Draft for the Consortium Agreement for the International Master s Programme in Industrial Ecology

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1 Draft for the Consortium Agreement for the International Master s Programme in Industrial Ecology The following nine universities have jointly developed an "International Master s Master Programme in Industrial Ecology" (MIND+): University of Graz, represented by Prof. Dr. Christa Neuper, Rector Chalmers University of Technology, represented by Dr. Stefan Bengtsson, President Leiden University, represented by Dr. Carel Stolker, Rector Magnificus Delft University of Technology, represented by Prof. Dr. K.C.A.M.Luyben, Rector Magnificus Norwegian University of Science and Technology, represented by Dr. Berit Kjeldstad, Pro-Rector Waseda University, represented by Prof. Nobuhiro Kanomata, Associate Dean of International Affairs Division Asian Institute of Technology, represented by Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, President Rochester Institute of Technology, represented by Dr. Nabil Z. Nasr, Ass. Provost Curtin University Perth, represented by Professor Teri Balser, Dean They agree to the following: I Partners 1 The abovementioned institutions are referred to as the Cooperation Partners, or in short, the Partners. 2 The European Cooperation partners (University of Graz, Chalmers University of Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Leiden University and Delft University of Technology) are the Consortium Partners and together form the Consortium. 3 The associated partners from non-european Countries (Waseda University, Asian Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Curtin University Perth) are the Mobility Partners. II Legal prerequisites for double degree or diploma supplement 4 The setting up of a Double Degree Programme is based on the following legal prerequisites: at the University of Graz, Austria, on section 51 and 58, UG 2002 (Austrian Universities Act) and section 37, paragraph 3a, Legal Regulations on University Studies at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, Swedish Law on Authorization to Grant Degrees SFS 2009, p.695 1

2 at Leiden University, The Netherlands, on the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Research, art 7.13 at Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 4-1 and 4-2 of Forskrift om kvalitetssikring og kvalitetsutvikling i høyere utdanning og fagskoleutdanning at Delft University, The Netherlands, on the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Research, art III Objectives of the International Master s Master Programme in Industrial Ecology 5 General objective In the context of the creation of the European Higher Education and European Research Area, this agreement aims at facilitating the structured cooperation among the partners towards the creation of a Master program of enhanced quality in the field of industrial ecology and of international mobility organisation. The partners will work together to: improve their attractiveness both within the European Union and beyond its borders enhance the career prospects of students promote intercultural understanding through cooperation with Third Countries. 6 General commitment Towards this objective, the partners commit themselves to: share their experiences in the realisation of the Bologna process and the Europe 2020 agenda promote, pursuant to national law, the participation of teaching and research staff of the partner universities in courses, seminars or conferences they organise endeavour to raise funds to support activities organised in the framework of the present cooperation 7 Collaboration on a Master programme In particular the partners agree to simplify current procedures in order to enable the organisation, on the basis of existing curricula, of an integrated two-year study programme of high quality at the master level in industrial ecology. The programme shall satisfy the requirements of the Erasmus Mundus programme. The study programme will be called "International Master s Master Programme in Industrial Ecology" and will be referred to as the MIND+ programme. The MIND+ programme will be run in accordance with the programme description. IV Organisation 8 Coordination The coordinating institution of the Consortium is University of Graz. A program director will be operating in Graz. The program director is responsible for the quality and cohesion of the MIND+ programme contents. The program coordinator is responsible for managing and coordinating the overall organisation 2

3 of the MIND+ programme and to prepare all necessary reports. Partners commit themselves to provide all necessary information to the coordinator in time to ensure the good functioning of the MIND+ programme. Each Partner will appoint a local coordinator, who serves as a contact person for the programme coordinator, and who will be responsible for the organizational aspects at the local universities. 9 Decision making structure: the MIND+ Programme Board The Consortium appoints a Programme Board in charge of coordinating and supervising admission and examination procedures. The Programme Board is also responsible for establishing the internal and external quality assurance mechanisms, in addition to the local universities' quality assurance schemes. The Programme Board will consist of one representative per Cooperation partner, in the understanding that Leiden and Delft will provide one representative from their joint Master programme that means in total seven members. The Programme Board guards the compatibility of these procedures with those of the local university programmes. The Programme Director of the MIND+ programme is the Chair of the Programme Board and is responsible to convene the meetings of the Board. The Programme Board will convene at least once every year and will publish its minutes, to be made available to the EC. The Board members will receive administrative support from the secretariats of the institutes participating in the MIND+ programme. The tasks and responsibilities of the Board will be specified in its first meeting. 10 Administrative support Each partner appoints an administrative staff locally involved in the management of the project. These administrative staffs supports the local coordinator in helping students with incoming procedures such as obtaining visa, finding housing, providing insurance coverage and they ensure students access to language courses, libraries and canteens as well as to the services of the respective International Offices. In particular, partners commit themselves to reserve a sufficient number of study places and housing facilities for candidates enrolled in the MIND+ program. For each student, the hosting institutions will appoint a tutor whom the student may consult for advice or assistance during his/her stays at the institution. For each student, the Consortium will also appoint an academic advisor to ensure that the approved study programme is being followed and is adequate for the academic background of the student. 11 Finances The amount paid by the Coordinating institute to the Partner's institutions will be laid down in a Financial Agreement, which will be updated every year. The agreement will be based on the expected income from tuition fees and other possible sums generated by the Consortium s activities. 3

