CONSORTIUM AGREEMENT FOR THE ERASMUS MUNDUS MASTERS COURSE 135410-1-2008-1-ES-ERASMUSMUNDUS-EM1 International Master in Materials and Sensors Systems for Environmental Technologies Specific Agreement for Action 1 and Action 2 The parties: Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, (hereinafter UPV), responsible unit: Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería del Diseño, hereinafter referred to as the Consortium Coordinator, and Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, (hereinafter KTH), responsible unit: KTH School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, Università di Bologna, (hereinafter UB), represented by its Rector, name hereinafter referred to as the Contractors, together form the IMMSSET Consortium and parties to this Agreement. 1. Purpose of the Agreement The purpose of the Agreement is to agree on the implementation and management of the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course 135410-1-2008-1-ES-ERASMUSMUNDUS-EM1 governed by the Framework Agreement (NUMBER 2008-0086/001 FRAME MUNB123, date 8-1-2008) and the Specific Agreement (still to be signed) between the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) and the Consortium Coordinator of the IMMSSET Consortium. This Agreement shall specify the respective rights and obligations of the parties with regard to the running of the joint programme IMMSSET - International Master in Materials and Sensors Systems for Environmental Technologies. All parties are subject to the rules and regulations set up by the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) in the agreements mentioned above regarding both the responsibilities towards the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) and towards other parties to this Agreement. 2. Validity and amendments This Agreement shall come into force on the day when it has been signed by each of the parties but shall have retroactive effect from the date of decision of acceptance from the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). 1
This Agreement is valid only when it harmonises with the meaning of the Framework Agreement and the Specific Agreement referred to in Article 1 above. The validity of this Agreement expires when the support from the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) is withdrawn. This Agreement shall be reviewed each academic year. Amendments to this Agreement shall be made only by supplementary agreements signed on behalf of each of the parties by legal representatives. 3. Obligations of the Consortium Coordinator and of the University Coordinating the Consortium The Consortium Coordinator manages the administrative, legal and financial matters of the IMMSSET Consortium and the IMMSSET Masters Course towards the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). The Consortium Coordinator is responsible for all contacts with the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). The Consortium Coordinator shall report to the IMMSSET Consortium in such a way that these have full understanding of the administrative, legal and financial matters. The Consortium Coordinator shall undertake: - To take all the steps necessary to prepare for, perform and correctly manage the programme set out in this contract and its annexes, in accordance with the objectives of the project as set out by the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). - To send the Contractors copies of the Agreements signed with the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) together with annexes and any other official document concerning the project. - To notify and provide the Contractors with any amendments made to this Agreement. UPV is the University Coordinating the Consortium. It shall undertake: - To comply with all the provisions binding the Consortium Coordinator to the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). - To nominate the Programme Director and the Administrative Coordinator of the Programme. - To nominate at least one representative to the Consortium Committee. 4. Obligations of the Contractors The Contractors are subject to the rules and regulations set up in the Framework Agreement NUMBER 2008-0086/001 FRAME MUNB123, date 8-1-2008 (Annex 1), and in the Specific Agreement as well as to the writings in the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course Application 135410-1-2008-1-ES-ERASMUSMUNDUS-EM1. The Contractors shall undertake: - To take all the steps necessary to prepare for, perform and correctly manage the programme set out in this contract and its annexes, in accordance with the objectives of 2
the project as set out in the Agreements concluded between the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) and the LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE of the Consortium Coordinator of the IMMSSET Consortium. - To comply with all the provisions of Agreements binding the Consortium Coordinator to the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). - To communicate to the Consortium Coordinator any information or document required by the latter that is necessary for the management of the project. - To accept responsibility for all information communicated to the Consortium Coordinator, including details of costs claimed and, where appropriate, expenses difficult to justify. - To nominate at least one representative to the Consortium Committee. The Contractors also undertake: - To promptly notify any delay in performance or any event that may impact the joint master programme to the IMMSSET Consortium Committee. - To inform the IMMSSET Consortium Committee of relevant information received from third parties as regards the joint master course. - To act at all times in good faith and in a manner that reflects the good name, goodwill and reputation of the other Contractors and in accordance with scientific and academic ethics. - To participate in a cooperative manner at the meetings of the different bodies under this Consortium Agreement. 5. The IMMSSET Consortium Structure 5.1 The IMMSSET Consortium Committee Appointed representatives from each of the parties to this Agreement form the IMMSSET Consortium Committee. The IMMSSET Consortium Committee shall support the Consortium Coordinator in managing the programme. The Consortium Committee shall meet at least twice a year. In addition, at least one selection meeting is organised annually by the Consortium Coordinator in February. The IMMSSET Consortium Committee shall undertake: - To annually decide on the registration fees of the programme in accordance with the current legislation in each of the countries of the Contractors. - To review and amend the scholarship conditions, if necessary. - To annually decide on the distribution of the fees among the parties. - To ensure quality assurance of the programme. - To agree on the adaptation and update of the joint curriculum to recent developments. - To define common standards for admission, a common application procedure and to organise a joint student and scholar selection process. Concerning the selection of the students and scholars the Consortium Committee shall: - Review admission criteria annually and make necessary changes. - Define student quota for the programme. - Agree on the selection procedure and methods. 3
