A White Paper to Explore Cooperation Between

A White Paper to Explore Cooperation Between The Central University of Technology And The United Nations Institute for Training and Research Programme of Correspondence Instruction September 28, 2006 Purpose It is the purpose of this White Paper to explore the feasibility of The Central University of Technology (CUT) and The United Nations Institute for Training and Research Programme of Correspondence Instruction (UNITAR POCI) cooperating to offer an academic distance-training programme that would permit students to earn a college degree through the distance training offered by both institutions. This White Paper is not a contract or memorandum of agreement, but rather it is intended to form the basis for discussion and exploration. Background During the period 13-14 October 2005 Professor Jaco Mostert of UNISA and Dr. Harvey Langholtz of UNITAR POCI met in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA to discuss the feasibility and practical steps needed for UNISA and UNITAR POCI collaboration. It would be the goal of that institutional collaboration to permit students to earn academic credits for existing distance courses available from UNITAR POCI as part of their studies with UNISA. This institutional collaboration between UNITAR POCI and UNISA is still under consideration and will not interfere with the institutional collaboration proposed in this paper between UNITAR POCI and CUT. UNITAR POCI is a world-wide distance-training programme currently offering 18 separate courses on peacekeeping, conflict resolution, humanitarian relief, humanitarian law, and other topics. UNITAR POCI process approximately 25,000 enrolments each year either directly or through UN Peacekeeping Missions or institutional enrolments. UNITAR POCI students come from 120 nations. UNITAR POCI is a programme within the United Nations. For additional information see www.unitarpoci.org. Goals of this proposed institutional collaboration There are three goals of this proposed institutional collaboration. One goal is to provide UNITAR POCI students with a means to earn academic degrees while serving on a UN Peacekeeping Mission. This will be accomplished by CUT’s acceptance of UNITAR POCI courses for academic credit and by students completing additional courses in the arts, sciences, and other academic disciplines as may be offered by CUT and required to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree from CUT. A second goal is to offer CUT students access to UNITAR POCI courses so they may study peace-related topics. A third goal is to for CUT to develop an academic department and major in peace studies which will rely on UNITAR POCI courses. This third goal may be sought at some future time but is not a requirement for a programme that would include the first two goals. Financial arrangements There are three separate topics to be addressed in terms of financial arrangements. The first topic concerns any exchange of funds between CUT and UNITAR POCI for students who take UNITAR POCI courses directly through UNITAR POCI (or other UNITAR POCI programme i.e. UN Missions, national training programmes, etc.) and apply these courses to the degree requirements at CUT. There shall be no exchange of funds between the two institutions in such cases but students may pay appropriate fees to each institution. The second topic is UNITAR POCI students paying tuition for CUT courses or programmes. UNITAR POCI students will pay CUT the normal tuition and fees for UNISA courses as all UNISA students pay. The third topic concerns the possibility of CUT adopting UNITAR POCI courses and using UNITAR POCI courses as components in CUT courses. UNITAR POCI currently has similar arrangements with other colleges and if CUT wishes such an arrangement then specific terms and prices will be negotiated. Timing and dates It shall be the goal of UNITAR POCI and CUT to complete any plans, applications, or approvals as may be needed in time to commence their institutional cooperation by 1 January 2007. Immediate plans The two principal representatives, Professor Kallie De Beer of CUT and Dr. Harvey Langholtz Langholtz@unitarpoci.org of UNITAR POCI, will submit the proposed initiative to their respective institutions for approval and adoption.