S.00-24

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Office of the Vice-President, Academic

?

Memorandum

To:

Senate

?

From:

John M. Munro

Chair, SCIA

Re:

Senate Committee on International Date: ?

February 15, 2000

Activities Annual Report

For information I attach the Annual Report for the Senate Committee on

International Activities (SCIA) for January to December 1999.

7-^a &Vt^^

Attachment

/pjs

sciaJsenae/2204

.

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.

For Information

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

ANNUAL REPORT TO SENATE?

January December 1999

Introduction

The Senate Committee on International Activities is a Standing Committee (Reporting

Category "B") established under terms of the University Policy on International

Activities. The terms of reference and composition of the committee are attached as

Annex A.

SCIA met six times in 1999. This report summarizes the issues dealt with by the

Committee during the course of the year. For those wanting more detailed information

concerning SCIA's meetings, the approved minutes of the meetings are found on the

2

John M. Munro

Vice-President, Academic (Chair)

Sameh Al-Natour

Undergraduate Student Senator

James Deigrande

Faculty Senator

Jonathan Driver

Faculty Senator

Kevin Hewitt

Graduate Student Senator

Paul McFetridge

Faculty Senator

Joe Peters

Senator (at-large)

Cohn Jones

Executive Director, International Relations (non-

voting)

Joe Knockaert

Secretary (non-voting), Director, International

Cooperation

1999 Meeting Dates for SCIA

February 1, 1999

April 12, 1999

May 17, 1999

September 7, 1999

October 26, 1999

November 30, 1999

Activit y

Report

1. ?

The International Student Exchan g

e Committee (ISEC)

In 1999, ISEC selected 108 SFU students (111 full-time semesters in total) to

participate in the University's international bilateral and multilateral

undergraduate exchanges.

A detailed list of SFU's current student exchange partner institutions is provided

at Annex B.

Committee membership from January 1999 to May 1999 included:

Len Berggren

Rosena Davison

Andrew Heard

Rina Zazkis

C. Ferronato

Stephen Hart

Faculty Senator and Chair

Faculty Member

Faculty Member

Faculty Member

Undergraduate Student

Associate Dean, Graduate Studies (Ex Officio,

voting member)

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Ron Heath ?

Registrar and Dean of Student Services (Ex Officio,

voting member)

Randall Martin

?

Director, International & Exchange Student

Services (Ex Officio, voting member)

Dana Hucal

?

Secretary (Student Exchange Coordinator, non-

voting member)

ISEC members from June to December 1999, included:

Paul McFetridge

Faculty Senator and Chair

Sameh AlNatour*

Undergraduate Student

Barbara Frisken

Faculty Member

Andrew Heard

Faculty Member

Rina Zazkis

Faculty Member

Stephen Hart

Associate Dean, Graduate Studies (Ex Officio,

voting member)

Ron Heath

Registrar and Dean of Student Services (Ex Officio,

voting member)

Randall Martin

Director, International & Exchange Student

Services (Ex Officio, voting member)

Dana Hucal

Secretary (Student Exchange Coordinator, non-

voting member)

* Replaced C. Ferronato effective October 4, 1999

2. ?

Discussion on Political Chan2e and Education in Indonesia

In February, 1999, SCIA met with two Indonesian educators who were visiting

SFU with the support of the Eastern Indonesia Universities Development Project.

The guests were Dr. M.T. Zen (Professor of Applied Geophysics, Bandung

Institute of Technology) and Dr. Muchtor Buchori (Professor of Education,

Muhammadiyah-Hamka University and Co-chair of the Indonesian Democratic

Party). The purpose of the meeting was to provide SCIA members an opportunity

to learn more about the rapidly evolving situation in Indonesia.

Dr. Zen noted the importance of liberal education, and exposure of Indonesian

faculty and students to North American and European values and ideas. He sees

this as an important means of introducing new influences that contribute to

bringing about change in his country, particularly since universities have provided

the impetus for much of the change that has occurred in Indonesia. SCIA's

Indonesian guests also see contact between Indonesian and foreign academics as

very important in promoting economic and social development.

