Policy: International partnerships and agreements

Purpose

This policy outlines the governance framework for the development and management of partnerships and agreements of The Australian National University (ANU) with overseas institutions and organisations.

Overview

The University enters into partnerships and agreements with overseas institutions and organisations to enable participation in international collaborative activities for a variety of purposes. This includes strategic reasons, providing global opportunities for staff and students, and in supporting the University’s teaching, learning, and research activities.

This policy sets out the:

• principles and requirements for a partnership or agreement; and
• responsibilities and accountabilities of staff for establishment and management of partnerships and agreements with overseas institutions and organisations.

For the purpose of this policy, definitions as per the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements apply.

Scope

This policy applies to all ANU staff.

Policy statement

Principles

1. The University enters into partnerships and agreements with overseas institutions:

• where there is identified mutual interest and benefit;
• where there is a shared commitment to activity;
• where there is capacity to deliver agreed outcomes; and
• only after completing necessary risk evaluation and due diligence.

2. When establishing an international partnership or agreement, particular attention is paid to the University’s Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest and Commitment policies.
3. International partnerships and agreements entered into by The Australian National University:

• are compatible with the functions of the University, and consistent with University community standards, values and interests;
• are supported by a justifiable rationale and business case;
• align with, and advance, the University’s institutional mission and strategy;
• consider the University’s international profile and reputation;
• safeguard students’ interests;
• are consistent with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards);
• align with the Australian Qualifications Framework;
• Comply with relevant laws and policy including ANU rules, policies, procedures and guidelines.

4. As partnerships and agreements are with an overseas institution or organisation, consideration is given to the relevant laws and policies governing the conduct of that institution or organisation, as well as conduct requirements for the University in the relevant jurisdictions. Australian laws and standards apply to the University and may apply to the overseas institution or organisation.
5. Neither the existence of a partnership or agreement, nor any of its terms, require action that is illegal, discriminatory, limits freedom of inquiry, suppresses or falsifies academic research, or creates unacceptable conflicts of interest for the University.
6. All partnerships and agreements take full consideration and account of ethical, safety, security and political considerations. This includes reference to the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector.
7. The University does not enter into partnerships or agreements with overseas institutions or organisations in any country with which Australia does not engage in diplomatic relations or where such a partnership or agreement is prohibited by law (including by the Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Foreign Arrangements Scheme).

Partners, partnership scope, and corresponding activities

8. The parties to an international partnership or agreement are the University and:

• a single institution or organisation (a bi-lateral partnership); or
• more than one institution or organisation (a multi-lateral partnership); or
• a network of institutions or organisations (a multi-lateral partnership).

9. All external parties included as part of the partnership or agreement are subject to review and evaluation as per the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements.
10. The partnership or agreement defines the scope for the University’s engagement with the external parties at one of these levels:

• University-level;
• Unit-level;
• college-level
• school / centre / institute-level

as reflected in the Policy: Academic Colleges, Schools and Departments that sets out the standards that define the academic structures of ANU.

11. The involvement of additional parties and other interested stakeholders who are not the external parties to a partnership or agreement (such as education agents, government agencies or parties contracted by external parties) are identified, evaluated and authorised, and comply with the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements.
12. The external parties involved, scope and type of activity expected in the partnership or agreement is in accordance with University policies and procedures, and approval under the delegations framework.
13. Requirements for specific types of activities, partnerships and agreements are outlined in the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements, including the types of international collaborative activity that are formalised through appropriate partnerships and agreements.
14. The creation, amendment and disestablishment of Award programs with overseas institutions and organisations are subject to standard academic governance processes that are undertaken prior to signing the final agreement. No international partnership or agreement relating to a University Award may override a decision of the Academic Board or College Education committees to approve, amend, disestablish, or review academic programs and courses, and to set admissions standards.

Execution and amendment of partnerships and agreements

15. The authority to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) and other partnerships or agreements is subject to the delegations framework, and as described in the Policy: Delegations of authority and Procedure: Delegations of authority.
16. All partnerships and agreements (including non-legally binding) are subject to review by the University Legal Office before execution.
17. In cases involving coursework Award programs, including admission pathway and articulations agreements, the endorsement of the University Academic Quality Assurance Committee (AQAC) and the approval of Academic Board (AB) (per the AQAC and AB charters) are required, prior to seeking the final approval and signing of the responsible delegate.
18. All partnerships and agreements in a language other than English are translated or certified by an ANU-commissioned, NAATI certified translator before approval and signing.
19. Subject to the terms of the individual partnership or agreement, partnerships and agreements are modified or revised in accordance with the partnership or agreement and the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements.

Monitoring, review, renewal and termination of partnerships and agreements

20. All partnerships and agreements are reviewed according to the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements.
21. If, upon review, a partnership or agreement is no longer producing the agreed outcomes or no longer adheres to the principles of this policy, that partnership or agreement can be terminated in accordance with the terms of the partnership or agreement or allowed to expire.
22. If, upon review, a partnership or agreement is producing the agreed outcomes and remains in line with the principles of this policy, and provides for renewal or extension, that partnership or agreement can be renewed or extended with the agreement of the external party and as per the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements.
23. Renewals, non-renewals, extensions and terminations of partnerships and agreements follow the notification and approval process outlined in the relevant partnership or agreement and the Procedure: International partnerships and agreements.