4 There will be two tuition fees: one for Programme Country students and one for Partner Country students. These fees will be paid by the students to the Consortium s Secretariat. The coordinator will send the partners a copy of the annual financial report concerning the distribution of the fees. Only the MIND+ Programme Board has the right to waive fees based on a fee waiving policy, in the understanding that this is in line with the partner s own regulations. This policy will be published on the Consortium s website. V Procedures 12 Quality assurance The MIND+ program will be subject to internal and external quality assurance, in addition to the local programme's own internal and external quality assurance schemes which will be applied to the local courses as well. The MIND+ Programme Board is responsible for the internal quality management, taking into account the feedback of MIND+ students. For the external quality assurance, the MIND+ Programme Board will establish an Evaluation Committee. It consists of four persons, namely two representatives from academia (who must not be teachers in the programme), one from industry, and one student. This Committee will evaluate individual courses and other parts of the study programme and will also evaluate the administrative and organizational aspects on their quality and efficiency. The results of the evaluations will be reported to the Programme Board and will be used by the Board to further develop and improve the programme. The Evaluation Committee will meet twice in the MIND+ period and it will base their conclusions on self-assessment reports compiled by the MIND+ Programme Board, on minutes of the Programme Board, on the students feedback and on their own findings. 13 Application, selection, admission and enrolment Common standards for admission into the MIND+ programme, a common application procedure and a joint student selection process will be organised. Joint application procedure: Students submit their applications to the coordinator. These must satisfy the requirements specified in the application form (see MIND+ website at Joint selection procedure: Admission into the MIND+ programme is the responsibility of the MIND+ Programme Board, who will appoint an Admission Committee of representatives of the Consortium Partners for that purpose. The Admission Committee decides on whether to admit and establishes the priority list for Erasmus Mundus Scholarships. For the selection, the Committee will follow the selection criteria as laid down by the consortium, included in the application form and published on its website. For each edition, main and reserve lists for students from Programme Countries and Partner Countries have to be elaborated. Like the Programme Board, the Admission Committee consists of seven members (cf. 9.). Mobility plan: 4

5 The Admission Committee decides on the admitted students' mobility plan, taking into account the student s previous curriculum, language proficiency and preferences. Enrolment: After admission to the MIND+ programme, the local coordinators will enrol students based on their mobility plans. 14 Student agreement The rights and obligations of students enrolled in the MIND+ programme will be laid down in a Student Agreement, to be signed by the Program Director and the individual students. VI Degree 15 The MIND+ Programme Board decides on the graduation of students from the program, based on the information of the Examination Committees of the local universities' programmes. 16 Students graduating from the MIND+ programme will obtain a Master of Science degree in Industrial Ecology. The following degrees are possible: Double degree between the University of Graz and Chalmers University of Technology Double degree between University of Graz and Leiden University/Delft University of Technology Double degree between Chalmers University of Technology and Leiden University/Delft University of Technology Double degree between Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Chalmers University of Technology Double degree between Norwegian University of Science and Technology and University of Graz Double degree between Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Leiden University/Delft University of Technology Any of the above with a diploma supplement of one of the non-european Partners, in case the student has followed part of his/her programme at one of the Mobility Partner universities. VII Others 17 Insurance Health insurance, sufficient for all Partner countries and including worldwide travel, will be arranged for students of the MIND+ programme by the coordinator. 18 Code of ethics A code of ethics for the program will be developed and posted at the MIND+ website. 19 Change of status and withdrawal from / termination of the contract Partners agree to offer the programme for at least three editions. The MIND+ programme will be evaluated after three years. Depending on that, a decision will 5

6 be made to continue with the program. A new Consortium Agreement will be prepared. Partner universities can request a change in their status. New partners have to be agreed on by all partner universities. Amendments to the Consortium Agreement must be by mutual consent. 20 Controversy resolution Any controversy arising from or in connection with this contract will be regulated as per the rules and regulations in force at the home university of the student involved. Potential disputes within the consortium should be resolved by the Programme Board. In case the Programme Board is not able to do so, the Programme Director has the right to commission a mediator for this task. 21 Network The MIND+ programme expects to provide a node of expertise in industrial ecology in an industrial and academic network, and to derive from this network the facilities to guarantee the continued existence of the MIND+ programme. The network will be developed by organising workshops and conferences, by attending specialised workshops and conferences organised by other parties and by providing internships for students. New Sections on IP rights and on our intention to sustain the cooperation after the EU financing has stopped 22 Starting date The International Master s Programme in Industrial Ecology will start in the academic year The Consortium Agreement will come into effect from the date of signing. +++ Signatures of the representatives of all universities +++ 6

REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADMISSION, STUDIES AND EXAMINATION AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOUTHEAST NORWAY

REGULATIONS RELATING TO ADMISSION, STUDIES AND EXAMINATION AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOUTHEAST NORWAY Authorisation: Passed by the Joint Board at the University College of Southeast Norway on 18 December