Memorandum Of Understanding For The
Creation Of ISTEC

Preamble
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Whereas the harmonious development of all countries represents the most appropriate course for scientific, cultural, economic, and social progress, the signatories of this Memorandum of Understanding have joined together to form the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium, demonstrating their intention of making an efficient and significant contribution to the realization of the principle mentioned above.

Declaration
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By signing the present Memorandum, the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium is established; open to Universities and other institutions dedicated to higher education and research, industrial firms, foundations and funding agencies, and other non-profit organizations located in the Americas, Spain, and Portugal; as well as international entities whose activities encompass, in full or in part, this geographical area.

The objectives of the Consortium are to conceive, plan, and carry out activities of higher education, research and development, and technology transfer, which facilitate scientific and technical progress of the Ibero-American countries. By their very nature, these activities will benefit all participants with the enhancement of knowledge.

These objectives will be initially pursued in the fields of Electrical and Computer Engineering without excluding future extensions into other areas, with the agreement of the members of the Consortium. The principal activities shall consist of projects for higher education (including postgraduate areas), cooperative research and development projects, and the transfer of technology and information. To this end, activities such as the holding of seminars and conferences, exchange of professors, researchers, technicians and students, and other similar activities, are useful and will be encouraged and carried out.

The members of the Consortium shall provide for the support of regular activities by means of protocols that meet the requirements of each institution. In addition, the Consortium can accept grants and donations for these concepts or for specific projects.

Members of the Consortium may propose specific projects, which should include plans for funding the same.

The members of the Consortium declare their conviction that the proposed structure will lead to obtaining important results for progress in education, research, and industry within Ibero-American countries, and express their best intentions to carry to a successful conclusion the implied tasks.

Operational Clauses
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The General Assembly shall meet at least every other year in accordance with a schedule established by the Board of Directors in consultation with members of the assembly.

The Board of Directors will have regular meetings every six months, and whenever it is appropriate for the correct operation of the Consortium, providing funds are available.

Any member may present a proposal for a particular activity, having first obtained the support of at least one other member, one of them necessarily being a Latin American entity. The proposals shall include, in addition to the appropriate technical aspects, a general outline for a method of obtaining funding.

Minutes of all meetings of the above bodies shall be distributed to all members of the Consortium. The Executive Office shall submit annually a financial report to all members. Any member of the Consortium may invite another member for joint meetings to discuss an agenda of topics that fall under the umbrella and interests of the Consortium. The Executive Office should be kept informed of such activities.

Educational projects shall include the delivery of courses in Latin America by at least one Latin American University. Projects that deal with the design and installation of new laboratory facilities shall receive special attention. The means for financing the project shall be clearly stated in the proposal.

For the Consortium to function effectively, the exchange of personnel, especially among universities and related institutions, is of fundamental importance. All participating educational institutions shall facilitate and encourage the exchange of personnel. This process should identify an effective mechanism for students of one institution to obtain a degree at other participating institutions. Educational institutions will determine any special conditions that govern the registration of these students, and the transfer of course records between institutions.

Application for membership may be made by any appropriate organization by written communication with the President of the Board of Directors. This communication should identify their intentions in joining the Consortium. Once the Board of Directors has approved the application on a provisional acceptance basis, the applying institution must make payment of their annual dues through the Executive office. At this point they may participate in ISTEC related projects, under the agreement that the official acceptance will take place at the next General Assembly. The applying institution must make a brief introduction to the other members attending the General Assembly. Those that are accepted will have a provisional two-year period to demonstrate activity within the Consortium. At the end of that time, that institution must present a report of activities to be evaluated by the Board of Directors, and a recommendation for Full Membership or expulsion is passed on to the General Assembly for a final vote.

Organizations may withdraw from the Consortium giving advanced written notice. Where possible, any pending activities of an institution that wishes to withdraw shall be concluded as originally scheduled.

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