Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) are non-binding agreements that outline the terms of partnerships between organizations. MOUs between Indian and foreign universities aim to facilitate collaboration in technical education, research, and training. Key components of an effective MOU include the purpose, roles and responsibilities of each party, meetings and reporting requirements, duration, finances, termination procedures, and authorized signatures. International collaborations through MOUs can benefit universities by increasing educational standards, research opportunities, cultural exchange, and more. Well-structured MOUs are important for guiding successful long-term partnerships between Indian and foreign higher education institutions.

1. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN INDIAN AND FOREIGN
UNIVERSITIES
L ANAND
Ph.D (Nursing) Scholar,
Annamalai University
Introduction
All over the world, universities are experiencing and often themselves generating,
increasing pressures to internationalize their education. Indian universities have no
exception. As a result of globalization, nursing programmes had undergone various
changes and international collaboration is inevitable. The international collaborations
brought high quality research projects and adequate funding to developing countries in
exchange of knowledge and human resource. The success of any collaboration
depends on the written Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). MOU spells out
partnerships and facilitates various agreements.
India has entered into Educational Exchange Programmes (EEPs)/Memorandum
of Understandings (MoUs) or through Joint Statements with 51 countries viz Mongolia,
Armenia, Tanzania, Guyana, Israel, Australia, Myanmar, Hungary, Syria, Uzbekistan,
New Zealand, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Brazil, Afghanistan, Croatia, Ecuador,
Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, China, Portugal, France, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Oman, South
Africa, Norway, Chile, Kuwait, Botswana, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Canada, Indonesia,
Mozambique, Russia, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Yemen, Qatar, Tajikistan, Burundi,
Belarus, Republic of Korea, Germany, Estonia U.S.A., United Kingdom, Czech Republic
and Peru.
India also has educational cooperation activities with different international
organizations and multi-lateral bodies like UNESCO, Commonwealth of Learning, E-9.
BRICS, SAARC, India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA), East Asia Summit (EAS), Association
of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional
Cooperation (IOR-ARC), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), European Union (EU) etc.

2. What is Memorandum of Understanding?
A memorandum of understanding is a simply written agreement to the identify the
working relationship and guidelines between two parties/universities.MOU defines the
rights and responsibilities of each involved entity.
A memorandum of understanding is a tool to recognize and articulate
collaborations and partnership between two organization / parties / universities.
Documents called Memoranda of Understanding, Letters of Intent, or Heads of
Agreement are all instruments which are used to signify an intention to negotiate a
contract in the future. Memoranda of understanding are useful documents to "kick- start'
an agreement. They help lessen any discomfort that parties may feel where basic
parameters are not written down before a proper agreement is drafted. An MOU can
also help to make the arrangement clearer to the parties so as to speed up the process
of negotiation in relation to the agreement.
An MOU is not intended to be a legally binding document. If you want a legally
binding document then an MOU is not appropriate.
IMPORATNCE OF MOU
1. Sets better tone for participation.
2. Builds a stronger working relationship.
3. Sets up a structure for a partnership.
4. Clarifies how regulations will be interpreted.
5. Protects organizations rights and interest over time.
Objectives of MOU between Indian and foreign Universities (AICTE):
1. To facilitate collaboration and partnerships between Indian and Foreign
University / Institutions in the field of Technical education, Research and Training
2. To systematize the operation of Foreign Universities / Institutions providing
training and other educational services, in India leading to award of Degree,
Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and Post Diploma Level in technical education

3. on their own, under any mode of delivery system such as conventional / formal,
non-formal and distance mode.
3. To systematize the operation of Foreign Universities / Institutions providing
training and other educational services, in India leading to award of Degree,
Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and Post Diploma in technical education in
collaboration with an Indian educational Institution, under any mode of delivery
system such as conventional / formal, non-formal and distance mode.
4. To safeguard the interest of students’ community in India and ensure uniform
maintenance of Norms and Standards as prescribed by various Statutory Bodies.
5. To ensure accountability for all such educational activities by Foreign Universities
/ Institutions in India.
6. To safeguard against entry of non-accredited Universities / Institutions in the
Country of origin to impart technical education in India.
7. To safeguard the nation’s interest and take punitive measures, whenever
necessary, against the erring Institutions, on case-to-case basis.
Types of International collaborations which requires MOU:-
1. Student and faculty exchange program
2. Cultural exchange program
3. Visiting faculty
4. Sharing resources for achieving mutual goals
5. Development of standards of practice and quality assurance.
6. Competency validation and enhancement
7. Research projects
8. Funding for various programmes and research
9. Curriculum planning, revision ,implementation and evaluation.
10.Support for advanced courses.
11.Organizing workshop, conference etc
12.Implementation of various programs of apex bodies like WHO,UNESCO,ICN
13.Address transactional or global problem

