University of New Caledonia MOU

Agreement for Academic Cooperation and Exchange Between University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, USA and Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, USA and Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie hereby enter into this general agreement to foster international cooperation in education and research.

Exchange and cooperative initiatives:

1. Both universities agree that this document creates the foundation on which a productive and positive long term relationship can be built. The following exchange activities are examples of possible shared programs that can take place through the partnership.

   • Exchange of faculty and scholars (professors, lecturers, or researchers).
   • Exchange of students (including undergraduate and graduate students).
   • Exchange of academic information and materials.
   • Exchange of periodical academic publications.
   • Organization of joint research programs.
   • Organization of joint conferences.
   • Other academic exchanges agreed to by both universities.

2. The establishment of each program, based on this agreement, will follow guidelines established by each university and shall be mutually acceptable to both institutions. As academic student exchanges are developed, as anticipated, a detailed Exchange Agreement will be developed between the two universities.

3. Both universities will work together to seek and identify public, private or institutional funds to support research and scholarly opportunities for students and faculty of both institutions.

4. Both universities will work cooperatively to find public or private funds to fully fund, over the long term, scholarships for undergraduate and graduate exchange students from both institutions.

5. Both universities will offer a wide selection of classes in English to fully accommodate exchange student’s academic requirements and needs.

6. Both universities will cooperate to create research opportunities to meet the academic, intellectual and creative needs by both institutions.

7. Nothing shall diminish the full autonomy of either institution nor will any constraints be imposed by either upon the other in carrying out the agreement.

Special Initiatives:

Both universities agree to work in cooperation to explore options and to work to create the following special initiatives.

1. Both universities will work to establish a research and teaching consortium that will include a selected group of universities serving Pacific Island nations that have community colleges.

2. Both universities will work to create and establish a 2+2+2 program for the universities represented in the consortium. Students could take two years, receiving an Associate’s degree at a Pacific Island nation community college or a University of Hawaiʻi System community college. They would then be eligible to apply for admission as a transfer student for two years to complete the graduation requirements for a baccalaureate degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo or Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie.

   These students would then be eligible to apply for admission to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo or Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. The opportunity would exist for students to begin or graduate at any level in the overall model.

3. The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo will initiate discussions with faculty to explore a possible new professional Master of Science degree in science and technology. This new degree, if created, will build on long standing university strengths in applied science and technology. This new degree offering would complement the graduate degree choices offered at Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie.

This agreement shall be in force for a period of five (5) years from the date of the last signing, and is subject to revision or modification by mutual agreement. It is also understood that this agreement may serve as the basis for specific agreements to be developed at a later date. It is further understood that either institution may terminate the agreement at any time, although such action will only be taken after mutual consultation in order to avoid any possible inconvenience to either party.

This agreement is effective when the representatives from each university have affixed their signatures to the agreement.

Dr. Rose Tseng, Chancellor
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Dr. Jean Marc Boyer, President
Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie

Signed September 2009