BALIKESİR UNIVERSITY

GUIDELINES OF THE GENERAL COORDINATION UNIT FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

PART ONE

Purpose, Scope, Legal Basis and Definitions

            Purpose

            ARTICLE 1- (1) The purpose of these Guidelines is to set out the procedures and principles relating to the objectives, areas of activity, governing bodies and mode of operation of the General Coordination Office for International Relations at Balıkesir University.

             Scope

            ARTICLE 2- (1) These Guidelines set out the provisions relating to the objectives, areas of activity, governing bodies and working practices of the General Coordination Office for International Relations at Balıkesir University.

             Reference

            ARTICLE 3- (1) These Guidelines have been drawn up pursuant to Article 12 of the Higher Education Act No. 2547 of 4 November 1981.

             Definitions

            ARTICLE 4 – (1) As used in these Guidelines;

            a) University: Balıkesir University,

            b) Senate: The Senate of Balıkesir University,

            c) Rector: Rector of Balıkesir University,

            ç) European Union Education and Youth Programmes Centre (National Agency): The Presidency of the European Union Education and Youth Programmes Centre,

            d) General Coordination Office: The General Coordination Office for International Relations at Balıkesir University,

            e) General Coordinator: General Coordinator of International Relations at Balıkesir University, 

            f) Unit Coordinator: The person who carries out the duties and activities of the Unit Coordination Office on behalf of the University, nominated by the General Coordinator and appointed by the Rector,

            g) Departmental Coordination Offices: 

            - Erasmus Coordination Office: The unit responsible for the effective implementation of the Erasmus programme at the university,

            - International Student Coordination Office: The unit responsible for planning, managing and supporting all processes relating to international students at the university,

            - Turkic World Coordination Unit: A unit established at the university to collaborate with universities in the Turkic Republics, autonomous regions and related communities in the fields of education, culture, the arts, science, sport and health; to facilitate exchanges of students, academic and administrative staff within the framework of international academic cooperation agreements and protocols; and to develop relations and carry out joint projects,

            - EU Project Coordination Unit: The unit within the university responsible for the development, drafting, implementation and monitoring of European Union projects,

            - National Exchange Programmes Coordination Unit: The unit responsible for the planning, implementation and coordination of national exchange programmes (such as the Farabi and Mevlana Exchange Programmes) that promote the mobility of students and academic staff between universities,

means.

CHAPTER TWO

Purpose, Structure, Duties and Powers of the General Coordination Office

             General Coordination

            ARTICLE 5- (1) The aim of the General Coordination Office is to coordinate all international processes by actively working to establish and strengthen academic collaborations in line with the University’s internationalisation objectives, to offer international opportunities to students and academic staff, to provide guidance on the preparation of EU projects and contribute to their development, and to enhance the University’s global recognition.

            (2) The General Coordination Office is responsible for coordinating the University’s international activities and comprises the following unit coordination offices: the Erasmus Coordination Office, the International Student Coordination Office, the Turkic World Coordination Office, the EU Project Coordination Office and the National Exchange Programmes Coordination Office.

             The duties and powers of the General Coordination Office

            ARTICLE 6- (1) The General Coordination Office carries out the following tasks:

            a) To implement, on behalf of the University, the programmes and projects run by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the European Union Education and Youth Programmes Centre.

            b) To ensure the development and implementation of international joint education programmes and projects.

            c) To develop projects under all European Union-funded programmes and ensure that university staff and students benefit from them.

            ç) To carry out activities aimed at fostering a better understanding of the lifestyles and cultures of people in different countries by developing cooperation between the University and formal and non-formal educational institutions in other countries in the fields of culture, science and education.

            d) To organise events between universities, public sector bodies, the private sector and civil society organisations at national and international level within the framework of shared interests; to carry out national and international joint projects; and to sign bilateral exchange and cooperation agreements.

            e) To organise joint scientific meetings and, to this end, coordinate the exchange of researchers at specific intervals.

            f) To encourage the exchange of academic staff, administrative staff and students between universities, public sector bodies, the private sector and civil society organisations at national and international level, within the framework of exchange programmes organised by the Unit Coordination Offices, and to manage these exchange activities.

            g) To work towards the mutual recognition of educational activities within the framework of exchange programmes to be organised by the Unit Coordination Offices.

            ğ) To inform university staff and students about EU Education and Youth Programmes and to carry out work in this area.

            h) To prepare and implement an orientation programme for academic staff and students who will benefit from the exchange programmes and projects organised by the Departmental Coordination Offices.

