Constitution

of Jiangsu-Macao-Portuguese Speaking Countries Universities Network (JMPUN)

Overview

1. Jiangsu-Macao-Portuguese Speaking Countries Universities Network, JMPUN for short, has been launched by some universities from Jiangsu Province (China),   Macao (China) and Portuguese-speaking countries with the aim of promoting communication, cooperation and win-win development.

2. JMPUN is a non-profit and non-corporation international organization of higher learning formed voluntarily to explore more opportunities of international cooperation, promote the exchange of personnel, share and complement resources and upgrade the overall innovative capabilities of the universities concerned.

3. Following the principles of sharing, joint consultation and joint construction, JMPUN seeks to promote the communication, mutual understanding and in-depth cooperation among the universities from Jiangsu, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Organizations

4. JMPUN consists of many universities from Jiangsu province, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries (refer to the Appendix for the list of the universities). The other universities from the three regions are welcome to join JMPUN for cooperation and academic communication.

5. The board of directors, the organ of the highest authority of JMPUN, is made up of the delegates from member universities, with each university appointing one delegate, usually the president, serving a 4-year term. The board is comprised of one chairman, 6 vice-chairmen (The three regions of Jiangsu, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries appoint 2 vice-chairmen each.) and many directors. The board makes it a rule to hold at least one meeting every year, yet the chairman has the right to convene a meeting at any time when necessary.

6. The chief responsibility of the board is to:

[6.1] formulate and revise the Constitution of JMPUN and all the regulations concerned

[6.2] examine and approve annual work plans of JMPUN

[6.3] examine and approve the entry and exit of members

[6.4] lead subordinate organizations

[6.5] promote the international communication and cooperation among members

[6.6] appoint the members of the executive committee

[6.7] make key decisions for JMPUN

7. Under the board of directors is established the executive committee (the committee for short). The committee is comprised of one chief director (served by the representative from the university of the board chairman), 6 deputy directors (The three regions of Jiangsu, Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries appoint 2 deputy directors each.) and dozens of members. With their membership lasting 4 years each term, the committee members are appointed by member universities.

8. Under the committee is established a secretariat which handles day-to-day operations under the leadership of the board and the direction of the committee. The secretariat is located in the university of the committee chief director. The secretariat, with one secretary general and many staff members, is composed of the relevant personnel from member universities.

9. The chief responsibility of the committee is to

[9.1] implement the work plans of JMPUN and handle day-to-day operations

[9.2] work out the conference procedures for the board of directors

[9.3] draft annual work reports for JMPUN

[9.4] submit the proposals concerning the revision of the Constitution and regulations of JMPUN

[9.5] coordinate the communication among member universities

[9.6] handle the work assigned by the board

Scope and Manner of Cooperation

10. JMPUN is expected to explore, form and carry forward the cooperation in the fields of common interest including the cultivation of professionals, scientific research and disciplinary development, cultural communication, the application of research outcomes and social service, the development of teachers and the sharing and co-construction of resources. The work concerned is composed of yet not limited to:

[10.1] carrying out communication among students, offering international courses with English as the medium of instruction and holding short-term and summer programs featuring the mutual recognition of credits

[10.2] providing learning opportunities and internship for the students of member universities

[10.3] carrying out communication among teachers to boost academic exchange and cooperation

[10.4] conducting cooperative research and forming partnership in education, research and the industries concerned

11. JMPUN encourages member universities to explore the ways of communication, yet discourages discriminatory or excluding behaviors targeting any member.

12. JMPUN members, with the authorization of the board of directors, can form cooperation with the institutions outside or seek governmental and social support on behalf of JMPUN.

Rights and Obligations

13. JMPUN members have the right to

[11.1] monitor, raise questions and submit proposals about the work of JMPUN

[11.2] engage in every event and regular work of JMPUN

[11.3] exit JMPUN

[11.4] enjoy other benefits in accordance with the Constitution of JMPUN

14. JMPUN members are under the obligation to

[14.1] abide by the Constitution and safeguard the legal rights of JMPUN

[14.2] implement the resolutions and decisions of the board of directors

[14.3] pay membership fees

[14.4] take the authorization of the board to hold, as the host or a cooperator, annual assemblies of member universities, conferences for the board of directors and,      within the framework of JMPUN, other activities of education, academic research or cultural communication

[14.5] cooperate with JMPUN to ensure the smooth operation of work

15. Other institutions of higher learning from Jiangsu, Macao or Portuguese-speaking countries (Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde,  Equatorial Guinea and East Timor) are welcome to join JMPUN if they accept the Constitution and agree to fulfill the obligations required.

16. JMPUN members, following the Constitution of JMPUN, are allowed to form bilateral or multilateral cooperation with the institutions outside.

17. The university applying for the entry into JMPUN may seek the recommendation of a member university or submit the application straight to the secretariat which will transfer the application to the board for voting. The candidate university will gain the membership by the 2/3 majority vote.

18. The behaviors of a member in violation of the Constitution or falling short of relevant obligations will be examined by the secretariat and appraised by the committee. The membership will be revoked by the 2/3 majority vote.

19. The resolution of membership revocation will take effect on January 1st in the subsequent year. The fees paid prior to the revocation will not be returned.

20. The member university choosing to exist JMPUN should submit the written application 6 months in advance. The fees paid by the member in the year of the application will not be returned.

Finances

21. The finances of JMPUN are chiefly sourced from the annual fees paid voluntarily by members and the special-project development fund provided by the department of higher education under the Government of Jiangsu Province. The universities from Jiangsu and Macao are expected to pay their annual membership fees on time and the sum to be paid is decided by the members through consultation. The universities from other countries are allowed to pay their membership fees voluntarily in the initial stage.

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22. The utilization and management of JMPUN fund, to be used within the confines of JMPUN, should be in keeping with the relevant rules and regulations of China (including Macao) and Portuguese-speaking countries. The fund is kept by the secretariat which entrusts professional agencies or departments with fund management and makes expenditures public to JMPUN members on the regular basis.

Revision of the Constitution

23. The amendments to the issues not covered and the revision of the regulations in question will be initially dealt with by the committee, submitted to the board afterwards for examination and take effect after approval.

Dissolution

24. JMPUN can be dissolved if more than 2/3 members submit written proposals for the dissolution. Both the board and the committee will be given three extended months of life so that remaining financial, material and personnel matters can be properly handled. During the period of extension, the benefits previously offered to secretariat staff will remain unaffected.