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Fostering International Collaborations

There are several types of international collaborations that Global REACH aims to foster. The first include individual collaborations between University of Michigan Medical School faculty and global partners, especially when such collaborations cross traditional departmental and school lines.

Dignitaries from Fudan University, during their visit to the University.

An example might be facilitating research that will be conducted collaboratively by physicians in several departments at the Medical School, researchers at the U-M 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 institutions with which we want to build strong, lasting collaborations.

The Medical School has formal, signed agreements in the form of Memoranda of Understanding with the following global partners:

The Medical School has additional MOUs under development with four institutions:

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:

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.

Visiting Scholars to University of Michigan Medical School


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

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.

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

U-M Web sites that can assist you with campus information, maps, photos and virtual tours: