INTERNATIONAL  EDUCATION  PARTNERSHIPS

GOAL AND SERVICES:  EPI helps foreign universities & colleges establish educational links with American colleges and universities.   We serve essentially as a guide to the American academic world in terms of (1) locating the appropriate institutional partner, (2) presenting the foreign institution to the American institution,  and (3) facilitating  understanding and agreement between diverse institutions with very different  cultural assumptions, expectations, needs and operating systems.   EPI’s services greatly accelerate the process of making contact with and reaching an agreement with an American institution.  EPI can also act as an on-going consultant and representative in the United States for the foreign institution. 

EPI’s services can be utilized for only one or all of the phases listed below.  This means that EPI might complete only “Phase One” below, and the foreign institution would continue on its own after that through the following phases, or EPI could help with the subsequent phases, as requested.

FOUR PHASES:

1)         PHASE ONE:   Request, research, proposal

            A)        Foreign university completes EPI survey to define type of linkage(s)

and American institutions wanted

B)                Profile of foreign university developed, including key decision-

makers, history, academic strengths, facilities and resources, any existing agreements with other foreign and American universities, etc.

C)                Development of linkage proposal oriented towards American academic expectations and culture.

D)                Identification of 10 – 15 American institutions that might be a good match.  Comparable institutions, previous

E)                 Orientation to  American academic culture in preparation for the following phases.

II         PHASE TWO:  Initial Contact

A)                Research to identify key decision-makers at selected institutions.

B)                Phone contact to selected institutions to identify key decision-makers.

C)                Presentation of proposal to American institution, with clear timeline for responding.

D)                Possible visit to campus of American institution.

E)                 Arrangement for one side to visit other side’s campus, with or without EPI.

III        PHASE THREE:  Negotiations

A)                Participation in negotiations and advising foreign university.

B)                Help in preparing English-language version of the contract and reviewing for accuracy and language. 

IV        PHASE FOUR:  Implementation of final agreement.