Affiliation Agreement between Akamai University, Hawaii, USA and San Juan de la Cruz University, Costa Rica Introduction and Overview Akamai University Degree Restrictions Dual Degree Transfer Policies and Guidelines Statement of Non-Discrimination San Juan de la Cruz University Fee Structure Contact Information Introduction and Overview All About San Juan de la Cruz University Overview of Affiliation Agreement Affirmation of the Universities Non-Transferability of Agreement All About San Juan de la Cruz University San Juan de la Cruz University (Universidad San Juan de la Cruz) is a recognized and accredited institution of higher education, granted such status by the government of the Republic of Costa Rica, through the office of the Adult Council on Higher Education Private Universities. San Juan de la Cruz University was founded in 1996 and accredited in 1998 by the National Council of Higher Education Private Universities (CONESUP), and is listed in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Association of Universities in the International Handbook of Universities. San Juan de la Cruz University Website UNESCO World Handbook of Universities Overview of Agreement San Juan de la Cruz University and Akamai University have duly evaluated and accept one other as educational institutions of equivalent quality and integrity. All credit earned and accepted at either university shall be eligible for transfer into appropriate education programs the other. It is the fundamental intent of the cooperating universities that educational programs shall be delivered at the highest standards of academic quality and shall maintain a high degree of institutional integrity in the conduct of activities. Both universities have traditions of international cooperation and affiliation agreements to re-enforce their vision for human betterment through education for people of all ethnicities and beliefs, regardless of socio-economic status. Through education there is prosperity and through international cooperation we can develop tolerance, and bring unique qualities to the education programs of the cooperating institutions. The affiliating universities hold dear the same values and foundations, and through education the two universities unite. Students who opt for transfer credit consideration must comply with the rules and regulations of both universities. Students completing educational modules at either university may submit an application to have the credit respected in transfer to the other institution. Students who have complied with all graduation criteria at San Juan de la Cruz University or Akamai University are entitled to transfer all earned credits in application toward an earned degree from the other institution based on the guidelines set forth in the signed memorandum of understanding. The agreement provides for inter-university transfer of credits in all areas of academic cooperation, limited to the degree programs duly offered at both institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Both universities agree that the understanding shall not permit awarding of credit toward degrees in certain fields of study, including MD (preparation of physicians) or JD (preparation of attorneys) or any equivalent degrees. Return to Top Affirmations of the Universities Each university is the degree granting institution responsible for the oversight of its students during their term of enrollment. Students who earn credits through qualified course instructors and examinations are eligible for transfer of their credits to the other university according to the terms and conditions of the agreement. Student must enroll in the transfer university in order to have their credits evaluated for transfer. Both universities recognize the other in a "twinned" relationship. All of the credits earned at one university will be accepted in transfer to the other university in any recognized fields of study at appropriate degree levels. Students who complete a degree at either of the universities shall be eligible to have all appropriate credit applied in transfer toward completion of the same degree or equivalent at the other university. Students are eligible to take advantage of the services provided through this memorandum in retroactive fashion, only with permission from the transfer university. Students entering degree programs as a result of this MOU, hereby agree to be bound by mediation and arbitration as the sole means for resolving conflicts with either university. Non-Transferability of Agreement This credit transfer agreement is not transferable to any other institution, agent, person(s), corporate persons, foundations, NGO's, representative(s), power of attorney, successors or assigns, nor has any merchant and/or legal rights been sold, traded, given in covenant, negotiated, transformed, collateralized, leased, permuted, transferred, or given in usufruct to any party. Return to Top Akamai University Degree Restrictions Acceptable Actions under the Agreement Credit that may be transferred Credit for Life Experience Inclusive Fields of Study and Degree Levels Acceptable Actions under the Agreement Students legally enrolled with either university who earn their credits through a strict professor guided combination of coursework and testing at the appropriate level may benefit from this agreement. However, the agreement is restricted to only those students who have enrolled with either university and have been legally identified to the other in writing with supporting documentation. Credit itemized on a student’s transcript of record by either university is accepted for transfer by the other, if the credit has been earned by instruction under qualified faculty, credit has been earned by instruction at an accredited or state recognized university, college, licensed training institution or professional awarding body. Credit which may be transferred Credit may be transferred to either university and applied toward the appropriate degree program if the credit meets acceptable standards. This includes credits toward the major and minor field of study, research preparation, field study, practicum and other formal training. Course credit earned under the leadership of recognized universities, colleges and training institutions, and transferred into either of the affiliating universities shall be acceptable, if such organizations are duly licensed to provide such training. If so approved, such outside institutions may provide transferable degree program elements to students who ultimately transfer their credits under this formal agreement. Students may also complete comprehensive evaluative and research-related activities under the direction of either university faculty as part of their program. Such approved activities include the comprehensive examination research proposal research project and manuscript activities, and the oral reviews of research. The minimum expectation at either university shall be that credit awarded mus be earned under qualified faculty members. Return to Top Credit for Life Experience Credit awarded solely from life experience shall not be eligible for transfer to either university as part of the credit transfer agreement. However, credit earned by challenge examination and "testing out" under qualified faculty shall be deemed eligible for transfer. Inclusive Fields of Study and Degree Levels The affiliated universities shall honor under this agreement, the transfer of credits from undergraduate and graduate education programs conducted appropriately under the supervision and leadership of qualified faculty of the other university. However, only those degrees