The following is an agreement that the University of Ancona will participate in the International student exchange in aquatic biodiversity, a program created to provide students with skills and knowledge to address international management of aquatic biodiversity.



Objectives:


The objectives of this program are to facilitate the participation of the university students in interdisciplinary academic training in the following areas: management and study of aquatic biodiversity, including fisheries, aquaculture, ecosystems, ecology, marine sciences, taxonomy, and sustainable use of natural resources.



Founding Members:



In Canada                                      In Europe
Centre of Marine B iodiversity            Agricultural University of Athens
Dalhousie University                        Ghent University
Fisheries and Oceans Canada            University of Cork
Huntsman Marine Science Centre       University of Ancona
St. Mary's University                        Aqua TT
University of Guelph                         Institute of Marine Biology of Crete
University of New Brunswick



Additional members will be added to this program with the mutual agreement of the Canadian and European coordinators. In Canada the programme is coordinated by the Huntsman Marine Science Centre. In Europe the programme is coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.


General Conditions:


The following agreement has been concluded between the Huntsman Marine Science Centre and the University of Ancona, Faculty of Sciences to encourage the exchange of students, recent graduates and fàculty members between European and Canadian Institutions.

Such exchanges are subject to the consent of the relevant department, fàculty or research unit at the host institution. Neither institution is obliged to provide fìnancial support for students or visiting scholars.


Declarations:


The general conditions affecting student exchanges are presented in this section.

Specific conditions may be developed relative to such factors as minimum previous credits to be completed prior to taking part in an exchange, length of stay in each of the institutions, procedure for selecting exchange students, etc.   Acceptance of these conditions would be required of both institutions.   The general conditions include:


1.    Both undergraduate and graduate students must meet the acadernie requirements and possess sufficient understanding of the language employed by the host institution to complete their work plan.


2.    Students who wish to have credit granted at their home university for courses taken at the host institution must first obtain approval from their home university prior to enrolling in the courses.


3.    Students taking part in this exchange program shall be responsible for payment of tuition, books, any auxiliary fees, trave! and living expenses unless specifically exempted by conditions outlined in an addendum to this agreement. Students will receive a small stipend to offset costs incurred as a result of participation in the program; this will be handled by thè principal coordinating institution in each country.


4.    Ali participants must be registered students at the time of application.


5. The exchange officials within each university will evaluate their own students and decide who may participate in the exchange. The host university reserves the right to exercise final judgement concerning the admissibility of each nominated student. Selection for, or participation in the exchange does not confer the right to pursue a degree at the host institution.


6.    Each student will pay tuition and associated fees at the home institution and shall not incur additional tuition fees by the host institution. Each institution will maintain its own policy of course equivalence and balance of incoming versus outgoing students. The number of exchanged students is expected to balance out over the life of the agreement.


7.    All participating students will be required to carry adequate health insurance and to provide proof of this to the host institution. Where possible the student will be enrolled in an existing health insurance pian operating by the university.


8.    Exchange participants are responsible for locating and paying for their own accommodation. However, the host institution will make an effort to assist the students with the procurement of suitable lodgings.


9.    The full range of service normally available to international students regularly enrolled at the host institution shall be provided to the exchange students under this agreement. The host institution's code of acceptable academic and extra-academic conduct applies to participating exchange students.


10. Upon completion of the study tour at the host organization, the exchange student must return to the home university. Any extension of the stay must be approved by both cooperating organizations.


11. The participating institutions shall abide by the policy of equal opportunity and will not discriminate on the basis or race, sex, disability, age, ethnicity, religion, or nationality in the administration of the exchange agreement. The institutions will not impose criteria for the exchange of students which will violate these principles of non-discrimination.


Scientific and Faculty Exchange Program:


To facilitate inter-institution al research and scholarly activity, contribute to faculty development, sharing of joint research interests and provision of graduate student education, each university agrees to welcome visiting faculty members, research fellows and visiting scholars from the other institution.

Neither institution is obliged to provide financial support to members taking part under this Agreement. Where financial commitments are made by either party they shall be detailed in an addendum to this Agreement.

The host institution will provide some form of office accommodation, library privileges and the right to

attend and participate in university courses without charge.

The host university will not be responsible for travel costs, meals and accommodation, medical coverage and fees for participants covered under this Agreement unless specified in an addendum to this document The participants will be required to carry adequate health insurance coverage.

In the event that a visiting faculty member, scholar, or researcher is invited to teach a regularly scheduled course it will be done at the stipend rates normally paid by the host Institution for such courses.


Administration and Duration of Agreement:


This agreement shall remain in force for a specified period from the date signed unless one or both of the partìes to it indicates in writing their intention to withdraw from the Agreement. Notification of intention to withdraw will normally be given to the other institution by March 30th of the year in which the Institution wishes to withdraw. Early termination of an agreement will not alter the responsibilities of the partìes to carry out the terms of the agreement with respect to students who have already been admitted to the host university.

This Agreement may be renewed subject to consent of both parties. The decision to renew the Agreement must be made six months prior to the normal termination date.


Duration of Agreement:

This agreement shall be in force untìl October 31, 2004.



Agreement Approved by:
Name  Marco Pacetti
Position  Rector ofthe (Jniversity'lrv
University of Ancona



Agreement Approved by:
Position  Huntsman Marine Science Centre