Process for Establishing an International Agreement
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ODU international agreement sponsor(s) complete an ODU International Agreement Proposal Form, which collects relevant data about the proposed agreement including information on the partner institution, the scope of proposed activities, and the benefits of the linkage to the University.
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ODU international agreement sponsor(s) secure approval of relevant University stakeholders for the proposed linkage. Such approval will typically include obtaining the signatures of the relevant Chair(s) and Dean(s).
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Once completed, the proposal should be submitted by email to the Center for Global Engagement for review.
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CGE will then contact the proposal sponsor(s) to discuss the potential linkage.
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If in agreement, CGE will then prepare a draft agreement for review by the agreement sponsor(s).
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The draft agreement will be shared with the international partner for its review and comment. Any proposed amendments will be considered, with appropriate input from the Office of University Counsel.
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Once ODU has reached consensus with the potential partner on the language of the agreement, it is ready to be signed. Old Dominion University signatory(ies) will be determined by the particular type of agreement proposed. Additional ODU signatories (such as a College Dean) can be included, if desired.
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CGE will typically prepare final clean, original versions of the agreement, and deliver them to the University's principal signatory(ies) for execution.
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After signature by ODU, CGE will typically share two (2) original signed versions of the agreement with the international partner for countersignature, and ask that the partner keep one (1) fully-signed original for their records, and return one (1) fully-signed original to ODU.
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Once fully executed, CGE updates the International Agreement Database and scans a copy of the agreement for their records.
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Units can track agreement status by emailing cge@odu.edu or contact CGE directly for status updates.
Types of Agreements
Since its founding Old Dominion University has developed agreements to facilitate active engagement with partner institutions around the world. Active ODU international agreements include the following types:
Agreement that establishes a general form of academic collaboration with an international partner (e.g. university, research institute, center, or laboratory, NGO, etc.) in areas of mutual interest. MOUs - which are also referred to as "umbrella agreements" - are the initial step in establishing a partnership with international institutions. Establishment of agreements delineating specific forms of academic collaboration between international partners occurs after a MOU has been put in place.
Agreement established for the purpose of students studying, conducting research, or participating in other forms of academic collaboration with an international partner.
Agreement established for the purpose of faculty teaching, studying, conducting research, or other forms of academic collaboration with an international partner.
Agreement that allows international partner students to transfer credits earned at their home university towards an ODU academic degree. This form of agreement includes "credit matching" for particular area(s) of curricular study and degree program(s) at ODU and the home university. At times, these agreements are referred to as "2+2", "3+1", or "3+2" agreements in reference to the year(s) of academic credits that may be accepted for transfer. They are also referred to as "degree completion program" agreements.
The agreement that allows international partner students to combine online and on-campus study for an ODU academic certificate and/or degree.
The agreement allows students to earn an ODU degree and a degree offered by the international partner. Each institution recognizes academic credit earned in the other degree plans, thus shortening the duration of overall study for participating students. At completion, students are eligible for awarding of academic degrees issued separately by each institution. Students must apply and be accepted for study by each institution separately. Dual degrees are also referred to as double degrees. Dual degrees are not joint degrees.