Press Room

The Fairfax County Educational Accords between Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Fairfax County , Virginia, USA , May 20, 2005

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KHARAGPUR and TECHNION – ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (hereafter referred to as IIT Kharagpur) and Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (hereafter referred to as Technion) believing in the extension and strengthening of scientific exchange and cooperation to be of mutual value of their respective institutes and to the development of understanding between their respective peoples, hereby record their intentions to promote academic and educational exchange between their institutes through the following activities, and so affirm in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA.

1. STAFF EXCHANGE
   1. Exchange of Academic Staff The two institutes may nominate their academic staff to participate in an exchange for the purpose of study or lecturing in the other institutes on a reciprocal basis. The participation is subject to approval by the host institute and granting of applicable leave by home institutes. The period of exchange will normally be one or two semesters. The host institutes will provide a visiting appointment, library and research facilities, and other assistance as far as possible. The host institutes will also assist the visiting academic staff in locating living accommodation.
      
   2. Visiting Academic Staff In addition to the reciprocal exchanges, either institute may invite faculty members of the other institute for the purpose of lecturing or consultation for a specified period of time, subject to the approval of the home institutes. In such cases the inviting institute makes appropriate funding arrangements agreed to in advance.
      
   3. Visiting Research Fellows Either institute may nominate one or more of its faculty to visit the other institute for the purpose of advanced study or research, subject to the approval of the host institute and granting of applicable leave by the home institute. In such cases, the home institute will provide the research fellow with financial support based on home institute’s regulation and availability of funds. The host institute will provide institutional courtesies, library and research facilities and an appropriate appointment.
      
   4. The above mentioned exchange programs are subject to obtaining all government documentations and clearances from the host institute’s state immigration authorities.
      
      
2. STUDENT EXCHANGE
   1. Exchange of Students. Each institute may send students, either undergraduate or graduate, to the other institute in appropriate fields of study.
      
   2. Both institutes agree that the exchange program is subject to the educational system and regulations of the counterpart institute. Students from each institute, who apply for exchange programs, shall submit their applications to the other institute through their own institute.
      
   3. The above mentioned exchange programs are subject to obtaining all governmental documentations and clearances from the host institute’s state immigration authorities.
      
      
3. COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
   1. Cooperative research is to be encouraged as individual scholars or departments establish contact and develop mutual interests. The cost and conditions of such agreements will be negotiated individually.
      
      
4. EXCHANGE OF ACADEMIC MATERIALS
1. Each institute shall exchange all relevant materials, such as those relating to the library, on a regular basis. The libraries can also exchange reference materials for research purposes.
   
   
5. TERMS OF COOPERATION
   1. The terms of cooperation for each specific activity implemented under this Memorandum of Understanding shall be mutually discussed and agreed upon in writing by both parties prior to the initiation of that activity.
      
   2. Any such agreement entered into, as outlined above, will form an Appendix to this Memorandum of Understanding.
      
      
6. COORDINATION OF THE EXCHANGE
   1.  Each institution shall designate a liaison officer to develop and coordinate the specific activities agreed upon.
      
   2. Through these offices, both parties may initiate proposals for activities and specific details of any such activity will be set forth in a subsidiary agreement.
      
      
7. RENEWAL, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
   1.  This Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation becomes effective on the date of signature. It may be amended by agreement of the parties. It is renewed every three years without change on that date unless one party gives notice six months in advance. It may be terminated anytime by either party by giving an advance notice of six months.
      
   2. For this purpose, the responsible parties will be Dean, Alumni Affairs & International Relations of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and the Senior Vice President of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

Signed this day in Fairfax County, Virginia, USA