Credits offered to students on this summer program were transferred to their home university's credits by means of the UCTS (UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme). All the 20 students were granted a scholarship and a round trip plane ticket by the Association of International Education, Japan.
Contact
International Student Exchange Division, Kyushu University 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan
Tel:+81 92 642 2141
Fax:+81 92 642 2144
E-mail: yoshie@isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Web site
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/umap/home.htm
| Name | Michael Turken |
| University | Amherst College, Sophomore | |
| Major | Biology/Japanese | |
| As a foreign student of Japanese, I was initially worried about acclimating to the culture and language. Thankfully, UMAP provided me with excellent advisors, classes, and accommodations. They planned wonderful weekend trips to places even some Japanese people haven't had the privilege to see. Each new day greets me with unexpected delights. The people are friendly and courteous, the food is delicious and plentiful, and the weather is never cold. | ||
UMAP is the acronym for the organization called University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific. UMAP was founded in 1993. It is a voluntary association of government and non-government representatives of the higher education (university) sector in the region.
UMAP aims to achieve enhanced international understanding through increased mobility of university students and staff.
UMAP membership is open to countries, territories and administrative regions in the Asia-Pacific region. Members can be represented by government higher education departments or ministries, individual universities, university umbrella organizations, or a combination of these. Individual persons are not eligible to be members.
UMAP membership is currently open to the following countries, territories and administrative regions:
| Australia | Hong Kong | Mexico | Russia |
| Brunei | Indonesia | Mongolia | Samoa |
| Cambodia | Japan | Myanmar | Singapore |
| Canada | Republic of Korea | New Zealand | Taiwan |
| Chile | Laos | Papua New Guinea | Thailand |
| Fiji | Macao | People's Republic of China | USA |
| Guam | Malaysia | Philippines | Vietnam |
All accredited public and private universities in these countries, territories and administrative regions can participate in the UMAP Exchange Program. Other countries, territories and administrative regions can join UMAP with the approval of the governing authority of UMAP, the UMAP Reference Group.
--- Students participating in UMAP undertake a period of formal study while on exchange. This study should be for a minimum of one semester and a maximum of two semesters.
--- Hosting universities are expected to waive tuition fees for UMAP students on exchange.
--- Credit for study undertaken while on exchange is to be accepted by the home university.
--- Undergraduate and postgraduate students can participate in UMAP.
UMAP members and their universities are working towards standard arrangements for recognition of study undertaken by UMAP students. They have agreed to trial a pilot UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme (UCTS). University participation in the trial is voluntary.
The objective of the UCTS is to increase student mobility by ensuring that credit is received by students for study undertaken when on exchange with other universities.
To participate in the UCTS, the UMAP student and the home and host university need to complete a credit transfer agreement in advance of exchange. Details are contained in the UCTS Users' Guide which is available on the UMAP web site.
In the first instance, students should contact the office responsiblefor international student exchanges at their university.