UAMP Project

I. Background of the Program

The University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) was established in 1993 as an association formed by both official and unofficial higher education organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. Its primary objective is to enhance academic and research collaboration between universities in the region and domestic institutions through "student exchange" and "credit recognition." UMAP also promotes the exchange of students and faculty among universities, facilitating bilateral and multilateral agreements to foster mutual understanding of cultural, economic, and social systems across different countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific.

The International Secretariat serves as the central hub for communication and collaboration among all UMAP members, managing daily operations and implementing exchange programs in accordance with the resolutions of the UMAP Board and member countries. From 2000 to 2005, the International Secretariat was based in Japan, and from 2006 to 2010, it was relocated to Thailand. In 2005, Taiwan was elected as the Chair of UMAP and successfully secured the hosting of the International Secretariat from 2011 to 2015. The Taiwan National Secretariat has been in operation since 1994, initially managed by National Taiwan University. Subsequently, in 2008 and 2010, it was managed by National Cheng Kung University and National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, respectively. Currently, the Ministry of Education allocates a budget to entrust Fu Jen Catholic University with managing both the UMAP International Secretariat and the National Secretariat.

II. Program Objectives

The main objectives of this program include understanding the strengths of higher education and international exchange in various Asia-Pacific countries, strengthening friendships and connections among UMAP member countries and institutions, and enhancing academic research collaboration. Additionally, the program aims to bolster the National Secretariats of member countries, encouraging more higher education institutions and university consortia to join as participating institutions. This facilitates bilateral and multilateral agreements, promoting greater understanding of social, economic, cultural, and educational systems across different countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific.

Through existing UMAP initiatives—such as the UMAP Student Connection Online (USCO), the UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme, and the UMAP Joint Study Program & Research Net—the program seeks to enhance interaction and exchange among participating institutions in member countries. By facilitating student exchanges and the transfer of course credits between participating institutions, the program aims to enhance the international competitiveness of students in the Asia-Pacific region. The Joint Study Program is designed to increase academic research collaboration among participating institutions, promote exchanges between faculty and students, elevate the quality of higher education in the Asia-Pacific, and foster a stronger sense of international awareness.

III. Membership Mechanism
1. Member Countries:

UMAP membership is organized on a country/region basis and is divided into full members and observer members. Each member country/region is required to establish a National Secretariat as the primary contact point.

	Full Member Countries (Total of 17 Countries/Regions)			Observer Member Countries (Total of 18 Countries/Regions)
Membership Status	Countries, regions, or administrative areas that have joined UMAP and paid the annual membership fee.			All UMAP countries, regions, or administrative areas that meet the membership eligibility criteria and are willing to participate but have not yet paid the annual membership fee.
Membership Right	Eligible to participate in the UMAP Committee & Board Meeting and take part in exchange programs.			Eligible to attend the UMAP Committee & Board Meeting as an observer, but not permitted to participate in exchange programs.
Member Countries in 2011	Mongolia(蒙古) Brunei(汶萊) Fiji(斐濟) Samoa (薩摩亞) Bangladesh(孟加拉國) Macau(澳門) Vietnam(越南) Hong Kong(香港) Malaysia(馬來西亞) Philippines(菲律賓) Thailand(泰國) India(印度) Mexico(墨西哥) Taiwan(台灣) Australia(澳洲) Japan(日本)  Cambodia(柬埔寨)			Russia(俄羅斯) Papua New Guinea(巴布亞新幾內亞) Reunion Island(法屬留尼旺島) Timar-Leste(東帝汶民主共和國) Ecuador(厄瓜多) Guam(關島) Myanmar(緬甸) Peru(秘魯) Chile(智利) Indonesia(印度尼西亞) New Zealand(紐西蘭) Singapore(新加坡) Rep. of Korea(韓國) Canada(加拿大) USA(美國) People's Rep. of China(中國)  Laos(寮國)

2. Member Institutions:

Government higher education departments, universities recognized by national higher education authorities and holding representative status in higher education, as well as university systems or consortia, are eligible to join as participating institutions. Individual persons are not eligible for membership. All public and private higher education institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education of the respective country can participate in the UMAP exchange program after signing an agreement with the International Secretariat. Since Fu Jen Catholic University took over the National Secretariat in 2011, the number of international participating institutions has reached 472. Meanwhile, the number of participating institutions in Taiwan has increased from 70 in January 2010 to 113 by December 2012.

