Introduction

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to initiate a partnership and linkage relationship between the Universidad Virtual, I.T.E.S.M., and the A*DEC Distance Education Consortium. Given that both organizations are committed to the use of technology to foster quality educational opportunities throughout the Americas, the undersigned agree to pursue mutually agreed upon programming opportunities in the following areas:

1. Faculty and Staff Development and Exchanges

   A*DEC and I.T.E.S.M. agree to host the following exchanges during 1997 and 1998 for the purpose of better defining specific activities to be initiated under this Memorandum of Understanding.

   • A*DEC faculty and staff orientation to I.T.E.S.M. programs and faculty development processes.

   • I.T.E.S.M. and A*DEC exchanges in instructional design; evaluation; distance education research; new technologies; administrative processes including learner support and materials development.

2. Mutual Program Sharing

   A*DEC agrees to share programs with I.T.E.S.M. and I.T.E.S.M. agrees to share programs with A*DEC on a pilot basis initially, with expansion potential judged on basis of pilot. Program sharing will include opportunities in content areas already existing in both organizations and in both Spanish and English. Closed captioning potential in both languages will be explored. Both academic and non-academic programs will be part of the pilot test. The pilot test will begin with a videoconference/s using satellite and/or picturetel facilities. Priority areas for pilot program development will be Social and Cultural Values in Latin America (I.T.E.S.M.) for use in A*DEC institutions and Environment and Sustainable Development (A*DEC) with initial inventorying of what is already available and what could be designed and delivered in modular and multi-media format throughout Mexico and Latin America.

3. Preparation of Youth in both countries for a new era of relationships in the hemisphere including socio-cultural and International Trade & Marketing.

4. Interoperable Infrastructure including agreed upon access mechanism between the A*DEC and I.T.E.S.M. networks.

5. Financing and Entrepreneurship vis-a-vis acquisition of funds for joint infrastructure and program development. Both public and private opportunities mutually agreed to will be pursued. Foundations will be consulted as to their willingness to partner and support these types of activities.

6. At least two Staff Development Workshops will be conducted for selected I.T.E.S.M. and A*DEC member staff - one in Mexico and one in U.S. in 1997-98.

Specific detailed plans for each of the six areas will be prepared upon signing of the memorandum. This MOU can be amended at any time with agreement of both parties.

June 1, 1997