- Agree on the allocation of evaluation tasks between partners. - Select the students and establish the proposed list of scholarships holders to be sent to the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). - Decide on the student study tracks. - Select the scholars to be invited and establish the proposed list of scholars to be sent to the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). 6. IMMSSET International Master in Materials and Sensors Systems for Environmental Technologies 6.1 Degree awarding Institutions and Degree The IMMSSET International Master in Materials and Sensors Systems for Environmental Technologies is a joint master programme offered by the IMMSSET Consortium. All parties to this agreement are degree awarding institutions. The UPV, in accordance with the current legislation, will issue a single degree with a specific reference to the Universities participating in the master. Contractor Universities may award their own degree. The IMMSSET is a 120 ECTS programme. It lasts two years. Institution Title of Degree Awarded UPV KTH UB Máster Oficial en Materiales y Sistemas Sensores para Tecnologías Medioambientales Degree of Master of Science (2 years) Laurea Magistrale in Materials and Sensors Systems for Environmental Technologies The degrees are recognised by all parties, which has also been stipulated in the Consortium application submitted to the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) for support to the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course. 6.2 Use of ECTS and grading of studies UPV uses the Spanish university credit system where 1 Spanish University credit equals 10 face-to-face teaching hours. The grading scale used at UPV is 0-10 and A-F. Transcripts of records display both grading systems. KTH uses the Swedish university credit system where 1 Swedish university credit equals 1 ECTS credit. The grading scale at KTH is A-F. UB uses the Italian university credit system where 1 Italian university credit equals to 1 ECTS credit. The grading scale at UB is A-F. 6.3 Degree certificates + diploma supplements Each party will issue a degree certificate forming part of a double degree. In addition to the degree certificate each party will issue a diploma supplement. 4
6.4 Joint supervision of thesis The topic of the thesis must be agreed jointly by home and host university professors. The thesis will be supervised and evaluated by the home university and the host university according to local procedures and regulations of the respective institutions. 7. Didactics 7.1 Study programme Universities formulate and approve through their respective academic bodies all active study programmes, which are organised into semesters, modules and ECTS credits. Study programmes shall cover the whole study period, including final examinations. Study programmes may comprise specific teaching, according to the multinational nature of the programme. Study programmes may also include a work placement within a private and/or public company in third countries. 7.2 Changes to the approved study programme The joint study programme shall be attached to this agreement. It can be modified by mutual consent between the parties and the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA), without detriment to students already enrolled. 8. Registration fees and other financial matters Fee amounts will be agreed upon by the Contractors and approved by their academic bodies. The UPV, as Coordinator of the Consortium, will allot the fees amongst partner Universities and will manage them according to the criteria agreed upon by the Contractors as described in the attached financial annex (Annex 2) respecting the agreements signed by the legal representative of the University Coordinating the Consortium and the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). 9. Quality assurance in the IMMSSET programme Quality assurance will be based on both internal and external assessment measures. External quality assurance will be guaranteed by arranging periodic global evaluations, under the responsibility of the Consortium Committee. This evaluation will take place every third year of the programme and the Consortium Committee will ascertain the involvement of extra members not regularly part of the Consortium Committee. Internal quality mechanisms: each single course is evaluated after examination in the form of questionnaires to be filled out. One joint evaluation form for courses and the programme will be developed. Feedback seminars will be held at the end of each semester with the participation of students, teachers and administration. 10. Marketing of the programme The general marketing policy will be discussed and approved by the Consortium Committee at their meetings. The Coordinator will organise the common marketing efforts (marketing 5