IV. UMPA Board and Other Activities

The UMAP Board consists of representatives from all full member countries and the Secretary General, with the authority to decide on all matters related to the organization's development and operations. Its primary responsibilities include: establishing UMAP's objectives; selecting the International Secretariat, which serves a five-year term, and the UMAP Chair Country, which serves a two-year term, from among full members; reviewing and approving strategic plans and annual budgets; overseeing the operations of the International Secretariat; amending the organization's constitution; and establishing special committees as appropriate.

In accordance with the UMAP Constitution, the UMAP Board convenes twice a year, bringing together higher education representatives from member countries (or regions) for face-to-face discussions aimed at overcoming administrative and practical barriers to international exchange. The first UMAP Board Meeting of 2012 was successfully held on March 28-29 in Manila, Philippines, while the second Committee and Board Meeting is scheduled to take place on October 24-25 at Fu Jen Catholic University. Currently, the UMAP Board oversees nine committees: (1) Committee on UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme (UCTS), (2) Committee on Promotion and Marketing Strategy, (3) Committee on Chair Election and International Secretariat, (4) Working Committee for UMAP Vice Presidents Forum-Cooperation Circle (UVPF-CC), (5) UMAP Vice Presidents Forum Coordination Committee, (6) Committee on Model & Role of Member Secretariat, (7) Committee on Finance & Audit, (8) Committee on Strategic Planning, and (9) Alumni Committee.

Additionally, UMAP hosts an international conference every two years, along with other ad-hoc workshops. To enhance its international visibility, the UMAP International Secretariat regularly sends representatives to participate in international higher education conferences and exhibitions, thereby promoting its initiatives and connecting with UMAP member institutions. This year, the Secretariat attended the 2012 Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) Conference & Exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 4-7. UMAP Executive Director Kento Takaya delivered a speech at the APAIE conference, introducing and promoting UMAP to attendees. Numerous institutions visited the UMAP booth to express interest in the UMAP student exchange program, resulting in discussions with 22 institutions and yielding significant outcomes. On October 23 this year, an international academic conference will also be held at Fu Jen Catholic University, with the tentative theme "Cross-Cultural Exchange in Global Education." It is hoped that this event can be co-hosted with the Board Meeting to amplify its impact.

V. UMPA Student Connection Online (USCO)

To facilitate more effective credit transfers for students across different educational systems and to increase the frequency of student exchanges, participating institutions in the UMAP Student Connection Online (USCO) program are required to sign a Pledge Agreement with the International Secretariat. This agreement confirms the obligations and principles of the exchange, requiring each institution to provide at least 2 and up to 5 tuition-free exchange slots per academic year. Additionally, participating institutions must recognize the UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme (UCTS). Students can apply through the "Standard UMAP Application Form & UCTS" on the USCO website, ensuring smooth credit transfers between the host and home institutions.

Relevant documents and information can be found on the official website: http://www.umap.org/

1. The UMAP student exchange program primarily consists of the following three types. Applicants must obtain an account and password from the program coordinator at their institution and then register online and contact the host institution through the USCO website.

Program A－ [UME]	Program B－[UBE]	Program C－[USC]
UMAP Multilateral Student Exchange Program	UMAP Bilateral Student Exchange Program	UMAP Student Exchange on Special Courses
Participating institutions must provide at least 2 tuition-free slots. Provide special conditions such as accommodation. Implement the credit transfer system.	An exchange student program between two member countries (participation in Program A is required first). Tuition waivers are determined based on the agreement signed between the two institutions. Implement the credit transfer system.	Offer short-term programs, such as winter or summer courses, specifically designed for cultural, language, or regional studies. Tuition waivers and credit recognition are not mandatory. In 2012, the Super Short-term Program was implemented, lasting from one to four weeks. Students admitted to scholarship-eligible institutions can apply for a USD 800 scholarship from UMAP (up to ten students per institution).

