University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific
Encyclopedia
University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) is a voluntary regional association of government, non-government and/or university representatives of the higher education
sector established in 1993 to enhance cooperation and exchange of people and expertise through increased mobility of higher education students and staff. UMAP has been endorsed by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
and member countries are implementing UMAP projects.
proposed and sponsored two conferences to promote the discussion on educational cooperation in Asia and the Pacific, inviting representatives of institutes of higher education
from Hong Kong
, Japan
, Korea
and Taiwan
. The first meeting was held in April 1991 in Hong Kong
and the second meeting was held in September 1991 in Canberra
. During the second meeting, representatives of 18 countries and territories in the region agreed to establish themselves as a Reference Group, and this was termed the First Reference Group Meeting. Additional annual meetings were held between 1992 and 1996, at Seoul
, Taipei
, Osaka
and Auckland
. In the fourth meeting, participants called on Member governments to set up a central scholarship fund to encourage mobility in the region and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
started publicly supporting UMAP. In the last meeting held in 1996, the location of UMAP International Secretariat was discussed and decided to establish in Japan
. In 2006, it was decided that the new location for the International Secretariat would change to Thailand
.
region. Members can be represented by government, department or minister of education, individual university or university umbrella organization. However, individual persons are not eligible to become members.
Annual budget is prepared in US dollars and UMAP Members need to make a contribution according to the budget. Members can make additional voluntary contribution. These contributions can be funding, facilities or resources.
and it is for undergraduate and postgraduate students in all disciplines to undertake a minimum of one semester or maximum of two semesters towards their degree in universities overseas, with credit transfer
managed by UMAP and cooperating institutions.
will be made under UMAP credit transfer program. Exchange funding agreements are between the host and home universities. Institution-to-institution agreements covers the maintenance of scholarship benefits, eligibility for government funding assistance and health cover costs.
For example, Australian universities receive A$5,000 per student that applies to UMAP exchange program in order to subsidies the cost of the student’s participation. In addition, universities that receive funding are required to complete a report in order to receive funding from their government. This will vary depending on the agreement between home and host universities, countries/territories.
(UCTS) to facilitate greater student mobility in the region by providing a framework for establishing credit transfer arrangements. The UCTS objective is to ensure effective credit transfer
for students undertaking exchange program in universities from UMAP countries/territories.
(European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a European Union student exchange program. UMAP and the Erasmus Programme
are regional associations and similarities can be found between these two programs, especially in the credit transfer
and tuition fee waiver scheme where UMAP adopted a similar approach to facilitate student mobility.
There are some differences between these programs.
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
sector established in 1993 to enhance cooperation and exchange of people and expertise through increased mobility of higher education students and staff. UMAP has been endorsed by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region...
and member countries are implementing UMAP projects.
History
In 1991 the movement of University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) was initiated when Australian Vice-Chancellors' CommitteeAustralian Vice-Chancellors' Committee
Universities Australia is an organisation founded in Sydney in May 1920, which attempts to advance higher education through voluntary, cooperative and coordinated action. After being based for a time in both Sydney and Melbourne, its offices relocated to Canberra in 1966...
proposed and sponsored two conferences to promote the discussion on educational cooperation in Asia and the Pacific, inviting representatives of institutes of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. The first meeting was held in April 1991 in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and the second meeting was held in September 1991 in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. During the second meeting, representatives of 18 countries and territories in the region agreed to establish themselves as a Reference Group, and this was termed the First Reference Group Meeting. Additional annual meetings were held between 1992 and 1996, at Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
and Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. In the fourth meeting, participants called on Member governments to set up a central scholarship fund to encourage mobility in the region and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region...
started publicly supporting UMAP. In the last meeting held in 1996, the location of UMAP International Secretariat was discussed and decided to establish in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. In 2006, it was decided that the new location for the International Secretariat would change to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
Aims
"UMAP aims to achieve enhanced international understanding through increased mobility of university students and staff".UMAP Members
Membership is open to countries/territories in the Asia-PacificAsia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
region. Members can be represented by government, department or minister of education, individual university or university umbrella organization. However, individual persons are not eligible to become members.