letters through mail and internet). The partners will disseminate information for applicants through their own marketing channels. All parties are responsible for creating local programme websites for the distribution of information. 11. Student matters According to the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course regulations set up by the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA), the IMMSSET Consortium selects and admits students to the programme. Students involved in the mobility programme shall enjoy the benefits and shall be likewise subject to the regulations and norms which are in force in the Universities/Institutions concerned by the programme. Students enrolled according to the modalities described in Art. 11.2 shall attend the whole first year in one of the partner Universities (home University); during the second year, they must get at least 30 credits (CFU / ECTS) in another partner University (host University). The Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería del Diseño is the Consortium Coordinator and the UPV is the University Coordinating the Consortium. All partner Universities will be teaching centres. Students, according to the Erasmus Mundus Masters Course regulations set up by the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA), will be selected and admitted to the programme by the Consortium. Students will register at UPV, where they will pay their tuition fees; then, they will be equitably distributed amongst partner Universities. 11.1 Student-Consortium Agreement /SCA/ The Consortium Coordinator will receive all scholarships awarded by the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). The Consortium Coordinator will distribute the scholarships to the scholarship holders without delay. The IMMSSET Consortium will use a specific student agreement for the students eligible under the FRAMEWORK PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT, which has to be signed by the students applying for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship to facilitate the administrative and financial relations between the Consortium and the student. The programme fees will be deducted directly from the Erasmus Mundus scholarship with prior consent from the student. The student will sign the Erasmus Mundus scholarship conditions prior to receiving any payment. The Erasmus Mundus scholarship payments will be transferred to a bank account only. 11.2 Admission and registration of students All selected students will be sent an official letter of admission from both the home and host universities. The Contractors are responsible to provide the Consortium Coordinator with the official letters of admission by the end of March at the latest and the Consortium Coordinator will distribute the letters of admission from both home and host universities to the admitted students. In the letter of admission Confirmation of IMMSSET study place the Consortium Coordinator will indicate where the students will study during the programme based on the selection decision (study track for the student). The student must confirm participation in the programme by returning the IMMSSET study place confirmation form within 2 weeks after 6
receiving notice of the scholarship decision from the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA). All selected students enrol at both the home and host universities awarding the degree. They must also register for the specific courses they will take each semester at the universities. For each student, the host university will appoint a tutor, whom the student may consult for advice or assistance during his/her stay at the institution. The members of the Consortium engage themselves in helping students with incoming procedures such as finding accommodation and ensuring that students have access to language courses, libraries and to the services offered by the respective International Offices. The Contractors are responsible to provide updated lists of enrolled students to the Consortium Coordinator as soon as the registration of students is finalised for each academic year. In case the student is no longer able to follow the agreed study track in the specified time or a total drop-out situation occurs, the Contractors are responsible to notify the Consortium Coordinator immediately. The University Coordinating the Consortium shall process all requests for modification of study tracks. 11.3 Students rights and responsibilities The students rights and responsibilities are the same as those valid for any other student at the institution where the student is studying at the specific moment. The student must comply with the requirements of the institution in question as regards documentation for registration procedures and documentation for visa purposes. 11.4 Alumni Association The IMMSSET Alumni association is the responsibility of the students. Information about the IMMSSET Alumni Association will be published on the IMMSSET website. 11.5 Accommodation Students must submit the application form for accommodation to the institution in question by the deadline set by the institution. 11.6 Services offered Students participating in the mobility programme shall benefit from all services offered by the host University to its regularly enrolled students. 7
12. Reports a. The Contractors shall provide the Consortium Coordinator with any information and documents required for the preparation of the progress report for Actions 1 and 2 and, where appropriate, with copies of all the necessary supporting documents completed and signed by the legal representative each year by February 15 th at the latest. b. The Contractors shall contribute to the preparation of the final report for Actions 1 and 2 by the date communicated to the Contractors by the Consortium Coordinator. 13. Settlement of disputes If disputes or differences arise in connection with this Agreement, and if an amicable settlement cannot be reached amicably within the Consortium Committee, each party shall appoint a member to the Arbitration Committee. The members of this Arbitration Committee shall appoint an independent chair person. The decisions of the Arbitration Committee are binding. 14. Copies and language This Agreement has been written and signed in three original copies in English and each is equally valid. English will be the working language between the parties. 15. Liability Each Party shall be independently responsible for the performance of any part of its tasks under this Agreement. 16. Insurance obligation All insurance obligations are to be borne by the students themselves. 17. Prevention and safety The Parties shall supply each mobility programme participant with detailed information about the specific risks existing in the work environment in which they will be carrying out their functions. The parties will also provide the necessary documentation concerning prevention and emergency safety measures in conformity with the legislative norms and regulations in force in the country of the host University. 18. Other activities The Parties can extend the cooperation agreement for other purposes beyond the student exchange. Further cooperation projects, including intensive courses, distance learning, joint research, organisation of seminars, symposia, and meetings on common interest topics and all other activities aimed at consolidating the cooperation will be encouraged by all parties. These projects shall be agreed by the interested parties and incorporated in addenda to this Agreement. 8
