This paper shares the experience and effective practices involved in building a systematic set of international collaborations between two leading technology-focused institutions - in this case the College of Technology at Purdue University and the Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland. The intent is to present a process that will enable both engineering and technology colleagues at other institutions design and accelerate the implementation of their own sustainable links that genuinely impact students and faculty. We highlight how to secure buy-in at all levels of the institutions; how to navigate the differential terminology, calendar, legal requirements and organizational schemes; as well as how to evaluate and fund such initiatives. We begin by providing an overview of the range of possibilities for such linkages; including but not limited to Student Exchange, Faculty Exchange, and Faculty Collaboration - both instruction and research and development. We then share some of the key characteristics that make each possible and successful. Key factors, such as timetable matching and course equivalency mapping for accreditation and time-to-degree considerations, will be described and example procedures and documents to these ends will be shared. This paper provides, not a conceptual exploration of what might be, but rather a practical, reality-based sharing of best practices that derive from our two institutions' more than two year effort to evolve sustainable linkages. We are reporting on lessons learned from the real experience of administrators, faculty and students, not only exchanging but also collaborating. Specific example documents, memoranda of understanding, visa documentation and more will be provided in a handout. Faculty and administrators from both institutions will participate and we will also encourage students to do so.
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