Membership
SAF works as a network of top-ranked universities. Membership is by
invitation. SAF’s development is guided by an International Advisory
Council (IAC) on which each member university is represented in country
chapters. SAF places high value on member institutions guiding its development
and work.
Universities working with SAF benefit in the following ways:
- Access to a well-constructed and tested way to increase international
student mobility (study abroad) and therefore quickly strengthen university
internationalization plans.
- Access to a wide range of opportunities for study abroad in a selection of
highly ranked universities in several countries without the need to
negotiate individual agreements. Working with SAF often supplements
exchange agreements and bilateral university agreements.
- Reduced costs arising from reduced fees and scholarships granted by
member universities and SAF.
- Professional development, training and networking opportunities for
university staff through SAF’s professional development programs in home and
host countries with access to valuable channels of information and exchange
geared to transferring good practice and institutional capacity building.
- Ease of access to specific study abroad programs through SAF’s
comprehensive administrative system, which complements member universities
administrative systems including payment of fees in local currencies.
- Comprehensive student and advisor support in local languages before, during
and after the study abroad period including dealing with the administrative
procedures of the host university and country.
- Support to students and universities from SAF’s offices in home and host
countries, which administer the student placement process and provide support
throughout their period abroad. SAF’s staff in host countries work closely with
students during their stay abroad.
- Advice, guidance and networking opportunities related to university
internationalization and international student mobility.
International Advisory Council (IAC) Membership
The SAF International Advisory Council (IAC), on which each member
university is represented through country chapters, is developing. In Korea it
is well-established and a country chapter meets annually. In other countries
chapters are being developed. SAF member universities have other opportunities
to meet annually such as during the SAF reception during the NAFSA conference
in the USA.
Professional Development
SAF works with member universities to provide a wide variety of professional
development opportunities. SAF staff are active professionals in the
field of international education and SAF encourages and assists the
professional development of colleagues from member universities. Past events
have included:
2009 NAFSA Conference - Los Angeles
SAF staff members from around the world participated in SAF annual meetings and
met with current member universities and potential new partners.
2008 SAF Host University Visits in Ireland
More than 25 staff from SAF member universities in Asia visited
University College-Dublin, National University of Ireland-Maynooth, National
University of Ireland-Galway, Burren College of Art and the University of
Limerick. The event was arranged in partnership with Education Ireland and
Enterprise Ireland.
2008 SAF Host University Visits in the United States
Prior to the NAFSA conference in Washington D.C., SAF hosted 15 staff member
from partner universities on visits to the Washington Semester Program,
American University and the University of Richmond.
2007 SAF Host University Visits in England
In advance of the EAIE conference in Trondheim, Norway, SAF organized host
university visits for staff members from member universities to Queen
Mary-University of London, Middlesex University, University of the Arts London
and the University of Westminster. The event was arranged in partnership with
the British Council.
2007 SAF Host University Visits in the United States
Prior to the NAFSA conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, SAF organized site
visits to the University of Minnesota, the University of St. Thomas and
St. Olaf College. These institutions were chosen in order to give
guests an opportunity to compare and contrast the three most prevalent
types of higher education institutions in the United States: a large,
research university, a regional comprehensive university, and a liberal
arts college.
Links to Country Offices
SAF Japan
SAF Korea
SAF Mainland
China
SAF Taiwan
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