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40

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At its November 30, 1999, meeting SCIA agreed to have a general discussion of

Indonesia early in the new year. This decision was taken because of the rapidly

evolving situation in that country, the opportunities that SFU will have to engage

in new project activities in that county, and because of the concerns within the

SFU community about our involvement there. The objective is to identify

concerns and/or conditions that will have to be considered before SFU becomes

involved in any new project activities in Indonesia. It was also agreed that several

guests, representing various perspectives, be invited to participate in the

discussion.

3.

Proposal to Establish a Centre for Polic y

Research at the International

University of Business A

g

riculture and Technology - IUBAT (Dhaka,

Bangladesh)

The Faculty of Business Administration sought SCIA approval for them to

support IUBAT in its effort to establish a centre for policy research in

Bangladesh. While SCIA supported the proposal, its support was made

conditional on securing the agreement of SFU's Vice-President, Finance and

Administration that SFU can accept donations in Canada, on behalf of IUBAT, to

support of the Centre and its work. The acceptability of this arrangement was

subsequently confirmed, and a Memorandum of Understanding between SFU and

IUBAT was signed during the course of the year.

4.

Technical Writin

g

Pro gram

in India

The Writing and Publishing Program (Ann Cowan and Bob Allin) briefed SCIA

on a workshop that they delivered in India in April 1999, and the interest of

prospective partners in India (Anna University and a firm known as SAl) in

working with SFU to deliver SFU's Certificate program in India. SCIA members

indicated that an arrangement for delivering SFU's Certificate program in India

had significant implications regarding internal approval processes, quality control

requirements and budgeting. SCIA concluded that if SFU's Certificate program is

to be offered in India, Continuing Studies will need to return to SCIA (and other

relevant University committees) with a detailed business plan that deals with

these various issues.

5.

Proposed Project with the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara

SCIA was informed of an invitation extended to SFU and BCIT to submit a

proposal to the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) to support them in

developing an adult education program to upgrade the skills of employees and

potential employees for various industries in the Guadalajara area. With interest

in the project expressed by Applied Sciences, the Centre for Distance Education,

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Continuing Studies, Education, and the Telelearning Research NCE, SCIA

endorsed SFU's pursuit of this project opportunity.

A proposal was submitted in March, 1999. By year-end, a decision had not yet

been taken by UAG on our proposal.

6.

Signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) vs. Letters of Intent (LOl)

Two proposed MOUs were presented for SCIA's consideration: one with the

Colombo Plan Staff College in Manila; and the other with the Regional Language

Centre in Singapore. At issue was whether SFU should sign MOUs when specific

activities or areas of cooperation have not yet been identified - as was the case

with each of these organizations. SCIA decided that SFU's normal practice

should prevail, i.e. MOUs should be signed only after specific activities have been

identified and agreed to in principle. SCIA indicated that LOIs or other

appropriate documents should be signed when SFU and prospective partner

institutions are simply agreeing to "explore" possible areas of cooperation.

7.

Strategy for Internationalization at SFU

At its May, 1999 meeting, SCIA considered for the first time a working document

titled "Internationalization for the New Millennium". The paper was introduced

as the University's effort to develop an explicit strategy to guide the planning and

pursuit of internationalization activities at SFU. SCIA discussed various aspects

of the paper and encouraged broader consultation with the university community

in shaping this document. It was also suggested that the paper ultimately be taken

to Senate for information. The paper was considered at three subsequent SCIA

meetings, changes were recommended the Committee and made. At its meeting

of November 30, 1999, SCIA endorsed the draft document, and recommended

that it be presented to Senate for information and discussion.

SCIA also recommended that in order to promote the concept of

internationalization at SFU, this paper be sent to the President and VP, Academic

search committees for use in the selection process of candidates for these

positions.

8.

Faculty of Education's Planned International Activities

The Faculty of Education made an omnibus presentation to SCIA outlining a wide

range of international activities that it is investigating. It was emphasized that

many of these planned activities would not come to fruition while new

opportunities would present themselves, sometimes unexpectedly.

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Specific issues raised with SCIA included:

• the possibility that a long-term program of cooperation between the Faculty

and educators from Greenland would be identified and that SCIA approval of

a formal MOU would be sought.

