There are several types of International Collaborations that Global REACH aims to foster. The first are individual collaborations between University of Michigan Medical School faculty and global partners, especially when such collaborations cross traditional departmental and school lines. An example might be facilitating research that will be conducted collaboratively by physicians in several departments at UMMS, researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and physicians and researchers at a partner institution abroad.

A second type of International Collaboration includes formal agreements with partner institutions identified by the Medical School as "target institutions", or institutions with which we want to build strong, lasting collaborations.

The Medical School has formal, signed agreements in the form of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with ten global partners: one in Ghana (University of Ghana), four in China (Fudan University, Peking University Health Science Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University), one in Israel (Technion - Israel Insitute of Technology), one in Qatar (Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar), one in Japan (The University of Tokyo), one in Slovakia (Comenius University) and one in Sweden (Göteborg University). UMMS has additional MOUs under development with three institutions: The University of Florence in Italy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences in India, and Health Sciences University in Monglia.

MOUs, drafted in accordance with the Office of the Provost's "Guide to the Establishment of International Agreements", are designed to formalize the relationship between UMMS and our global partners. They specify the nature of anticipated collaborations, such as allowing for the exchange of medical students, residents, and faculty. MOUs also specify the parameters under which such exchanges occur. For example, foreign medical students visiting UMMS must have passed core clinical clerkships, demonstrate English proficiency, and operate as "observer-only" status. MOUs also clarify issues such as:

• Degrees are not granted as part of international exchanges
• All exchanges are approved on a space-available basis
• Inter-institution arrangements meet all other requirements set forth in the University of Michigan's "Guide to the Establishment of International Agreements"

MOUs address more than just educational exchanges, however. MOUs to date have also focused on: medical education; higher education administration and quality improvement systems within the faculty and staff; educational and clinical care information technology infrastructure; and research programs.

Additional documents are drafted to address specific programs that might involve the exchange of funds or more detailed logistical issues, but the MOUs are a first step toward engaging our global partners in an ongoing, mutually beneficial exchange. MOUs are valid for a period of 3-8 years, at which point they are reviewed, revised, and renewed as long as all parties are still interested in ongoing collaborations.

We hope to continue the process of relationship building with global partners to give our students, residents, and faculty a variety of institutions with which formal collaborations can be initiated as easily and seamlessly as possible.

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Visiting Scholars to University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS)

Feng Jing, Program Officer, Office of International Cooperation, Peking Union Medical College.

Once you have received a letter of invitation from the University of Michigan Medical School, Carrie Ashton, Global REACH International Visitors Coordinator, will provide assistance in facilitating your visit to UMMS. Below are sites that can help you to prepare for your visit and learn about Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan community.

Dr. Robert Lash, UMMS and Professor Xian Li-qing, Vice-director, National Center for Medical Education Development, Sun Yat-sen University

The International Center provides a variety of services including visa related information that you can access via the web such as: DS-2019 forms, health insurance, and general information, i.e. hotel and housing accommodations, international associations at Michigan. Directions to the International Center, are provided via the map. English language training and support is provided by English Language Arts, Inc., 734-332-4110.

Sun Yat-sen visiting dignitaries met with Chris Chapman, Asst. Media Mgr in the Learning Resource Center

U of M websites that can assist you with campus information, maps, photos and virtual tours:

• General Information
  • University of Michigan Medical Center Virtual Tours
  • Department of Continuing Medical Education
  • University of Michigan Health System
  • Gateway to University of Michigan
  • North and Central campus tours

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