Office of International Relations

• Archives international educational agreements.
• Develops international educational agreements.
• Manages all international educational agreements.
• Assesses the effectiveness of international educational agreements.
• Identifies and nurtures international educational programs.
• Advises and assists incoming and outgoing personnel.

This Operating Procedure aligns with the NDU Student Exchange Policy approved by the University Council and the Board of Trustees.

Exchange/Internship Programs (Managed by OIR-NDU)

Instituting New Exchange/Internship Agreements

We encourage all members of NDU to establish connections with international institutions and initiate the process of designing academic cooperation agreements beneficial to their units. The procedure for establishing new agreements is as follows:

1. A preliminary draft of the agreement is generated by the two parties. The originator of the agreement at NDU, whether OIR, Faculties, or NDU personnel (faculty members, staff, or directors) negotiates the terms with the outside party and drafts the first version. We recommend referring to the "NDU MoU Template" and coordinating with OIR to ensure important articles are included in the first draft.
2. Before any signatures (by NDU or the other party), the preliminary agreement should be sent to OIR for review.
3. Once the OIR review is completed and a consensus is reached, OIR will forward the agreement to the NDU Legal Counsel, who will provide feedback to OIR. OIR will then forward the NDU Legal Counsel's recommendations to the negotiating parties.
4. The final draft approved by all parties will be submitted by OIR to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs for signatures.
5. OIR will keep a copy of the signed agreements and forward copies to the NDU originator and the other party.

Once the agreement is finalized, OIR will manage the agreements as outlined below.

 

Assessing Established Agreements

OIR will assess the effectiveness of agreements using three criteria:

1. Number of NDU personnel who participated.
2. Exit survey administered by OIR to gather feedback from participants.
3. Consultation with the units that initiated the agreement.

This data will be presented to the Council of Deans for evaluation and discussion.

Renewing Expiring Agreements

Once a decision is reached to renew an agreement with or without modifications, the renewal will follow a similar procedure to establishing a new agreement. All agreements must be approved first by the NDU Legal Counsel, who will forward the agreement to OIR for signatures.

Managing Agreements

OIR will notify all concerned NDU personnel of due dates and application procedures for each agreement. OIR will collect applications and organize the review process. Once participants are selected, the relevant academic units will help students design their curriculum abroad; OIR will liaise with NDU administration and the relevant offices at the partnering institution to facilitate administrative functions, such as student registration, housing, and transportation.

Exchange/Internship Programs (Not Managed by NDU)

OIR will inform students, staff, and faculty of relevant academic international opportunities provided by extramural institutions. Additionally, OIR will identify and nurture international opportunities that could benefit NDU personnel. OIR will provide assistance to NDU personnel during the application process.

Exchange and Internship Programs (Managed by OIR-NDU)

Selection criteria and prerequisites for applying may vary depending on the specific agreements established by the NDU unit. OIR will communicate specific requirements to students, staff, and faculty. In general, applicants should maintain a GPA of at least 2.7 (for undergraduate) and 3.0 (for graduate), have successfully completed one year of studies, and anticipate at least one more semester at NDU following the exchange/internship activity before graduating.

Exchange and Internship Programs (Not Managed by OIR-NDU)

Selection criteria and prerequisites for application may vary based on specific agreements. The Office of International Relations (OIR) will notify students, staff, and faculty about the specific requirements. 

Exchange/Internship Programs (Managed By OIR-NDU)

 

Student Exchange/Internship

Students are required to submit the following documents either via email or in person to Rania Najem, Senior Officer at OIR:
1. “Student Cover Page”: Fill attached form.
2. Unofficial Transcript of Grades: SIS printout for all semesters.
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. “Student Personal Statement”: Fill attached form.
5. Letter(s) of support from faculty member: At least one.

 

Application files and procedures may differ for specific programs. OIR will notify faculty members of any changes to the application procedure.

Staff Exchange/Internship

Staff members are requested to submit the following documents either via email or in person to Rania Najem, Senior Officer at OIR:
1. “Staff Cover Page”: Fill attached form.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. “Staff Personal Statement”: Fill attached form.
4. Letter(s) of support from supervisor: At least one.

Application files and procedures may differ for specific programs. OIR will notify faculty members of any changes to the application procedure.

 

Faculty Exchange/Internship

Faculty members are advised to submit the following documents either via email or in person to Rania Najem, Senior Officer at OIR:
1. “Faculty Cover Page”: Fill attached form.
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. “Faculty Personal Statement”: Fill attached form.
4. Letter(s) of support from Department Chair or Dean: At least one.

 

Application files and procedures may differ for specific programs. OIR will notify faculty members of any changes to the application procedure. 

Exchange/Internship Programs (Not Managed By NDU)

OIR will communicate the application procedure for each program to students, staff, and faculty and offer assistance in completing applications.

Exchange/Internship Programs (Managed by OIR-NDU)

OIR will form a committee of 3-5 relevant experts to rank applicants and to select participants through a voting process. The selection meeting will be attended by one member of OIR (non-voting) who will fill a reporting form evaluating the fairness of the selection process.

Students will be notified of the status of their application by OIR or by the relevant unit at NDU.

Exchange/Internship Programs (Not Managed by NDU)

Most of these programs are reviewed by outside organizations.  For the programs that include a review that is internal to NDU, OIR will form a committee of 3-5 relevant experts to rank applicants and to select participants through a voting process; this committee will include at least one member of OIR (non-voting) who will fill a reporting form evaluating the fairness of the selection process.

Students, staff, and faculty from international institutions who are scheduled to attend NDU would report to OIR who will provide assistance with administrative and residency issues.

NDU students and personnel should first report to OIR, which will assist with administrative issues; students should use the “Student Travel Checklist” to ensure completion of all requirements prior to travel. OIR will also liaise with the partnering institution to facilitate the travel arrangements of NDU personnel. An OIR Course Substitution Form is available for registration at NDU during the international activity.

Upon completion of the exchange/internship activity, OIR will conduct an exit interview to solicit feedback that will include suggestions for enhancing the international experience. OIR will also solicit captioned photos of the experience that will be displayed, with the participant’s prior approval.