Partnerships and MOUs

Global partnerships are an integral part of a modern university.

As your relationship with Chinese institutions progresses, your Chinese partners will often ask for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). An MOU is a non-binding statement of intent between UMD and an international institution. MOUs come in many shapes and sizes, but typically a Chinese institution will first request a “framework agreement.” The purpose of a framework agreement is to lay out the broad areas and mechanisms for cooperation. As cooperation  deepens, a more focused MOU is required to govern more specific programs. 

The University of Maryland has very specific guidelines on how MOUs should be drafted and approved.  All international MOUs require the formal approval from the Office of International Affairs, and MOUs with Chinese institutions will require Chinese translations done by our office of China Affairs. Learn more about this process.(link is external)

Please contact Joe Scholten, associate director of Office of International Affairs and Nathaniel Ahrens, director of China Affairs, on China-related MOUs.

For an up-to-date list of our current MOUs, login at this link: https://login.umd.edu/cas/login?service=http%3A%2F%2Flamp.international.umd.edu%2Fagreements%2Fauthenticate.