COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
WEIFANG UNIVERSITY
AND BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY
Party A:
Weifang University, Shandong, China
Address: 5147 East Dongfeng Street, Weifang, Shandong Province, 261061
Representative: President Shoulun Wang
Party B:
Bemidji State University of the United States of America
Address: 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
Representative: President Richard Hanson
In order to strengthen international cooperation and run the university more internationally, according to the
Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools, NOW
THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
I.
Program Name
Cooperation Agreement between Weifang University and Bemidji State University of
Bachelor Degree in Biology.
II.
Project Mission and Objectives
Project Mission: In cooperation between the two parties, Weifang University will introduce
the high quality education resources of Bemidji State University into its education programs
as described herein. The two parties will work together to create an outstanding international
program with the combination of the resources of two parties.
Project Objectives: The two parties will cooperate to deliver high quality degree programs to
Chinese students with focus on Biology on the basis of cooperation with Bemidji State
University.
III.
Cooperation Format
Weifang University will remain responsible for operating its degree programs, including all
instruction, necessary facilities and equipment and will incorporate Party B’s related courses
into its degree program(s) pursuant to this Agreement. The parties agree to jointly decide how
Party B’s courses will be offered and the program structure; instruction will occur on Party A’s
campus. Students enrolled in a program under this Agreement will study four years with Party
A. Upon successfully finishing all the required courses at Party A, students will receive a
bachelor’s degree and a diploma from Party A.
IV.
Student Recruitment
After being approved by the Chinese government, the recruitment for this program will be
integrated with the China National College/University Admission System. Chinese high
school graduates, who take the National Colleges/Universities Exam and passed the bench
mark set by this program, could be admitted to this program. The annual new students’ quota
for this program will be one hundred students with a total size of four hundred in four years.
No marketing or recruitment materials using the name “Bemidji State University” or
“Minnesota State Colleges and Universities” or its logos shall be used without express
approval by Bemidji State University in advance.
V.
Mutual Responsibilities
Both parties all agree to respect and obey all the laws and regulations of both countries, as
applicable. Both parties agreed to jointly design the program and deliver the program together
following any applicable requirements set by the regulating bodies of each party. The
responsibilities agreed to by both parties are set as following:
a)
Responsibilities of Party A:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
All costs and documents required for applying for appropriate program
approval from the Ministry of Education of China;
Consulting with Party B to design the program;
Providing all the required facilities and equipment, such as office,
classroom, library, activity venue, etc. for program operation at its campus;
Providing its students and, as applicable, Bemidji State University faculty
with dormitory and dining facilities;
Being responsible for student recruitment, registration, collection of tuition
and other administration of program;
Provide, at its own expense, translators for courses taught by Bemidji State
instructors and reimburse Bemidji State University for faculty instructional
costs in a timely manner, as agreed by the parties;
Following the agreed program structure, providing instructors to deliver the
required Party A courses for the program;
Assist Party B instructors to acquire the proper visa and residence
documents to be able to teach in China, as applicable;
Issuing diploma and bachelor degree to students who successfully finish
the program.
Party A shall be responsible for any travel costs, accommodations, and visa
related expenses for Party B from the joint programs account. The
expenses mentioned above will be established through negotiation on a
standard price.
b)
Responsibilities of Party B:
i.
ii.
iii.
VI.
Providing the required documents and assisting Party A to apply for the
government approval of the program in China;
Working with Party A to jointly design the program and providing related
curriculum and teaching plans for the program;
According to the teaching plan agreed by both parties, Party B is
responsible for sending qualified teachers to Party A to complete the
teaching tasks agreed by both parties. Partnering with Party A, supervising
the registration, delivery and evaluation of the program, including any
travel to China by faculty for providing in-person instruction;
Financial Terms
Party A is solely responsible for providing and maintaining all the teaching facilities at its
campus, including appropriate technology to accommodate videoconferencing instruction.