19. Exchange of teaching and administrative staff The exchange possibilities will be regulated by specific agreements. 19.1. Exchange modalities The Universities shall regulate the reception and employment of teaching and administrative staff participating in the mobility programme under this Agreement in conformity with the legislation and regulations in force in the country concerned. Staff who fall under this Agreement will continue to comply with the contractual obligations to their home University and will continue to receive the remuneration and to benefit from the rights they are entitled to according to the legislation and regulations in force in their home country, without any legal or administrative relationship being established with the host university. In any case, the home University shall consider the duration of the stay as an ordinary service period for all purposes. The Contractors agree that all financial issues will have to be negotiated and will depend on the availability of funds allocated to this project by Community programmes or by potential public or private institutions. 19.2 Activities for teaching and administrative staff The Consortium Committee undertakes to organise joint activities for the teaching staff from all three partner Universities. The Consortium Committee undertakes to organise joint activities for the administrative staff from all three partner Universities. 19.3. Insurance obligation The Parties state that their employees (teaching and administrative staff) are insured against any damage that they may suffer during their stay abroad in relation to the activities concerned by this Agreement and that they are insured against legal liability for accidental bodily injury to third parties or to their properties. Authorised to sign on behalf of Universidad Politécnica de Valencia Rector Date Authorised to sign on behalf of Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan Rector Date Authorised to sign on behalf of Università di Bologna Rector Date 9
ANNEX 1. Framework Agreement Number 2008-0086/001 Frame MUNB123, date 8-1- 2008. Specific Agreements signed after this Agreement with the EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) will be incorporated. FINANCIAL AGREEMENTS The Consortium Committee to this Agreement shall agree upon the allocation of the Programme fee funds each year. All costs have to be approved by the Consortium Committee prior to their compensation from the Programme fee funds. Supporting documents evidencing expenditures incurred by the contractors for the purpose of the Programme must be kept in original and will be sent to the Consortium Coordinator upon request for audits. The Consortium Coordinator shall verify the documents related to costs prior to their compensation from the Programme fee funds. For the avoidance of doubt, it is expressly stated that the total compensation to the Contractors to the present Agreement is limited in all cases to the total amount of the Programme fee funds. All invoices to the Consortium Coordinator must be dated and certified as true and exact by the Financial Officer of the Contractor. AGREEMENT 1 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING ACADEMIC FEES AGREEMENT 2 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) FOR ACTION 1 AGREEMENT 3 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) FOR ACTION 2 AGREEMENT 4 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) FOR ACTION 3 10
AGREEMENT 1. FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING ACADEMIC FEES The IMMSSET Consortium Committee has decided to set the current registration fee for third country students to 5.500 for the academic year 2008-2009. For students from the UE the registration fee will be 3.500. Those fees cover all the academic, management, marketing and university coordination expenses. With regard to third country students, those fees cover special management expenses such as visa arrangements and the incorporation of the student into the host university. Registration fees will be paid to the Consortium Coordinator, irrespective of the study destination. The Consortium Coordinator will distribute 40 per credit per student among Partner Universities and 1.000 more per each third country student registered. Each Home University undertakes to issue the Academic Certificate of the 25 students that begin their studies there. Each Host University will issue the second Certificate without extra expense for the student, and those expenses will be assumed by the managing body of the master course. 11
AGREEMENT 2 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) FOR ACTION 1 The EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) will pay 15,000 to the UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE VALENCIA as Consortium Coordinator. The IMMSSET Consortium Committee has decided to allot: 2.000 to KTH 2.000 to UB 2.000 to UPV 9.000 to UPV to organise three annual meetings of the Consortium Committee that will take place in the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería del Diseño, in Valencia. (with a limit of 3.000 per University for travel expenses). 12
AGREEMENT 3 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) FOR ACTION 2 The EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) will pay to UPV, as Consortium Coordinator, 42.000 per student in the academic year 2008-2009 for the total duration of the Master (21.000 per year). The UPV, as Consortium Coordinator, will carry out the financial actions that are specifically stated in articles 3 and 4 of the SPECIFIC AGREEMENT FOR ERASMUS MUNDUS MASTER COURSES (ACTION 1) AND SCHOLARSHIPS (ACTION 2), ANNEX II TO THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT. (To be signed. Expected date: July/August 2008) 13
AGREEMENT 4 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ANNUAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ALLOCATED BY THE EDUCATION, AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY (EACEA) FOR ACTION 3 14