• the Faculty's recent work with the University of the West Indies (Trinidad &

Tobago campus) and their request for

SCIA

to support the signature of an

MOU between SFU and UWI to cover future collaboration

• the Faculty's desire to sign an

MOU

with the Institut Aminuddin Baki

(JAB)

in Malaysia to govern teacher/educator training programs for which SFU

expects to be contracted by Malaysia.

SCIA recommended that MOUs be signed with both UWI and the

JAB.

9.

Selection of a Chair for the International Student Exchan

g

e Committee

(ISEC)

SCIA

discussed the selection of a new Chair for the ISEC, a sub-committee of

SCIA.

The main issue revolved around the merit or need to select the Chair of

this Committee from within

SCIA.

This issue arose because of the demands on

•

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the time of SCIA members and the initial reluctance of members to take on

additional committee responsibilities. SCIA reviewed the history of why and how

ISEC

was established, and the relationship between the work of the two

committees. SCIA agreed that the ISEC chair should continue

to

be a member of

SCIA.

Paul McFetridge agreed to let his name stand for nomination, and was

unanimously endorsed by SCIA as the new Chair of ISEC.

10.

SFU Proposals for the 1999 Universit y

Partnershi p

s

in Cooperation and

Development Competition (Tier 2)

SCIA considered three concept papers related to possible proposals to this year's

competition for project funding provided by the Canadian International

Development Agency. Since only two proposals can be submitted by each

Canadian university that will be the lead Canadian partner, SCIA recommended

that the two proposals to go forward be one to develop a professional community

development program in Mexico, and one to provide training to community

development workers (women) in Mexico. The third concept paper related to

distance education in Botswana was not selected since it was less well developed

and the deadline for submissions was near.

SCIA noted for future reference that ideally two projects going forward in the

same competition should more differentiated in terms of geographic location and

discipline than was the case this year.

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11.

Secondar

y

School Teacher Education Project (Malawi)

SCIA recommended support for SFU's participation in this competitive proposal

for a CIDA-funded project. SFU will be associated with Brandon University and

Hickling Corporation in this bid. SFU's main contribution will be through the

Centre for Distance Education and directed toward building Malawi's capacity to

deliver teacher-upgrading programs using distance education techniques.

12.

Written Communications Skill Services: Proposal to the UN High

Commissioner for Refugees

Continuing Studies proposed bidding on a contract to create a distance education

program to improve the writing skills for senior staff of the UN High

Commissioner for Refugees. SFU would draw on its existing program content.

SCIA members raised questions and concerns including:

• whether course content would have to be tailored by culture, language and

region of delivery

• the need to have differential pricing for courses, by language, to reflect the

different cost for course development of the French, English and Spanish

programs.

SCIA recommended that the proposal be approved, subject to a more transparent

presentation of the budget, and careful review by the Vice-President, Academic.

13.

Approval of a Career Counselin g

Course in Shan

g

hai and Vancouver

SCIA reviewed for information documentation related to this project, which was

approved in August 1999, by the VP Academic. The Chair noted that he

approved this project without first consulting SCIA because a commitment by

SFU was required quickly, at a time when a number of SCIA members were not

available, and before SCIA was scheduled to meet. The Chair offered in future to

circulate such material to SCIA electronically (or in hard copy) where a decision

is required very quickly.

14. ?

Proposal for a Field School in Hellenic Studies

SCIA identified several concerns with the proposed field school including the

selection criteria for students, the possible reliance on the Antipas Foundation for

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financial support, the lack of an express minimum GPA requirement, and the

absence of an identified faculty member to lead the school.

SCIA deferred its decision until the Faculty of Arts was able to clarify and

confirm that:

• SFU students will be given priority

• academic criteria will prevail in selecting participants

• the field school will not be financially dependent on the Antipas Foundation

• if external funding is forthcoming, it will result in lowering the cost to

participating students.

Subsequent clarifications from the Associate Dean of Arts satisfied SCIA's

concerns, and the Committee recommended that the field school proceed.

15.

