurance and risk management requirements; and
3. supported by a sound business case.

Administration

(14) Agreements which have a research focus or are research-specific will be administered through Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Services).

(15) Agreements which have a non-research focus will be administered by Macquarie International.

Review and Approval

(16) The General Counsel is required to review all agreements.

(17) The Executive Dean is required to approve proposals for international agreements and make a recommendation to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International).

(18) The Academic Senate is required to approve academic proposals for international agreements.

(19) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) is required to approve and sign all proposals for international agreements.

(20) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) is required to sign all international agreements.

Compliance and Breaches

(21) The University may commence applicable disciplinary procedures if a person to whom this Policy applies breaches this Policy (or any of its related procedures).

Section 3 - Procedures

(22) Refer to the International Agreements Procedure.

Section 4 - Guidelines

(23) Nil.

Section 5 - Definitions

(24) The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy:

1. Agreement means a legally-binding contract.
2. Faculty / Departmental Engagement means where a Faculty, Department or administrative unit commits to obligations specified by an agreement. The level of risk exposure is at the Faculty, Departmental or administrative unit level.
   
   Examples of Faculty / Departmental level engagements include collaborative research and / or teaching at the Faculty level, and Internships, Practicum Placements.
3. Institutional Engagement means where the University commits to an institution-wide obligation and is exposed to substantial risk. For this reason, an agreement is required to provide the details of the activity, responsibilities and obligations.
4. Examples of Institutional-level engagements include:
   1. Transnational Education - with either offshore or onshore partner institutions which may include the marketing, recruitment, enrolment and delivery and assessment of courses of study in an offshore location, where delivery includes a face-to-face component regardless of whether or not the education and / or training leads to a MQ award.
   2. Dual Degrees - the completion and awarding of two degrees at two separate institutions which includes credit for previous studies arrangements. 
   3. Joint Degrees - the completion of two single degrees at two institutions awarded at the completion of the combined study period and involving one testamur representing both institutions.
   4. Student Exchange - a bilateral agreement for the benefit of students and staff which involves credit transfer arrangements on a non-award basis. The principle of balanced reciprocity underpins Student Exchange agreements.
   5. Study Abroad - an agreement to facilitate a student’s participation in a non-award fee-paying short-term, session or year-long placement at the University. Study Abroad agreements articulate credit transfer arrangements.
   6. Articulation Pathways - which facilitate the progression of students from a partner institution to the University. Articulation involves the recognition of a completed award of a partner institution through the transfer of specified credit to a program or course offered by the University.