Frame
Agreement
between
Makerere
University, Kampala, Uganda
and
University of
Bergen, Bergen, Norway
on
research collaboration,
scientific competence building,
student and staff exchange, and
institutional development
Strategic Document
Kampala
and Bergen
November, 1999
Preamble
A “General Agreement of Co-operation” was
signed between Makerere University (hereafter referred to as MU) and the
University of Bergen (hereafter referred as UoB) in May 1992. This five-year
agreement expired in 1997. Since 1992 the co-operation between our two
universities has expanded considerably, and at both universities this
collaboration is given priority.
Both institutions have invested
considerable effort and resources into the co-operation. Today 4 centres, 3
faculties and 7 departments at UoB are involved in the co-operation, at MU 6
departments and 2 faculties are participating. The NUFU project “Basic sciences
for technological development in Uganda” which started in 1992, is in its last
year, and based on what has been achieved in this project, new activities will
continue into the next phase of NUFU. The strategic programme “Nature, Society
and Water” have started its research activities in Lake Victoria funded by the
Norwegian research council (NFR) and UoB. The project “Light and Life in Lake
Victoria”, funded by NFR, is in its starting phase. The project “Aquaculture,
Nutrition and Health in Developing countries” have got funding for planning
from UoB.
UoB has given highest priority to
planning proposals to NUFU for 4 projects where scientists from MU are main
partners: “Biosystematics at Makerere University, Uganda”, “Gender Studies”,
“Integrated management of fresh water ecotones in Uganda”, and “Women and
Water”. Two programs for master degrees are being developed as part of the
co-operation: one in environmental sciences and one in integrated management of
areas by rivers and lakes.
The co-operation is based on priorities
and strategic documents from both institutions and the strategy document of the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Strategy for strengthening research and
higher education connected to Norway’s relations to developing countries.[1]
This collaboration calls for a committed
institutional frame agreement to a) secure project and collaboration
sustainability, and to b) facilitate and optimise the efforts put into this
co-operation.
Thus,
recognising
the ongoing and increasing collaboration, and the mutual interests for further
scientific and academic co-operation through collaborative research, and
exchange of students and staff as a way for promoting co-operation and
interaction between Uganda and Norway, and
Taking advantage
of the
already existing professional and personal contacts between academic members of
staff of the two universities,
Makerere
University and the University of Bergen, inspired by their common principles,
complementary objectives and mutual interest to establish co-operation centred
on collaborative research, teaching and exchange of staff and students,
scientific competence building, and institutional development, have decided to
agree on the terms and conditions set out in the Articles following hereunder.
Article
1: Areas of co-operation
1.1 This agreement shall be considered an element in the
strategic work at MU and UoB by giving priority to collaboration projects
between scientists from the two academic institutions. There shall be mutual
information on ongoing and new international activities, and scientists may be
invited to participate in ongoing and future research projects if funding can
be provided.
1.2 It is an important part of this agreement to include
partners into present networks, and it is an aim jointly to expand and secure
existing and future networks.
1.3 The co-operation between the two
institutions will take the form of:
§
Joint
research and teaching in existing projects, through mutual assistance in the
establishment of new joint programmes, and joint organisation of conferences
and workshops
§
Exchange
of staff and exchange of graduate students
§
Exchange
of information and publications
1.4 Institutional development and
competence building shall be integrated into all collaboration activities and
by actively encouraging scientists at both universities to participate.
Article
2: Research and teaching
2.1 Collaboration between the two universities can be
established in any field of mutual interest relevant to the objectives of the
two universities. The universities shall have mutual obligations to develop a
balanced collaboration and to seek to develop human resources and increase intellectual
capital at both universities.
2.2 As a general principle all collaboration will be organised
in joint projects. For each project a detailed plan is to be drawn up in the
form of an agreement between the parties, with reference to this Frame
Agreement. Individual research programmes covered by this Frame Agreement may,
however, be funded under separate funding agreements. One-sided research
initiatives will not be excluded, but should be relevant to, and included in,
ongoing joint activities.
2.3 The principle objective shall be to develop joint research
programmes which address issues mutually agreed upon.
2.4 It is an aim of the co-operation to develop special
projects to strengthen competence within both institutions through joint
activities, training and staff and postgraduate student exchange.
2.5 It is an aim for the collaboration to encourage and enhance
co-operation in research and training with other East African universities.
Third party scientists joining projects under this Frame Agreement may join the
agreement as individuals (cf. Article 6 of this agreement).