            ı) To issue calls for applications for students, staff and beneficiaries participating in projects under the national and international programmes to be organised by the Unit Coordination Offices; to conduct foreign language examinations and interview assessments; and to manage the beneficiary selection process.

            i) To organise information sessions with the aim of introducing and preparing new programmes, and keeping abreast of new developments, within the scope of EU projects.

            j) To conduct the necessary correspondence and ensure coordination between the University and universities and organisations abroad on matters relating to the General Coordination Office’s objectives and areas of activity.

            k) To regulate matters relating to the provision of information on the eligibility criteria, application and selection processes for exchange programmes to be organised by the Unit Coordination Offices, as well as the support, organisation and recording of application procedures.

            l) To draw up the necessary contracts with those who will benefit from the exchange programmes organised by the Unit Coordination Offices, and to request and assess reports.

                     General Coordinator and Deputy

            ARTICLE 7- (1) The General Coordinator is appointed by the Rector from among the University’s academic staff for a term of three years. The General Coordinator may be reappointed upon the expiry of their term. Should the General Coordinator leave office before the end of their term, the Rector shall appoint a successor using the same procedure to serve out the remainder of the term.

            (2) The General Coordinator shall propose to the Rector that no more than two members of the University’s academic staff be appointed as Deputy General Coordinators for a term of three years. Should a Deputy General Coordinator leave their post before the end of their term, another person shall be appointed in their place using the same procedure. When the General Coordinator’s term of office ends, the terms of office of their deputies shall automatically expire.

            (3) The Deputy General Coordinator carries out the duties assigned by the General Coordinator. In the General Coordinator’s absence, the Deputy General Coordinator acts as the General Coordinator’s deputy.

                     The duties of the General Coordinator

            ARTICLE 8- (1) The duties of the General Coordinator are as follows:

            a) To represent the General Coordination Office.

            b) To convene a meeting of the General Coordination Board, discuss the agenda and chair the meeting.

            c) To implement the decisions of the General Coordination Board.

            ç) To ensure the coordination and effective operation of the Unit Coordination Offices.

            d) After consulting with the General Coordination units, report to the Rector on physical requirements—such as buildings, equipment and similar items—as well as staffing requirements.

            e) To submit the annual reports and plans for the following year to the Rector by the end of the relevant year.

                     The duties of the Deputy General Coordinators

            ARTICLE 9- (1) The duties of the Deputy General Coordinators are as follows:

            a) To carry out the tasks assigned by the General Coordinator.

            b) To organise and attend meetings of the General Coordination Board.

            c) To assist the General Coordinator in managing the University’s international relations within the scope of the General Coordination Office’s remit.

            d) To put forward forward-looking new ideas, strategies and proposed solutions on all matters falling within the scope of the General Coordination’s activities.

            The General Coordination Board and its responsibilities

ARTICLE 10- (1) The General Coordination Board consists of the General Coordinator, the Deputy General Coordinators and the Unit Coordinators. The Rector and/or the Vice-Rectors may attend board meetings when deemed necessary. 

(2) The General Coordination Board meets at least twice a year. The General Coordinator convenes the Board whenever deemed necessary.            (3) Genel Koordinatörlük Kurulunun görevleri şunlardır:

            a) To take the necessary decisions to ensure that the General Coordination Office’s areas of activity are carried out effectively and efficiently.

            b) To discuss the proposed strategies for developing the university’s international relations and to finalise proposed solutions.            c) Genel Koordinatörlüğün çalışması ve yönetimi ile ilgili kararlar almak.

            ç) To consider and decide on the proposals and recommendations of the Rector or the General Coordinator.

             Unit Coordinator and their responsibilities

  ARTICLE 11- (1) Unit Coordinators are accountable to the General Coordinator and represent their unit; they allocate duties within their unit and implement decisions taken in accordance with established procedures and principles.  (2) The General Coordination Office comprises the Erasmus Coordination Office, the International Student Coordination Office, the Turkic World Coordination Office, the EU Project Coordination Office and the National Exchange Programmes Coordination Office. With the Rector’s approval, new unit coordination offices may be established as required.

  (3) When the Unit Coordinator is absent, they delegate their duties to one of the Unit Coordinators designated by the General Coordinator.

  (4) The duties of Unit Coordinators are as follows:

  a) To coordinate and manage the University’s international relations within the scope of the Unit’s remit.

  b) To submit reports on unit activities at the times and with the frequency requested by the General Coordinator.

  c) To attend meetings of the General Coordination Board.

  ç) To ensure that the Unit Coordination Office operates effectively and efficiently.

CHAPTER THREE

Miscellaneous and Final Provisions

            Staffing requirements

            ARTICLE 12- (1) The Rector is responsible for meeting the General Coordination Office’s requirements for academic, technical and administrative staff.

                     Cases where no provision applies

            ARTICLE 13- (1) In cases not covered by these Guidelines, the relevant provisions of other legislation and Senate decisions shall apply.

                     Entry into force

           ARTICLE 14- (1) This Directive shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Senate.

                     Executive

            ARTICLE 15- (1) The provisions of this Directive shall be implemented by the Rector.