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Faculty Exchange

Introduction

VSU faculty members may travel abroad to work at a VSU partner institution abroad. An "exchange" does not necessarily imply an exact, simultaneous exchange with someone in the same discipline at the same time. Exchange is a general term, used to describe a variety of arrangements under which a faculty member may spend time at a foreign partner institution teaching, conducting research, or collaborating on curriculum development. Sometimes, exchanges are arranged so that a VSU faculty member essentially changes places with a colleague abroad at the same time and in the same discipline. More commonly, an exchange experience involves spending a semester or portion of a semester abroad, without an exchange counterpart coming to VSU. Opportunities for exchange currently exist at institutions in Russia, the United kingdom, the Chech Republic, China, Hungary, and Belize. The specific institutions where exchange may currently be arranged are listed below.

Approval of an exchange is ultimately in the hands of both the academic units at VSU and the university where the faculty member would like to go.

Conditions for Faculty Exchange

1. Faculty on approved exchanges remain on full salary and benefits from VSU; exchange is an assignment, not a leave of absence.

2. Funding for roundtrip travel to the exchange site is provided through the Faculty Internationalization Fund; proposals have to be submitted on standard forms available through the Center for International Programs. One form is used for obtaining funding and official approval of the exchange.

3. Partner institutions provide housing for exchange professors. Conditions of support vary, depending on the particular exchange agreement. Some partner institutions provide for stipends to cover living expenses; at others only housing is provided.

4. Faculty exchange participants are responsible for all costs other than those specified, including passport and visa expenses, any health precautions that must be taken, and in-country travel.

5. Each exchange is arranged through the Center for International Programs and negotiated on a case-by-case basis.


Steps in Applying for Faculty Exchange

  1. Ideally, you should begin at least a year before you want to be away. Start by expressing interest to the Center for International Programs (CIP) regarding times, disciplines, preferred site, etc.
  2. Discuss with your chair and dean your interest and possible dates when it would be feasible for you to be away.
  3. Once you have informal approval from your chair/dean, meet with CIP director.
  4. Provide CIP with a c.v. and a brief, one page narrative describing teaching interests, research interests, special courses/ topics you might be able to offer.
  5. CIP will contact partner institutions and query their interest in your exchange.
  6. Once a partner institution agrees to the exchange, submit a proposal for funding through the Faculty Internationalization Fund (forms available in CIP).
  7. Work with department in arranging coverage of courses, etc., during your absence.
  8. Once funding in approved, CIP will assist in orientation, travel arrangements, visas (where needed), other preparations.

Partner Institutions with VSU

  1. Syktyvkar State University - Syktyvkar, Russia
    (other tertiary institutions in Syktyvkar, including Pedagogical Institute and Art College)
  2. University of Sunderland - Sunderland, England
  3. University of Paisley, Paisley, Scotland
  4. Esterhazy Karoly College - Eger, Hungary
  5. Autonomous University of Yucatán - Mérida, Mexico
  6. Yangzhou University - Yangzhou, China
  7. University College of Belize - other tertiary institutions in Belize
  8. University of Northumbria - Newcastle, England
  9. Palacky University - Olomouc, Czech Republic