2.6 Particular attention will be paid to interdisciplinary
projects in the basic sciences, on environmental issues and biodiversity
research, in resource management and development of local communities by lakes
and rivers, medicine and health, and on social issues including gender studies.
2.7 Knowledge and information originating from the
collaboration shall be jointly disseminated through publications, conferences,
and workshops.
Article
3: Exchange of staff
3.1 The purpose of normal exchange of staff shall be teaching and
research, and technical training.
3.2 Following receipt of written credentials and proposed activities,
either party may submit a letter of invitation to the other party outlining the
proposed terms and conditions under which the visit is to take place.
3.3 Negotiations between the parties concerning such proposed visits
shall include consideration of funding for the expenses of the visiting staff
member or members.
Article
4: Exchange of graduate students
4.1 UoB will facilitate students from MU wishing to pursue MSc or
PhD studies in Norway. UoB staff will assist in supervision of theses by MU students,
including possible joint supervision of students doing their field work in
Uganda or elsewhere.
4.2 UoB will assist students from MU in the necessary practical
matters and with formalities regarding permission to study and reside in
Norway. However, arrangements for
funding must be made in advance, and students should be connected to ongoing
collaboration projects.
4.3 MU shall accept graduate students from UoB who wish to
undertake independent research projects in Uganda.
4.4 Students from UoB will be assisted by MU in getting
authorisation, accommodation, transportation, office, library, and laboratory
facilities. For each student there should be funding to meet costs of
accommodation, air and local transportation, health insurance, daily living and
books.
4.5 MU will facilitate the securing for students of residence and
research permits, if applicable, and necessary supervision during their periods
of stay in Uganda.
Article
5: Funding and finance
5.1 As a general principle the cost of the collaboration shall
be covered through project overhead from the projects under the Frame
Agreement. Remaining overhead may be allotted to project development within the
agreement.
5.2 Details of financial arrangements to support exchange of
visiting professors, adjunct professors, postgraduates, graduate students, and
staff will be worked out between the two institutions and approved through exchange
of letters.
5.3 Both institutions shall endeavour to secure local financial
support for implementation of the general principles of the Frame Agreement.
Efforts will be made to secure funding initially towards carrying out meetings
or workshops to evaluate the co-operation during the first year, with an aim
towards securing funding for longer term co-operation as stated in Article 8 of
this agreement.
Article
6: Annex
6.1 This Frame Agreement consists of two parts: 1) a Strategic
Document on the key objectives, principles, and mutual commitments of the
institutions involved in the co-operation, and 2) an Annex where specific
objectives are identified.
6.2 The Annex is the working document on course of action taken
to achieve the aims for the collaboration. It may specify priorities and
responsibilities, status and development of joint projects, extent of personnel
exchange, evaluation and measures to improve the co-operation, funding
agreements, new joint initiatives, third party participation, other issues of
relevance.
Article
7: Management and administration of the collaboration
7.1 To follow up the frame agreement, facilitate the
collaboration and co-ordinate local activities, there will be established a
MU-office at UoB and vice versa. Each
institution shall identify a co-ordinator who shall have responsibility for the
day-to-day implementation and monitoring of the collaboration, provide
information about ongoing and planned projects that may be relevant to the
collaboration, and for organising annual project and administrative meetings.
7.2 Negotiation, implementation, and reporting related to
the collaboration will be co-ordinated through periodic consultative meetings
by the frame agreement co-ordinators.
Article 8: Disputes,
time frame, termination, and ratification
8.1 In case of any dispute relating to the implementation or
interpretation of this Frame Agreement there shall be mutual consultation
between the signatories to this Frame Agreement.
8.2 This Frame Agreement has a time frame of fifteen years.
Based on the development of the collaboration, the Strategic Document will be
mutually evaluated and renegotiated every five years, the Annex revised and
updated by the co-ordinators every three years.
8.3 Either party could terminate the Frame Agreement, giving a
notice of not less than six months prior to the termination.
8.4 This Frame Agreement shall take effect
upon ratification by signature by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University
and the Rector of the University of Bergen.
Kampala, 18th
of November 1999
___________________________ _____________________________
Makerere
University University
of Bergen
Professor P.J.M.
Ssebuwufu Professor Kirsti Koch Christensen
Vice-Chancellor Rector
___________________________ ____________________________
Makerere
University University
of Bergen
Mr. Avitus M. Tibarimbasa Mr.
Kåre Rommetveit
University Secretary Director General
[1] Strategi for styrking
av forskning og høyere utdanning i tilknytning til Norges forhold til
utviklingslandene (Oslo, January 1999 (in Norwegian)).