Pro p

osal to Participate in a North American Student Mobility

Initiative

"Globalization and Governance in North America: Developing an

Integrated Curriculum"

The Chair of ISEC spoke to this item noting that his committee had been

concerned with: the late submission of the proposal (very close to the final

submission date, to Human Resources Development Canada, for funding); the

•

?

lack of information on which to base an informed decision; and the financial

contribution that would be required of SFU. For these reasons, the proposal was

withdrawn from consideration, but may be resubmitted in next year's competition.

The Chair of ISEC thought that this type of proposal goes beyond student

mobility, and as such, should come to SCIA for consideration. SCIA agreed.

16.

Update on Facult

y

of Education Initiatives

In November 1999, SCIA considered an update presented by the Faculty of

Education. SCIA asked its Secretary to follow up with the Faculty on two issues

of concern. One, to request clarification on the reference to a "field school" in

Mexico which had not been approved by SCIA; and two, to make the Faculty

aware of concerns regarding academic freedom in China, and that any MOU with

Harbin University should come to SCIA for review.

17.

Leadershi p

for the Americas Program

SCIA was briefed on a proposed relationship with Texas Christian University and

seven universities in Latin America that would link four students from each

university in an ongoing, electronic exchange of views and in an annual

conference featuring speakers of international stature. The program is funded by

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American Airlines. SFU's obligation is to host one of the annual conferences.

The Faculty of Arts has confirmed its commitment to manage SFU's

participation.

SCIA discussed the process and criteria for selecting the students who will

participate. The Chair of ISEC agreed to discuss the selection criteria with the

Faculty of Arts and to have ISEC oversee the selection of SFU students.

#.AjVO

John M. Munro

Chair, Senate Committee on International

Activities

L

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k

OR t

l*

7

Simon Fraser tjniversitv

Annex H to

SLIM'S Annual Report to Senat

Monday. February

14. 2000

?

Senate Committee on International Activities

?

Page

IL

Senate Committee on International Activities (SCIA)

Standing Committee (Reporting Category "B")

Members

fi

Conditions

Term

?

j

Expiry

DateJI

Name

Vice-President, Academic (or designate) ?

lichair

}

hock Munro

Senator-Faculty Mbr ?

I

Elected by and from Senate

2 years J May 31, 2000

Jon Driver

Senator-Faculty Mbr

Senator-Faculty Mbr ?

j

May 31, 2000

1

May 31, 2001

JJames Deigrande

Paul McFetridge

Senator (At-large) ?

][Elected

by and from Senate

12

years

?

May 31, 2000 ?

11

Joseph Peters

Student Senator (Undergraduate)

Elected by and from Senate ?

J[3ears May 31, 2000

Sameh Al-Natour *

Graduate Student (At-large)

Elected by Senate

?

112

years ?

May 31, 2000 ]1

Kevin Hewitt

Director, International Cooperation ?

1Secretary (non-voting)

Executive Director, International Relations

?

hEx-officio (non-voting)

* Elected by Senate October 4, 1999 to replace S.Y. To for balance term of office

I1oe Knockaert

Icolin Jones

The Committee shall meet at least once each semester and at the call of the Chair.

0

te:

Providing there are items of business, SCIA currently meets once a month.

Quorum shall be a simple majority of the voting members.

The Committee may strike sub-committees as required, such as the International Student Exchange Committee.

Terms of Reference

1.

To ensure that proposals for international activities meet the conditions and criteria established by the University Policy on International

Activities, and by the University Policy on Service Contracts.

2.

To ensure broad consultation prior to the final approval of any proposal covered by this policy for which human rights considerations are

likely to be a concern,

3.

To advise the Vice-President, Academic with respect to the desirability of entering into international activities that are proposed to be

undertaken by the University on the basis of a contract, contribution agreement, letter of understanding, or similar document.

4.

To maintain an overview and familiarity with international agreements that are entered into by academic or administrative units.

5. To report annually to Senate.

Procedures

1.

The Committee shall be provided with copies of international activity proposals and whatever other information is needed to administer this

Policy, based on procedures to be determined by the Committee.

2.