- Eligible Countries / Territories
- Full Member Countries / Territories
- UMAP participating Universities
Governance and Budget
The governing authority is UMAP Board. The board is composed by representatives from each of UMAP Full Members. Each of the Full Members has a voting right, however Secretary General of the Board cannot vote.Annual budget is prepared in US dollars and UMAP Members need to make a contribution according to the budget. Members can make additional voluntary contribution. These contributions can be funding, facilities or resources.
Exchange
UMAP exchange program is a two-way student exchangeStudent Exchange
Student Exchange is a 1987 television film directed by Mollie Miller.-Plot:Carole and Neil, two nerdy teenagers, get only perfect grades but have no social skills. When Carole learns that two foreign exchange students from France and Italy have gone to another school, they grab their chance and...
and it is for undergraduate and postgraduate students in all disciplines to undertake a minimum of one semester or maximum of two semesters towards their degree in universities overseas, with credit transfer
Credit transfer
Credit transfer can refer to:* The transfer of money from one account to another, also called a wire transfer* The procedure of granting credit to a student for studies completed at another school, also called transfer credit or advanced standing....
managed by UMAP and cooperating institutions.
Home Universities Responsibilities
- Selection of students and staff
- Approval of study program, including any necessary language training
- Determine and allocate financial support to participating students and staff
- Provide preparatory courses prior to the departure
- Recognize work completed overseas for credit towards their degree
Host Universities Responsibilities
- Waive tuition fees to participating student and staff
- Provide the approved and agreed study program
- Evaluate the performance of participants and report to Home Universities
- Provide appropriate counseling and support services
- Assist students and staff with accommodation
- Ensure that appropriate health cover is arranged
Exchange Agreements and Funding
UMAP does not offer individual exchanges, however UMAP countries/territories fund national UMAP programs. Under the agreement between countries/territories, students’ fees are waived and credit transferCredit transfer
Credit transfer can refer to:* The transfer of money from one account to another, also called a wire transfer* The procedure of granting credit to a student for studies completed at another school, also called transfer credit or advanced standing....
will be made under UMAP credit transfer program. Exchange funding agreements are between the host and home universities. Institution-to-institution agreements covers the maintenance of scholarship benefits, eligibility for government funding assistance and health cover costs.
For example, Australian universities receive A$5,000 per student that applies to UMAP exchange program in order to subsidies the cost of the student’s participation. In addition, universities that receive funding are required to complete a report in order to receive funding from their government. This will vary depending on the agreement between home and host universities, countries/territories.
UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme (UCTS)
UMAP has developed a pilot UMAP Credit Transfer SchemeUMAP Credit Transfer Scheme
University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific has developed a pilot UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme to facilitate greater student mobility in the region by providing a framework for establishing credit transfer arrangements...
(UCTS) to facilitate greater student mobility in the region by providing a framework for establishing credit transfer arrangements. The UCTS objective is to ensure effective credit transfer
Credit transfer
Credit transfer can refer to:* The transfer of money from one account to another, also called a wire transfer* The procedure of granting credit to a student for studies completed at another school, also called transfer credit or advanced standing....
for students undertaking exchange program in universities from UMAP countries/territories.
Scholarships
During 2002-2005 UMAP provided scholarships for student in members’ countries/territories universities. However, the program is temporarily closed until further notice.Mobility Programs
- Student Connection Online
- Language and Culture Program
- Academic and Research Mobility Forum
- Vice President Forum (2009)
- Alumni Forum
Similar program
The Erasmus ProgrammeErasmus Programme
The Erasmus Programme , a.k.a. Erasmus Project is a European Union student exchange programme established in 1987...
(European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is a European Union student exchange program. UMAP and the Erasmus Programme
Erasmus Programme
The Erasmus Programme , a.k.a. Erasmus Project is a European Union student exchange programme established in 1987...
are regional associations and similarities can be found between these two programs, especially in the credit transfer
Credit transfer
Credit transfer can refer to:* The transfer of money from one account to another, also called a wire transfer* The procedure of granting credit to a student for studies completed at another school, also called transfer credit or advanced standing....
and tuition fee waiver scheme where UMAP adopted a similar approach to facilitate student mobility.
There are some differences between these programs.
| UMAP | Erasmus | |
|---|---|---|
| Study period | One semester to one year | Three months to one year |
| Participants | UMAP member/Participating universities | Citizen of one of the countries in the Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 |
External links
- UMAP, Department of Education, Science and Training (Australia)