NMC, Japan university ink accord

The Northern Marianas College signed Friday an exchange agreement with Japan’s Daito Bunka University for a three-year collaboration that will enable undergraduate students and academic and administrative staff at both institutions to study for a period of up to one year at the other institution.

NMC president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart told Saipan Tribune that, based on the agreement, the total number of students exchanged in a given year will be two or less. As far as possible, the number of students exchanged shall be equal.

Hart disclosed that Daito Bunka University has a number of programs that NMC students can explore, specifically the university’s sports and athletics program, which is now open to NMC students.

“Daito Bunka University is one of the top universities in Japan especially in sports and athletics field where our students can avail. We have many students here on island excelling in sports and would like to pursue a PE-related degree. This is a great opportunity,” Hart told Saipan Tribune.

Based on the agreement, exchange students taking credit courses shall continue to pay tuition to their home institution during the period of the exchange. The host institution will not require tuition from exchange students. This means no added tuition will be assessed exchange students in both institutions, which will mean a big saving for local students, Hart said.

Exchange students are expected to begin studying at Daito Bunka University in April next year for the start of the university’s spring semester. There are three campuses that NMC students can select to take their courses, according to Hart.

Exchange students must meet the admission requirements of the host institution in order to be accepted for full-time study.

Undergraduate students and academic and administrative staff will have access to all educational and recreational, or athletic facilities at the host institution under the same conditions as domestic students. However, they shall observe the regulations of the host institution.

The host institution shall expeditiously provide the home institution with a transcript of each student’s courses and grades upon completion of the exchange program.

Additional areas of cooperation between the two institutions such as faculty and staff exchanges, joint research projects, or support for faculty shall be greatly encouraged.

The agreement has a provision that if a party wishes to discontinue the exchange, a six-month notice is required. The agreement was signed by Daito Bunka University president Masao Ota.