The International Institute is gathering information on collaborative research and exchange agreements made between UCLA and foreign institutions, and simplifying the process of creating new ones. Investigators and sponsors are urged to forward existing international agreements.

SITTING ON an old MOU? Want to build bridges with foreign institutions of higher learning?

Faculty members and departments on every corner of the UCLA campus partner with foreign entities to innovate and to teach more effectively. Sometimes they put the arrangements on paper in the form of memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

The UCLA International Institute, which is jointly responsible for vetting such agreements, has launched a website that allows the public to see the range of existing agreements. With a Bruin Online password, members of the UCLA community can review agreements, download the forms required to propose new ones, and even initiate that process. The policy that governs the agreements is also available from the site.

In a small number of international agreements, UCLA makes specific commitments of resources. In such cases it is essential for campus representatives to consult with those whom Chancellor Gene Block has designated to review the related academic, financial, and legal issues: the Vice Provost for International Studies and the Vice Provost for Intellectual Property and Industry Relations. Inquiries should be directed to Assistant Provost David Unruh at dunruh@international.ucla.edu.

In the interests of expanding the online archive and coordinating UCLA's international affiliations, the Institute also asks those who now hold MOUs or similar agreements to forward them to Assistant Provost Unruh. He has helped to develop the new online system and will serve as its initial administrative director.

For more information about international agreements at UCLA, visit http://mou.international.ucla.edu/index.aspx