Every proposal shall indicate that it has the approval of the appropriate Chair or Director and Faculty Dean and shall contain a statement of

goals and objectives, a clear disclosure of the proposed activities and a budget.

3.

Proposals shall be accompanied by verification that the prospective parties to the activity have been given a copy of the University Policy on

0

emational Activities.

Proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary of SCIA for distribution to the Committee.

5. The Committee shall review each proposal to ensure compliance with the University Policy on International Activities and shall recommend

Monday, February 14, 2000

?

Senate Committee on International Activities

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Page:

J I"

Vice-President, Academic shall inform the appropriate body(ies) of the Committees recommendation.

6.

Where there is concern on the part of SCIA that any international activity which uses the University's name or resources may be in

non-compliance with this Policy, the Committee shall be entitled to receive further information and shall report to the Vice-President, Academic

7.regarding

Copies of

any

international

violations that

activity

may

contracts

be discovered.or

other

?

agreements shall be provided to the Office of International Cooperation where they shall be

0

kept on file and be open for inspection by members of the University community.

Return to Senate Committees.

Annex B to SCIA's Annual Report to Senate

SFU Exchange Opportunities - International and Exchange Student Services

ti\lI

(YI

L\I\'lF'

a

Europe ?

Czech Republic

Prague

Charles University

Arts (limited disciplines)

Denmark

Aarh)e

AarhM University

English, limited disciplines

•

England

Bath

University of Bath

of

Sciences

Arts, Sciences

Brighton'

University

?

Sussex

Leeds

University of Leeds

Various disciplines

Norwich'

The University of East Anglia

Arts, Biology

France

Grenoble'

Universitc Stendhal

French, Literature

Pad?

Foundation Nationale des

Sciences Politiques (ScPo)

French, Political Science, & History

Germany

Kiln*

Universitll zu Ki In

Arts, Social Sciences

SaarbrAchen'

UniversitN des Saarlandes

Arts, Social Sciences

Netherlands

Groningen

Hanzehogeschool Groningen

Business

Utrecht

Universiteit Utrecht

Arts, Psychology

Norway

Oslo

Norwegian School of Management

Business

Oslo

University of Oslo

Majority of disciplines

Scotland

Dundee'

The University of Dundee

Arts

Edinburgh

Heriot-Watt University

Economics, Business

Strathclyde

University of Strathclyde

Majority of disciplines

Sweden

Lund

Lund University

Majority of disciplines

Switzerland

Basel

Universität Basel

English, Linguisitics, Languages

Turkey

Istanbul

Koc University

Limited disciplines

Asia & ?

Australia

Adelaide

Flinders University

Majority of disciplines

Australia

Melbourne

Monash University

Majority of disciplines

Perth

Murdoch University

Majority of disciplines

Melbourne

Swinburne University of Technology

Various disciplines

China

Shanghai

East China Normal University

Chinese Language & Chinese Culture

Fiji

Suva

University of the South Pacific

Majority of disciplines

Hong Kong

Chinese University of Hong Kong'

Various disciplines

Hong Kong Baptist University

Majority of disciplines

•

Japan

Osaka'

Kansai Gaidai

Asian/Japanese Studies

Yokohama*

Meiji Gakuin Daigaku

Asian/Japanese Studies

Korea

Seoul

Yonsei University

Asian Studies, Business

Seoul'

Seoul National University

Various disciplines

Taejon'

Korea Advanced Institute of

Science & Technology (KAIST)

Engineering Science

Philippines

Manila

De La Salle University

Asian Studies, various disciplines

Singapore

National University of Singapore

Arts, Asian Studies, Engineering

Taiwan

Taipei'

National Taiwan Normal University

Chinese Language, various discipline?

Thailand

Bangkok

Thammasat University

Asian Studies, Economics

North ?

