Cooperation Agreements

• Active Cooperation Agreements
• Formalization of joint guardianship
• Formalization of New Agreements
• Agreement Templates
• Number of Agreements
• Revalidation of Diplomas
• Cooperation Networks

What are the steps for formalizing an International Joint Supervision Agreement?

To understand a little more about international cooperation agreements, read the tab “Formalization of New Agreements.”

Joint supervision is a special doctoral program carried out in an integrated manner between two higher education institutions, one Brazilian (such as UFRN) and the other foreign. In this modality, the doctoral student develops their research under the joint guidance of two professors—one from each university—and completes periods of on-site study at both institutions, according to a schedule defined in the agreement.

At the end of the process, the doctoral student defends their thesis once, at one of the institutions, as previously agreed, and receives two diplomas: one from each university, formally recognizing the joint training. After defending the thesis in accordance with the requirements established in the agreement, the title of doctor is awarded by both institutions involved, giving international recognition to the training.

It is important to note that co-supervision should not be confused with dual degree programs at the undergraduate level or with simple academic mobility, as it requires a specific institutional agreement with more rigorous criteria, continuous co-supervision, and mutual validation of the entire academic path.

Below you will find an infographic that, in general terms, explains the flow of an international co-supervision agreement process:

Step-by-step infographic - Joint supervision (COTUTELLE)

Step 1: Consultation with the foreign university and definition of the draft agreement

The first step in formalizing an International Joint Supervision Agreement is to hold formal negotiations between the UFRN Graduate Program and the foreign partner university. This consultation must be carried out directly by the supervising professor and/or the doctoral student, with the support of the coordination of the UFRN graduate program to which he or she is affiliated. At this point, it is important to verify whether the partner institution accepts the joint supervision, presenting it with the standard draft used by UFRN for this type of agreement (drafts available in the “Agreement Templates” tab, here on the website).

If the partner university does not accept the UFRN template, it is possible to apply the host institution's template. In this case, the foreign draft will also be submitted for translation by the SRI Language Support Sector. The most important thing at this stage is to ensure that the basic clauses are included, such as the purpose of the agreement, minimum period of stay abroad (at least one year), details on guidance/supervision, language of the thesis and defense, composition of the board (minimum of 5 members, all holding doctoral degrees), intellectual property, health and civil liability insurance, location of the defense, awarding of the degree at both institutions, and other academic and administrative requirements that are indispensable for UFRN.

Once the draft has been accepted by both institutions, the formalization of the joint supervision can proceed via an electronic process through SIPAC, which requires the necessary documentation to be organized.

Step 2: Organization of mandatory documentation

Once the draft has been defined, the doctoral student and their coordinator must provide the documents required to begin the formal process electronically. These are:

• The draft Co-supervision Agreement, duly completed and adapted to the reality of the program and the partnership (UFRN or foreign university model, translated if necessary);

• Letter of acceptance from the co-supervisor at the foreign university, indicating agreement with the co-supervision;

• Letter of acceptance from the partner institution's Graduate Program, authorizing the doctoral student's participation in the co-supervision system;

• Copy of the minutes of the UFRN Graduate Program collegiate body, which contains the formal approval of the requested co-supervision;

• Updated academic transcript of the doctoral student, issued by SIGAA, proving their regular enrollment in the UFRN program;

• Official letter issued by the coordination of the UFRN Graduate Program, addressed to the Secretary of International Relations, requesting the formalization of the co-supervision agreement;