Course information related to the exchange program can be found on the USCO website: http://umap.org/usco/

2. 2012-2014 Super Short-term Student Exchange Program

(1) Selection of Scholarship-Eligible Institutions

The UMAP Board selects ten scholarship-eligible institutions for the Super Short-term Program based on proposals submitted by each institution (which must be reviewed by the International Secretariat in advance) during the Board Meeting. Each student enrolled in a super short-term program at a scholarship-eligible institution can apply for a USD 800 scholarship to cover travel or accommodation expenses, with a maximum of ten students per institution receiving the award.

(2) Application Process

Students must obtain an account and password to log into the USCO website for registration. The home institution is responsible for contacting the host institution to provide the list of applying students and submitting the required review materials.

(3) Program Requirements

Super short-term programs must offer at least 2 UCTS credits, with a student workload of approximately 50-60 hours. This includes classroom instruction hours, assignments, study time, field trips, lectures or seminars, assessments, and other related activities.

(4) Scholarship Disbursement

After confirming student enrollment, the UMAP International Secretariat will transfer the super short-term scholarship funds to the applying institution. The host institution will then distribute the funds to eligible students and send a receipt of acknowledgment via fax or email.

(5) Scholarship-Eligible Institutions for 2012

The ten scholarship-eligible institutions for the 2012 UMAP Super Short-term Exchange Program are listed as follows:

Countries			Scholarship-Eligible Institutions					Student Application Deadline		Program Duration
Japan		1	Niigata University: Lessons from Contemporary Japan					2/15-4/15 (Full)		8/20-8/31
Brunei		2	Universiti Brunei Darussalam							6/1-6/30
Mongolia		3	National University of Mongolia (a) Mongolian Language and Culture (b) Archaeology and anthropology (c) Mongolia's Mining Economy					6/1		(a) 7/1-7/21 (b) 7/9-8/7 (c) 7/19-8/5
Vietnam		4	Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU)					5/15-6/30		7/15-8/15
Philippines		5	Miriam College							6/18-6/29
		6	Lyceum of the Philippine University-Batangas							Flexible Terms
Thailand		7	Bangkok University: "Broadcast Production Techniques"					8/1-8/31		10/24-11/14
		8	Payap University: (a) Intensive Thai Program (b) Thai&South East Asian Studies							(a) 4 weeks for flexible terms (June 2012 - May 2013) (b) 3-6 weeks flexible Module       1. 6/9-6/30 Module       2. 6/30-7/21
Taiwan		9	慈濟技術學院: Transcultural Service-Learning Program							August (Flexible Terms)
		10	崑山科技大學 Renewable Energy Application Program					5/31		7/1-7/31

3. UCTS Credit Transfer Formula

Simplified Example:
(Country A, Institution A)

Therefore, 0.52 credits at University A in Country A = 1 ECTS credit = 2 points at University B in Country B.

Approximately, 1 credit at University A in Country A ≒ 4 points at University B in Country B.

At the UMAP Board Meeting in March this year, Dr. Hotta proposed a new credit transfer scheme aiming for a unified standard of 1 credit = 1 ECTS credit. This proposal is expected to be reviewed and decided upon during the second board meeting in October.

VI. Contact Information for the UMAP International Secretariat and National Secretariats

More information about UMAP
UMAP official website :https://umap.org

UMAP International Secretariat :
天主教輔仁大學 (Fu Jen Catholic University)
Address : 24205 新北市新莊區中正路510號(耕莘樓)
Contact : (02)2905-6358
E-mail : umaptaiwan@gmail.com
Website : https://www.oie.fju.edu.tw/teachingServices.jsp
            
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Emial：oia@stust.edu.tw