Governance and Administration

Constitution and principles

The mission of the International Network of Universities (INU) is commitment to internationalization of INU members through student and staff mobility, research
collaboration, undergraduate collaboration and co-operation in university management. It allows the member universities to provide a richer array of educational and research opportunities than any one university acting alone.

1. Membership
1.1 Universities participate in the INU either as Full Members or Associate Members. However, associate membership will only be valid for a maximum of three years.

1.2 Full Members participate in all INU program activities and have full voting rights at INU Council and INU Executive meetings. Associate Members can participate in most INU program activities and attend INU Council meetings but do not have voting rights.

1.3 Full Members pay a full subscription annually as determined by the INU Council. Associate Members pay a nominal subscription annually as determined by the INU Council.

1.4 In admitting new members the nomination process and eligibility criteria to be followed are detailed in "Criteria and Procedures for admission of new members".

2. Governance
2.1 The governing body of the INU is the INU Council. The Council meets annually. Each Full Member has one vote at Council meetings.

2.2 The INU Council has responsibility for determining the strategic direction and policies and programs of the INU. The Council approves the annual INU Work Plan and budget.

2.3 The Council is chaired by a Vice-Chancellor, Rector or President of a Full Member as elected by all Full Members. The position of Chair has the title INU President. The position of Chair is to be held for a period of three years with re-election possible.

2.4 The Council has two Vice Presidents who are drawn from Full Members and who are elected by all Full Members. Each serves for a period of three years with the possibility of re-election.

2.5 An Executive directs INU policies and activities between Council meetings. The Executive meets at about the mid-point between Council meetings and, if needed, in conjunction with Council meetings. The Executive is chaired by the INU President and has as members the two Vice-Presidents and two other Full Members elected by all Full Members. Where possible a geographic spread should be maintained within the membership of the Executive.

3. Administration
3.1 The INU Secretariat is responsible for supporting meetings of the INU Council and the INU Executive, collection of subscriptions, maintenance of INU financial accounts and information dissemination between INU members (including maintenance of the INU website).

3.2 The INU has a Project Officer who reports to the INU President. The Project Officer is responsible for implementing the INU Work Plan and reporting on outcomes to the INU Council and INU Executive.

4. Programs and activities
INU programs and activities are detailed in an annual work plan. Programs include student and staff mobility, cooperation in learning and teaching and research and benchmarking.

5. Principles of Student Mobility
5.1 Credit transfer is to be granted subject to satisfactory completion of the course. INU members are to use a standard approach to credit transfer using the INU Credit Transfer Scheme which is based on the European Credit Transfer Scheme and the UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme.

5.2 Students are to be adequately supported by receiving institutions both in terms of agreed academic programs and general welfare support. Liability for the failure to abide by this principle rests with the receiving institution.

5.3 Student fees will be waived by the receiving institution. (Students pay to their home institution those fees or charges which normally would be applicable.)

5.4 Reciprocity is to be an objective but this can be achieved over time.

6. Termination
6.1 A University may withdraw its membership of the Network effective twelve months after giving notice in writing to the President.

6.2 A University's membership may be terminated by the Network for good reason and with the agreement of no fewer than 80 percent of the members of the Council.

6.3 A University which ceases to be a member will have no claim on the assets of the Network except at the discretion of the Council.

7. Winding Up
7.1 The Network may be wound up at any time if no fewer than 50 percent of the members of the Council so decide.

7.2 In that event each University will receive an equal share of any assets which remain after all debts have been paid and all obligations discharged.

April 2005