Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Republic of Chile on the Equal Opportunities Scholarship

The Government of Canada and The Government of the Republic of Chile, hereinafter referred to as the "Participants";

Desiring to continue to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of Canada and the Republic of Chile by a wider exchange of knowledge and professional talents through educational activities;

Have reached the following understanding:

1. The Participants have decided, in response to the Government of Chile's desire to increase access and equal opportunity for a diverse group of Chileans to advanced degree study in Canada, to establish a scholarship program for Chilean graduate students at a Canadian university:

1. for two (2) years of master studies; or
2. for four (4) years of doctoral studies,

2. The program will be publicly known as the "Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program, Canada Chile" (hereinafter the "Program").

3. The Program's emphasis will be on disciplines that respond to the Republic of Chile's needs to build capacity to improve the scope and quality of scientific and technological research and innovation, thus improving its global competitiveness.

4. The Program will provide scholarships to Chilean students in graduate programs at a range of universities in Canada. For each year that this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in effect, up to 100 students per year will receive scholarships under the Program.

5. Recipients of the Program will not be eligible for the Government of Canada's Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

6. The Participants hereby create a Steering Committee that will convene periodically, commencing July 2008 and meeting annually in July thereafter, in order to evaluate and serve as an advisory body with regard to the application of this MOU. The Steering Committee will be comprised of the following persons or their designees:

1. the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Chile and Canada, who will serve as Co-Chairpersons;
2. the Director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
3. the Director General for Public Diplomacy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada;
4. the Presidents of CONICYT and DFAIT's designated agency.

7. The Program will be managed in Chile by the Coordinating Committee for the Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program Chile - Canada (hereinafter "the Coordinating Committee") comprised of an agency named by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile .

8. The Co-ordinating Committee will present by common consent, in the first meeting of the Steering Committee, a plan of action for the implementation of this MOU, specifying the administrative procedures and financial requirements under the Program.

9. The benefits for each recipient under the Program will include:

1. Round trip airfare to Canada;
2. Monthly maintenance allowance;
3. Settling in allowance at the beginning of each grant for the recipient and, when needed, for dependents;
4. The balance of tuition and fees not subsidized through grants, bursaries or any other forms of scholarships provided by the receiving Canadian universities or provinces;
5. English or French Language Training in Chile, and in Canada for recipients who may need training to improve their proficiency either in the English or French language prior to beginning their academic programs;
6. The costs of any orientation programs organized for the recipients
7. The portion of the administrative costs incurred by the Coordinating Committee in Chile to manage the Program including promotion and selection processes; and
8. Health insurance coverage for recipients and dependents.

10. The Government of Chile will:

1. Determine each year, in collaboration with the agency named by DFAIT, and after the current year's selection process, the number of grants to be awarded during the following academic year;
2. Cover living expenses for a recipient while he/she is enrolled at a postgraduate program in Canada. The grants will cover up to two (2) successive years of study for recipients pursuing a Master's degree and up to four (4) successive years of study for recipients pursuing a Doctorate degree;
3. Cover the balance of tuition and fees not provided by Canadian universities or their provinces;
4. In exceptional circumstances and after thorough assessment, cover tuition and fees for those recipients who are not granted monetary awards from the receiving Canadian universities and/or provinces;
5. Provide each recipient and his or her spouse with one (1) roundtrip economy air ticket each, from Chile to the corresponding destination in Canada;
6. Provide a bursary to cover settling-in expenses;
7. Fund English and/or French language training courses in Chile for recipients who do not meet the language entrance requirements established by the receiving university;
8. Provide recipients with a monthly maintenance allowance for a maximum of four months, while enrolled in English and/or French language courses in Canada prior to the start of their academic studies; and
9. Cover the administrative costs incurred by CONICYT for selection, data processing, supervision and monitoring of recipients.

11. The Government of Canada, or as appropriate through a designated agency named by DFAIT, will:

1. Discuss with the provinces and territories how they can support the application of this MOU to meet the objectives of the Program;
2. Provide a list of the scholarship recipients to the Canadian Embassy in Chile concerning the recipient's applications for study permits;
3. Provide up to a maximum of four (4) months of further English and/or French language training in Canada for those recipients who have not met the necessary level of proficiency required by the receiving Canadian university and/or cultural courses for effective transition into Canadian society and culture;
4. Arrange for orientation programs for recipients shortly after arrival to Canada;
5. Cover administrative costs for supervision and monitoring of recipients at Canadian universities, including academic progress, medical care, visa compliance and emergencies;
6. Provide health insurance coverage for recipients and their dependants for the duration of the recipients' academic studies under the Program in Canada; and
7. Provide guidance as needed to recipients to make their applications to Canadian universities appropriate to each recipient's needs;

12. This Memorandum of Understanding in the English French and Spanish languages will become effective June 9, 2008 the date of the signature of a Declaration to that effect.

13. This MOU is not legally binding among the Participants in either national or international legislation.

14. Either Participant may discontinue this MOU by providing written notice to the other Participant of its intention to discontinue. In that case, this MOU will discontinue on May 30 following the date of such notice. Recipients already in the program will be permitted to complete their programs following the discontinuance of this MOU, and the Participants will fully honour all commitments made under this MOU that applies to the recipients.

15. This MOU may be amended in writing between the Participants through diplomatic means.

16. Each Participant's commitments under this MOU will be subject to the availability of appropriated funds, resources and personnel and to the applicable laws and regulations of each Participant.