Canada

Montreal'

Universitç de Quebec t Montrcal

Majority of disciplines

America,

UniversitC de Montreal

Mathematics

& Latin

Ottawa

University of Ottawa

Majority of disciplines

America

Quebec'

Universitç Laval

Various disciplines, Business

USA

Albuquerque

University of New Mexico

Majority of disciplines

Bellingham

Western Washington University

Majority of disciplines

Boston'

Northeastern University

Arts, Sciences

Orono

University of Maine

Majority of disciplines

San Diego

San Diego State University

Business

Various

National Student Exchange (NSE)

All disciplines

87 public American universities

Argentina

Buenos Aires'

Universidad de Belgrano

Spanish, majority of disciplines

Chile

Santiago'

Pontifica Universidad Catolica

Various disciplines

Cuba

Havana'

Universidad de la Habana

Various disciplines

Ecuador

Quito'

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Spanish, majority of disciplines

Mexico

Guadalajara

Universidad de Guadalajara

Business

Mexico City'

Monterrey

InstitutoTecnoløgico AutØnoma (ITAM)

ITESM

(Six

campuses in Mexico)

Business, Social Sciences

Spanish, various disciplines

•

Puebla

Universidad de Las Americas (UDLA)

Business, Spanish

* denotes the exchange may require proficiency or some previous training in a foreign language

'denotes students must participate in the exchange for one academic year beginning in the Fall semester

check with LESS for availability; currently not available until possibly Spring 2001

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I•.i..m:.'

hil

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Annex .13 to SCIA's Annual Report to Senate

'3.

NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE (NSE)

Canadian Partners - Participating

Campuses

U.S. Member Campuses ?

Exchange Plan

S

U.S. Member Campuses ?

Exchange Plan

with Canada

with Canada

Towson University

B

Alabama State University

A/B

Universidad del Sagrado Corazon

A/B

Binghamton State University

B

University of Alabama

A/B

Boise State University

A

University of Alaska -

Bridgewater State College

A/B

Anchorage

A/B

California State University -

Fairbanks

A

Bakersfield

B

University of Central Florida

B

Dominguez Hills

B

University of Guam

A/B

Fresno

A/B

University of Hawaii at:

Hayward

A

Hilo

A/B

Northridge

A/B

Manoa

A/B

Cal State Univ.

of

Pennsylvania

A/B

University of Idaho

A/B

Central Washington University

A

University of Maine Fort Kent

A/B

Cleveland State University

B

University of Maryland, College Park

B

College of Charleston

B

University of Memphis

B

East Carolina University

B

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

B

East Central University

A/B

University of Montana

A/B

East

Stroundsburg University

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

A/B

of

Pennsylvania

A/B

University of New Orleans

A

East Tennesse State University

A/B

University of North Texas

A

Eastern Connecticut State Univ.

B

University of Northern Colorado

A/B

Eastern Oregon University

A/B

University of Puerto Rico,

Fort Hayes State University

B

Cayey

A/B

Hunter College,

Mayaguez

B

City University of New York

A/B

Rio Peidras

A/B

Idaho State University

A

University of Rhode Island

A/B

Illinois State University

B

University of South Carolina

B

Indiana Univ.

of

Pennsylvania

A

University of Southern Maine

A/B

Iowa State University

A/B

University of Tennessee at

Johnson State College

A/B

Chattanooga

A/B

Keene State College

B

University of Texas at El Paso

A/B

Louisiana State University

A/B

Univ. of the Virgin Islands at

Marshall University

B

St. Thomas

B

Michigan Technological University

B

University of Utah

A/B

Minnesota State University, Mankato

B

University of West Florida

B

Mississippi State University

B

University of Wisconsin -

Moorhead State University

A

Green Bay

B

Morehead State University

B

Platteville

B

North Carolina Central University

A

River Falls

B

Northern Arizona University

B

University of Wyoming

B

Northern State University

A/B

Utah State University

B

Oklahoma State University

B

Virginia Commonwealth University

B

Oregon State University

A/B

Virginia Tech

B

Sonoma State University

A/B

Wesleyan College (all female)

B

South Carolina State University

B

West Chester University of

Southwest Missouri State University

A/B

Pennsylvania

A/B

SUNY College at Buffalo

A/B

Western State College of Colorado

A

SUNY College

at

Plattsburgh

B

Western Washington University

A/B

SUNY College at Potsdam

A/B

Wichita State University

B

The College of New Jersey

A

S

A = tuition paid to the host university (in-State, domestic US$ tuition fees)

B = tuition paid to SFU