Join the Network
Partnership in the Network is open to universities, research institutions, and academic organizations from Austria and from countries within the geographical scope of the Network: East Asia, South Asia and the Central Asia – Caucasus region
Prospective partners shall submit an application outlining their institution's research and academic activities focusing on international collaboration, stating objectives for collaboration within the Network, and a commitment to Article I of our charter. A letter of recommendation from a current partner or regional coordinator in support of an application for partnership is welcome.
Partnership is subject to approval by the Network's Board after soliciting comments from the representatives to the General Assembly. Partnership is finalized by signing a ‘Declaration of Collaboration’ (DoC) between the partner’s legal representative and the Network President.
Partnership is defined per calendar year, starting from the date of approval by the Board. Partnership is contingent on payment of annual fees as proposed by the Board and accepted by the General Assembly. Fees can be adjusted for partners from the OECD DAC list of ODA recipient countries.
New members, whose membership documents are complete, will officially be admitted, after formal consideration and on the proposal of the board, by the general assembly.
The decision must be an ordinary resolution and be taken within a reasonable period of time. It is agreed that remain silent implies consent.
Every new member institutions will be introduced by the short Power Point Presentation which was sent by the representative of the respective institution.
Africa-UniNet was established in order to create a long-term, stable basis for cooperation between Austrian and African universities and research institutions. It intends to promote new contacts and deepen scientific cooperation. By joining the network you agree that your institution commits itself to the adherence of the Africa-UniNet statutes and the implementation of the network strategy.
During the general assembly, all member institutions will decide on a work programme. It will include funding opportunities for network activities. Activities could include:
- Exchange visits of professors and short-term research visits of scientists at member institutions
- Further education measures (courses, workshops, seminars) for participating target groups
- Conferences
- Alumni activities
- Joint project applications (e. g. for EU funding)
- Other network activities
The funding of specific activities will be administered by the Africa-UniNet Office and will be implemented in the form of funding calls. Only member institutions of Africa-UniNet will be eligible to apply.
General Assembly
- Each member institution will have one Africa-UniNet Representative in the General Assembly
- The General Assembly will be held physically every second year, alternately in Austria and in a country in Africa. Resolutions can also be made online.
- The physical General Assembly has a quorum if the President or Vice-President and at least 50% of the members are present (virtual presence is possible).
All member institutions and their Africa-UniNet Representatives can be found here.
Country representatives
- All Africa-UniNet Representatives of member institutions from the same country nominate a Country Representative
- Only Country Representatives are eligible to elect members of the Board
More information about the country representatives and their respective institutions can be found here.
Board
- The Board consists of 6 members of the General Assembly, 3 of whom will be from Austrian institutions
- All members of the General Assembly can be voted into the Board
- Only Country Representatives are eligible to elect Board members
More information about the Board members can be found here.
Presidency
- The President will be elected by the Board from among the Board members
- The president proposes a Vice-President from among the Board members, the Board has to confirm her / his choice
- If the President comes from Austria, the Vice-President is to be elected from among the African members and vice versa
More information about the Presidency can be found here, information concerning the bodies of the network as well as the role of the Africa-UniNet Office at OeAD-GmbH can be found in the section About us.
The yearly membership fee amounts to 500 Euro for African member institutions and 1,500 Euro for Austrian member institutions. With your membership application you certify that the membership fee will be paid every year before the 31st of March. The membership fee covers the membership of one calendar year. In case the membership is withdrawn throughout the year, the member ship fee will not be reimbursed.
If the membership fee of the current year is not paid by 31st of March, the membership in the General Assembly will be suspended. The member concerned may not submit any funding applications for the duration of the suspension. If the membership fee is not paid retroactively for two consecutive years by the end of the second year, the membership will expire automatically.
Partnership can be terminated
- by a letter of resignation sent to the OeAD Network Office,
- automatically following a two‐year lapse of fee payments, or
- by the General Assembly (optionally preceded by a suspension) if the conduct of a partner is detrimental to the interests of the Network or if it contradicts the Charter. The partner concerned must be informed in writing (by e‐mail or registered letter) of the suspension and termination and of the reasons which led to this decision of the General Assembly
