University Partnerships Committee (UPC)

PURPOSE

To provide oversight of the University’s national and International partnerships and alliances at an institutional level, to ensure adherence to procedures for the approval, renewal and governance of the agreements facilitating those partnerships, including their effective risk management,  and to make decisions on their creation, renewal and termination.

REMIT

• To monitor, review and assess the effectiveness of the University’s portfolio of UK and International partnerships with respect to their intended objectives and benefits, and to assess their alignment to the University’s wider strategic objectives and commitments in Aberdeen 2040.
• To oversee the University’s strategic approach to the development of its portfolio of UK and International partnerships, both geographically and by the nature of the activity involved, and to engage in horizon scanning to scope potential significant new partnership opportunities.
• To identify and continually review risks relating to the University’s existing UK and International partnership agreements, ensure appropriate monitoring and action plans are in place to mitigate these risks, and make recommendations for further actions to SMT as appropriate.
• To oversee the management of the University’s partnership activity with UK and International partners, through the creation, renewal and termination of relevant agreements.
• To ensure that all relevant due diligence and assurance processes and conditions are satisfied in relation to proposed new or renewed partnership activity and that such information is subject to verification and challenge as appropriate to ensure the robust scrutiny and governance of international partnership activities.
• To ensure that the risks attendant in partnership activities are identified and recognised, that mitigating actions are in place to manage such risks, and to make recommendations for further risk mitigation actions as appropriate.
• To ensure that the University’s management of partnership activity is carried with due reference to and in accordance with the University Court’s stated risk appetite, and all relevant policies and procedures established by the University’s Senate, including those relating specifically to transnational education. 
• To consider and determine the approval (or otherwise) of the membership of Project Boards or other such governance arrangement (for example a Project Management Group or Strategic Partnership Board succeeding a Project Board for a long-term initiative) as may apply to individual University and/or partnership projects, including changes thereto.
• To establish and disestablish sub-committees or working groups to support the work of the Committee.
• To liaise with Professional Service Directorates, Schools and academic areas as appropriate 

Composition and Membership (2023/24)

Date of Establishment: February 2021 (Formerly International Partnerships Committee) – Updated in March 2024 (Approved by SMT in April 2024)

Chair and Administrative Support Area

• Chair: Alan Speight Vice-Principal (Global Engagement)
• Clerk: Vimal Subramanian, Lead International Governance Officer

With the agreement of the Chair, other staff, students or stakeholders, as required. (E.g. Admissions, UKVI Compliance team, Quality Assurance Committee and Research & Innovation team)

Quorum: 50% of formal membership (including Chair)

Account to be taken of Equality and Diversity in Membership

Reporting Line/Parent Committee and Interface with other Committees

Parent committee and Formal reporting line: 

• Senior Management Team (SMT)

Interface with other committees: 

• University Education Committee (UEC)
• Quality Assurance Committee (QAC)
• Risk Management Committee (RMC)
• International Advisory Group (IAG)

Frequency and Timing of Meetings

The University Partnerships Committee will hold at least three meetings per academic year

Publication of Papers

Cognisance will be taken of the University’s Publication Scheme.