The University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Organization was founded in 1993 as the voluntary association of government and non-government representatives of the higher education sector across the Asia-Pacific. The following countries/territories eligible are members of UMAP: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, People's Republic of China, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, Western Samoa, and Timor Leste

All accredited public and private universities in these countries territories can participate in the UMAP Exchange Programs while others can join UMAP with the approval of the governing authority of UMAP, the UMAP Board.

The general aim of UMAP is to achieve, through student and staff exchanges, a better understanding of the cultural, economic, and social systems of countries, territories, and administrative regions in the Asia-Pacific.

The objectives of UMAP are to:

•  increase student exchanges among higher education institutions and consortiums of institutions and others in the Asia-Pacific region;

•  identify and overcome the impediments to higher education student mobility;

•  foster bilateral institution and business enterprise relationships in countries and territories of the region; and

•  establish and maintain a small cost-effective organizational structure to guide UMAP policies and practices, and a minimum-sized secretariat located in s suitably central city.

Most agreements negotiated under UMAP will be bilateral between institutions but agreements between governments or systems or combinations of parties can also be appropriate.

For recognition as a UMAP project, an agreement should take proper account of the obligations of Home and Host Universities.

Home Universities will:

•  select students and staff to participate;

•  approve the study programs, including language courses/training, to be undertaken by participating staff and students;

•  recognize work completed overseas for credit towards awards at the Home University;

•  determine the level of financial support to be given to participating students and staff; and

•  provide appropriate preparatory courses for their students and staff prior to their departure.

Host Universities will:

•  provide the agreed study programs for participating students and staff;

•  provide appropriate counseling and other support services to participants;

•  assist participating students and staff to obtain accommodation at reasonable cost;

•  ensure the appropriated health care arrangements are made for participating students and staff;

•  take action with the appropriated authorities in the Host country, territory or administrative region to facilitate the issue of visas and compliance with other entry requirements;

•  ensure appropriate access by participating students and staff to libraries, laboratories and similar facilities; and

•  provide any necessary language training.