4. Benefits of International collaboration
1. Students will learn how to offer “ Culturally competent care” by student exchange
program
2. Stops brain drain
3. Opportunities for marginally poor section to undergo education in foreign
universities
4. Sustainable growth and Economic viability of Indian Universities
5. Increases education standard and quality.
6. Increases employment opportunities
7. High quality research activities
8. Share and access technical skills
9. Sustain universities in global competition
10.Offers cost effective programs

Components of MOU :
In order to serve these purposes, the MOU needs to include several basic
components. These include the
INTRODUCTION / BACKGROUND: This information more fully describes the mission,
vision, and goals of each partner entering the MOU. • What are each organization’s
mission, vision, and/or goals?
PURPOSE: This section identifies the name of each partner entering into the
agreement and describes the purpose of the MOU. Why is this MOU being
established? Briefly state the reason for collaborative relationship of the parties
included in the MOU. • What is the official name of each organization?
SCOPE: Areas of cooperation, Legal boundaries and detail list of all activities and
functions should be written clearly.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This section states the role and responsibility of
each partner included in this MOU. It states how each organization will support the

5. relationship established by the MOU and what each will individually contribute to the
effort. The items in this section can be fairly specific and will likely relate to topics such
as leadership, communications, staff and volunteers, budget and finances, logos and
emblems, and overall accountability. • What roles or responsibilities will the partners
work on collectively (jointly) and how will they be accomplished? • What roles or duties
does each individual partner take full responsibility for in this partnership?
MEETINGS AND REPORTING: This section defines how and when the partners will
meet for purposes of ensuring the compliance of the MOU. It also includes specific
reporting agreements. • How many times will the partners meet during the duration of
the MOU? • What will be the format for these meetings (face‐to‐face, teleconference,
etc.)? • What are the reporting requirements of each partner (e.g., fiscal accountability,
progress of the partnership toward the stated goals/mission, impact of the program,
etc.)?
DURATION AND VALIDITY: This section describes when the MOU begins and ends.
• When will the MOU take effect? • When will the MOU expire?
FINANCE / FUNDING ; MOU should clearly state the funding principles, policies and
profit sharing policies etc.
LIABILITIES / RISKS : MOU should include the likely risks and liabilities covering both
the parties. Recovery of losses and loss sharing should be stated clearly.
TERMINATION OR AMENDMENTS: This section outlines how the MOU may be
terminated or amended. There may be instances when one of the cooperative partners
will need to amend or even terminate the relationship described by the MOU. Allow for
that smooth evolution by stating how that change can be completed. Typically this will
refer to time within which the other partner will need to be notified that changes are
necessary. It might be 60 days, 90 days, etc. • How will the MOU be terminated? • How
are amendments or changes to the MOU handled? • What is the time frame for
notification of termination or amendment?
DISPUTES AND CONFLICTS: Although MOU is not legally acceptable, Mechanism to
address any dispute or conflict arising out of implementation should be stated clearly.

6. AUTHORIZED SIGNATURES: An authorized individual from each organization will sign
and date the MOU. Each organization’s support of the agreement will be represented by
the signature of someone who serves in a leadership role for each partner. It can be a
committee chairperson or board president for other agencies involved in the MOU.
Conclusion:
Nursing education in era of globalization has gone cutting across boundaries.
Education system of one country has greater impact on health care delivery system of
other countries. Preparing a Nurse to fit the global needs is still a challenge.
International collaboration in nursing will help to address this challenge. A well prepared
MOU will certainly act as road map for smooth implementation of various cooperation
activities for mutual benefits.
Bibliography:
1. Jyoti S, Hothi B.S “Entry of Foreign Universities and Their Impact on the Indian
Education System” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research. 2011: Vol
4(1) ,163-165
2. Caston G (1996)“ The Management of International Cooperation In Universities”
Paris.UNESCO,59-77.
3. AICTE official website.