The tuition for courses offered in China under this Agreement is required to be approved by
the local price control bureau. Party A is responsible for maintaining accounting records and
is subject to auditing as requested by party B. Tuition collected will be used for compensation
of teaching costs of both parties; and the leftover fund will be used for education purposes and
continuing improvement of the program.
Party A will pay Party B teaching costs in accordance to the afore mentioned negotiated prices
4 weeks into the new semester. The payment shall be made in U.S. dollars to Party B by wire
transfer in a manner directed. If Party A fails to make full and timely payment for course
instruction, Party A must pay twice the standard teaching costs for not abiding by the
agreement. At the beginning of each semester, the parties shall establish the pay for each
course; payment shall be made in U.S. dollars to Bemidji State University by wire transfer in
a manner directed. Payment is due: Failure to make full and timely payments for course
instruction is grounds for immediate termination of this Agreement.
Bemidji State University has no financial obligations under the Agreement except as stated
herein or as agreed to by the parties in writing and incorporated by amending this Agreement
VII.
Program Management
All legal, operational and credentialing approvals shall be secured as required before Bemidji
State University faculty begin instruction under this Agreement. A committee will be
formed to supervise the operation of the program. There will be total of seven committee
members. Four of them will be appointed by Party A; and three will be appointed by Party B.
The chairman of the committee will be appointed by Party A. The committee members
should meet every semester to discuss related issues of the program.
The parties understand and agree that any change to the location or modality of the delivery of
instruction, or identify of institution awarding the degree or certification shall be required to
be agreed to and documented in writing as an amendment or addendum to this Agreement.
VIII.
Intellectual Property
MnSCU shall own all rights, title and interest in all of the materials conceived or created by
Bemidji State University or its employees or subcontractors, either individually or jointly with
others and which arise out of the performance of this contract, created and paid for under this
agreement.
IX.
Dispute Settlement
Both parties agreed to resolve any disputes through friendly discussions. Should any dispute
arise regarding the construction and implementation of this MOA, the parties shall promptly
confer to resolve such dispute. As a sign of mutual good faith, the parties expect to resolve all
disputes in the foregoing manner.
Amendment, Alteration and discharge of the agreements
1. It is anticipated by the parties that any details about the operation of the program not
described herein shall be determined by both parties and be described in writing in an
addendum or amendment to this Agreement.
X.
XI.
XII.
The parties understand that as a result of a change to government or other regulatory
body policy, this program may be terminated or could cause the parties to immediately
end the Agreement. Upon the termination of this Agreement under such circumstances,
both parties shall use their best efforts to permit all currently enrolled students to
complete the program semester or class.
Either party may terminate this Agreement by written notice submitted to the
designated representative of the other party six months prior to the intended
termination date.. Upon the termination of this Agreement, both parties agree to use
their best efforts to permit any currently enrolled students to complete their program
semester or class.
Liabilities for Breach of the Agreement Each party agrees that it will be
responsible for its own acts and the results thereof to the extent authorized by law and
shall not be responsible for the acts of the other party and the results thereof. The State
of Minnesota and Bemidji State University’s liability shall be governed by the
provisions of the Minnesota Tort Claims Act, Minnesota Statutes sections 3.732 and
3.736, et seq., and other applicable law.
Breach of this agreement is referred to non-execution of the provisions under the
agreements within a sixty days period after having been notified by the other party.
The party who receiving damages has the rights to ask for compensation from another
party who breaching the contract.
XIII.
Term of this agreement
This agreement shall not be effective until Party A has received appropriate program
from the Ministry of Education of China. This agreement is written in both Chinese
and English with four copies each. The Chinese and English versions have the same
legal effect. This agreement will become effective from the date of the bilateral
official signature and the permission of the Chinese education administration. The
term of validity is eight years.
IN WITNESS WHEEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective
authorized signatories intending to be bound thereby.
:
Party A (stamp)
Party B (stamp)
Weifang University
Bemidji State University
Representative (signature):
Representative (signature):
王守伦
____________________
_______________________
Name:____________________
Title: ___________________
Date:
Date:
_________________