granted at the partnering institutions shall be eligible for the transfer of credits from the other school, according to the guidelines of the receiving university. Return to Top Transfer Policies and Guidelines Interagency Admission Assistance Official Transfer Registration Required Transfer Admission Materials Transfer Procedures Tuition and Fees Refund Policy Direct Submission of Student Tuition and Fees Universities Acting on Behalf of Transfer Students Interagency Admission Assistance The partnering universities shall make available transfer admissions information to prospective transfer participants at their university. Each university shall provide coordination and assistance to prospective transfer participants in gathering appropriate details, documents and information necessary to effectively complete an application for admission at the partnering unversity. Official Transfer Registration Graduates wishing to transfer credit to the affiliated institution shall complete the admission process by submission of the requested documents with proper language translations as required by the admission process of the receiving institution. The sending university shall assist its interested graduates in gathering the needed materials for transfer admission at the partnering university. Required Transfer Admission Materials The admission package for transfer between the partnering universities shall include the following documents with the appropriate language translations: The participant’s cover letter of intent University admission application form completed and signed. University transcript from prior institution signed and sealed University letter of completion from prior institution signed and sealed Student photograph Student resume or CV CD-ROM version of thesis or dissertation in PDF format, if applicable. Notarized sworn statement written by the transfer applicant attesting to the validity of statements and documents submitted Initial admission fee and related fees Return to Top Transfer Admission Procedures Each of the partnering universities shall fully inform applicants upon receipt of application materials. Furthermore, the transfer university shall confer the equivalency credits in a timely manner upon successful completion of all program review requirements and finishing activities, including receipt of all archival documents and applicable fees. Letters of completion, diploma certificates, and transcripts will be issued to students participating in the equivalency activities of this agreement immediately upon successful completion of all degree requirements and receipt of materials and fees. Final payments may be made by post or electronic methods, as arranged. All diplomas and transcripts issued by either university related to this equivalency agreement shall be shipped directly to the partnering university on behalf of the transfer students with English or Spanish language translations, as appropriate. Successful transfer participants may request the new university to provide attestation of the transcript of record, and as appropriate, the diploma certificate and letter of completion. Upon payment of applicable fees with written instructions from the student, the university shall attest a true copy of the transcript or finishing documents and return said attested documents to the partnering university on behalf of the student. Students may choose to attend any graduation ceremony held by San Juan de la Cruz University or Akamai University at any location worldwide. There shall be an expense related to attendance at the convocation, which must be paid in full by the student on or before the date of the ceremony. Tuition and Fees Refund Policy Students are bound by and protected by a strict tuition refund policy at both universities, which is published by the universities, and available in print or online. Every student is required to sign a tuition agreement containing full disclosures and protections for the students. Requests for refunds of fees shall be as per policies and guidelines established and published by the appropriate university, and shall be restricted to the actual fees received by the university. Neither university shall be responsible to refund tuition paid to the other university by students for educational services. Fees paid to either university for coordination of the submission process for the transfer activity shall be fully refundable only up until the date materials are actually dispatched by post to the transfer university, on behalf of the student. Beyond that date of service, the coordination fee shall no longer be refundable from the assisting university. Direct Submission of Student Tuition and Fees All funds payable to the receiving university by applicants transferring from the partner university shall be paid in United States dollars. Students submitting tuition directly to the university may transmit funds by wire directly to the University bank account or by submitting funds by bank draft payable to the university. Full receipts and documentation shall be provided to the student. Universities Acting on Behalf of Transfer Students Students are permitted to arrange with their university to submit funds and materials to the transfer university on their behalf. Either university may act on behalf of transfer applicants, but only with written permission from the students. A copy of the student’s signed authorization should be submitted with the registration materials to the transfer university. Under such circumstances, the universities may be authorized to make use of banking information of the transfer university to permit electronic transfer of funds on behalf of transfer students. The following format should be used by transfer students to authorize the universities to act on their behalf. The signed document may be sent by post, scanned email attachment or fax. STUDENT AUTHORIZATION "I, [Enter student’s full legal name here], by my signature below, authorize [Akamai University or San Juan de la Cruz University} to transmit on my behalf materials and funds to [Akamai University or San Juan de la Cruz University] on my behalf." Signature: Date: Return to Top Statement of Non-Discrimination Akamai University and San Juan de la Cruz University agree they will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethic origin related to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded and made available to applicants or students at either school. Akamai University and San Juan de la Cruz University have established and follow a like-minded set of procedures in determining eligibility for its own programs and services, as related to this agreement. San Juan de la Cruz University Fee Structure Transfer students submit complete application materials to Akamai University together with full fees for credit transfer to San Juan de la Cruz University. Application Fee US$ 50 per student Transfer Services Fee $500 Fee for Credit Transfer...(USD $30 per credit) San Juan Degree Fee Bachelor’s Degree...(USD $1000) San Juan Degree Fee Master's Degree...(USD $1200) San Juan Degree Fee Doctoral Degree...(USD $1500) Attestation Fee per student - optional...(USD $200) Return to Top Contact Information David Chavarria Vargas University Liaison San Juan de la Cruz University 100 m. sur y 100 m. oeste Supermercado La Trinidad Alajuela, Costa Rica 201001 Tel: +(506) 2237-4622 San Juan Liaison Email Address San Juan Web Address Douglass Capogrossi President Akamai University 193 Kino`ole Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720, USA Tel: 1 (808) 934-8793 Fax: 1 (808) 443-0445 Akamai Email Address Akamai Web Address Return to Top