International partnership agreements

The University of Manitoba has partnerships with over 500 universities, businesses, governments and institutions around the world, providing students and researchers with opportunities to learn, discover and exchange knowledge on a global scale.

The University of Manitoba requires signed agreements in order to implement some projects and initiatives with other institutions. If you’d like to discuss a partnership opportunity with us, please contact the International Agreement Officer for your region for information on how to proceed with an agreement.

You will be required to submit a request for agreement (RFA) form (pdf) for review. We will review the RFA, and if it is approved, we will work with you and the appropriate faculty unit to develop an agreement. The agreement will then be finalized, approved and signed by all parties and institutions. Fully executed copies of the agreement will be provided to the faculty unit, Research and International Agreements Team, and the University of Manitoba’s legal counsel.

Key Factors for a Successful International Partnership

  • Academic Foundation: Successful partnerships are based on the academic objectives of the University, therefore the support of your colleagues, faculty dean, and the University’s administration is very important.
  • Diverse Network of Support: A broad-based commitment that goes beyond the interests of an individual faculty member or student makes for a stronger, more sustainable international partnership.
  • Balance: Successful international partnerships are ones in which all participating institutions experience a satisfactory level of benefit. When designing the partnership and negotiating any agreements, ensure that each partner is both contributing to and benefiting from the partnership.
  • Consultation: The Research and International Agreements Team has a wealth of experience and resources which can be of great assistance to University of Manitoba faculty and staff interested in initiating an international partnership.

Types of international agreements

The Research and International Agreements Team facilitates the development and negotiation of all agreements involving the movement of people to and from the University of Manitoba and international locations.

To initiate the development of the following agreement types, contact the International Agreements Officer for your region.

Collaborative PhD agreement

An agreement outlining the terms by which individual students can receive a dual doctoral degree from both the University of Manitoba and a collaborating university outside of Canada. Students can be from either the University of Manitoba or the partner institution. They spend a period in residence and complete portions of their program of study at, and fulfill all requirements of, both universities. Faculty of Graduate Studies approval is required.

Faculty exchange agreement

An agreement that describes the respective commitments of the University of Manitoba and an international partner university regarding movement of faculty members between the two institutions. It provides details on research collaboration, teaching exchange, provision of accommodation or research facilities, reporting, and responsibilities while on exchange. Graduate student mobility for research purposes may also be included in this agreement.

International partnership conference agreement

An agreement that describes the respective responsibilities of University of Manitoba and an international partner, regarding the planning of joint conferences that occur on a regular basis (annually, biennially, etc).

International articulation agreement

An agreement that describes the terms and conditions by which students who have completed an approved program of study at another institution may transfer to the University of Manitoba to complete their program of study and receive a University of Manitoba degree. These agreements require an additional document that must go through a Senate approval process, coordinated by the Office of the VP Integrated Planning and Academic Programs. The agreement process should be initiated a minimum of two years before mobility starts in order to obtain required approvals and have admissions processes in place.

Internship or practicum agreement

Any agreement that defines the terms by which University of Manitoba students participate in a practicum or internship abroad, or by which students from another country come to UM to conduct a practicum or internship. Practicums and internships are supervised, on-site experiences that are part of a student’s degree.

Memorandum of understanding (MOU)

An MOU is an agreement that establishes a relationship between the University of Manitoba and a partner institution, and identifies possible areas of collaboration. These agreements are not legally binding, so they are only signed when there is a supplementary agreement or activity associated with them. An MOU is no longer required to initiate other agreements.

Mobility funding agreement

Examples include Queen Elizabeth Scholars, Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility and Erasmus+ Jean Monnet.

Post graduate training agreement

An agreement that describes the terms and conditions by which students who have graduated from an approved international program come to the University of Manitoba to complete their post graduate training (e.g. medical residency training).

Program service provider agreement

An agreement that describes the terms and conditions by which either the University of Manitoba or an international partner institution provide a specialized fee-based programs or services. (e.g., travel study courses, non-degree English language courses).

Student exchange agreement

An agreement that defines the terms of the two-way movement of students between the University of Manitoba and a partner institution. Students pay tuition fees to their home institutions for courses taken while on the exchange; therefore within the period of the agreement, the number of inbound and outbound students should be balanced. Students may study up to a maximum of one academic year on this type of program.

Our partnerships

Contact us

Please contact the International Agreements Officer for your region for information on how to proceed with an agreement.

General Inquiries

Research & International Agreements

541 University Centre
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

intlagreements@umanitoba.ca