Intenational partnership and collaborations

UQAT International acts as a liaison with the academic community and existing or potential partners in order to establish and develop international collaborations. The objective is to assist and advise the institution, and the management and renewal of international agreements in order to adequately meet the objectives of the University, its schools, institutes and teaching and research units.

How to know if an agreement is required?

Certain international activities do not require a formal agreement, for example, certain research collaborations. Researchers can work together without having concluded an agreement. In cases where a formal agreement is not required, a confidentiality agreement between the parties is strongly suggested.

However, all collaborations, whether research or otherwise, involving human or financial resources, teaching standards or credited activities, must be subject to a formal agreement.

The following are the different types of formal agreements that can be concluded and their specificities:

Framework collaboration agreement

A general agreement that shows a commitment and intentions of institutional importance;
Must involve an active partnership in which collaborative activities actually take place;
Duration of 3 to 5 years, may be renewed;
May be related to "specific agreements" or "cotutelle agreements" in separate documents in cases where financial, material or intellectual resources are committed;
This type of agreement is not necessary and not a prerequisite for specific agreements, cotutelle agreements or others.

Research agreement (including research activities of professors, internship or research residency for students)

Professors involved in the research projects are asked to take part in the agreement;
Students collaborating in the research project may be required to sign an agreement on intellectual property and confidentiality of research projects;
Aims to formalize research relationships in a specific field;
Defines the terms of collaboration (sharing of research results, exchange of trainees or researchers, material and financial resources);
This type of agreement imposes legal obligations to the parties;
Must include specific clauses on confidentiality and intellectual property between the parties;
This is an agreement signed by the Vice-President, Teaching, Research and Creation, and the Secretary General.

Confidentiality agreement

Aims to provide a framework for the exchange and safekeeping of important information in a confidential manner in the performance of certain functions;
Aims to formalize research agreements by including specific clauses on intellectual property (to whom it applies, the object of the protection and the duration and geographical scope of the agreement).

Student exchange agreement (bilateral or not, BCI or Exchange Canada)

Aims to formalize student exchange agreements;
Defines the terms and conditions of collaboration (maximum number of students per institution, parity, cohort, duration, fixed student hosting period, number of credits, etc.);
Defines financial terms and conditions, where applicable.

Agreement for a joint or double degree program

Aims to formalize agreements on joint or double degree programs;
Defines the terms and conditions of collaboration (maximum number of students per institution, parity, cohort, duration, fixed period for hosting students, number of credits, etc.);
Defines financial terms and conditions.

International cooperation agreement

Through international funding agencies, it is possible to collaborate with universities and various actors in developing countries. These cooperative activities provide opportunities for knowledge transfer and resource sharing for the success of joint projects in several areas: education, public health, sustainable development, climate change and social justice, among others.

Cotutelle agreement

Aims to formalize agreements between the research supervisors of each institution regarding the doctoral student's program of study (tuition, courses and seminars, summative exam) and periods of residence at each institution;
Defines the pedagogical requirements with regard to the study programs regulations of both institutions;
Defines the financial terms and conditions.
In the case of a joint or extension program, the partner university in Quebec may also have to approve the student-specific agreement and have it signed by the Vice-President, Teaching, Research and Creation;

Specific agreement concerning the student involved in the cotutelle

Amendment to an existing agreement

Improves an existing agreement by adding or modifying certain clauses relating to specific activities.

According to UQAT policies, agreements must be signed by the Vice-President, Teaching, Research and Creation, and the Secretary General.