Constitution of the United Distance Education for Eastern Europe and Western Asia and Northern Africa (UDEEEWANA), April, 2014.

Realizing the significant contribution of open and distance education, on-line education and eLearning applications in democratizing learning opportunities to mankind, and recognizing that the development of open and distance education, on-line education and eLearning can be obtained through friendship and close exchanges among institutions of Open and distance education, on-line education and eLearning applications. Open and distance education, on-line education and eLearning institutions and universities of the Eastern Europe and Western Asia and Northern Africa region hereby agree to find an Association, United Distance Education for Eastern Europe and Western Asia Northern Africa. (abbreviated as UDEEEWANA)

ARTICLE I – Name

United Distance Education for Eastern Europe Western Asia Northern africa. (abbreviated as UDEEEWANA) hereafter is called the Association. A non-governmental educational association has been established under the name UDEEEWANA.

ARTICLE II – Nature

The type of organization is a nonprofit association of autonomous legally established institutions of higher learning primarily concerned with education at a distance, i.e. education in which the systematic teaching and the communication between student and teacher or institution take place mainly by multiple means.

ARTICLE III – Objectives

The aim of the association shall be to foster developments in open, distance and flexible e-Learning providing a platform for co-operation and collaboration by devloping links between the region and institutions, networks, companies and other agencies in the field in different countries. The association may also develop links with non-European associations and institutions. The main objective of UDEEEWANA is to foster high standards in the practice of distance education in the mentioned region. UDEEEWANA’s main objectives shall be:

· to make available information about current developments in distance and e-Learning;

· to help promote education by distance teaching systems, and develop its potentialities;

· to promote co-operation and collaboration between existing institutions and networks involved in the region and also participate in world-wide international co-operation and collaboration, take part in projects for promoting such activities and encourage, by supporting and assisting all type members of association in the elaboration of collaborative projects;

· to widen the educational opportunities available to all the people of the region and to improve the cost of member institutions by exchanging management information, teaching materials and research providing or using distance and e-Learning

· to help promote professional and ethical standards amongst distance educators;

· to co-operate with official bodies and others directly or indirectly interested in education at a distance;

· to coordinate and support conferences, workshops and seminars to support professional development in the field of distance and e-Learning for the region

· to coordinate mutual recognition, quality assurance and accreditation practices by either developing guidelines or counseling;

· to facilitate cooperation with other similar regional and international bodies and and foster research and development in distance and e-Learning by establishing liaison with the international distance education community;

· to coordinate mutual recognition, quality assurance and accreditation practices by either developing guidelines or counseling in the region and also participate in world-wide international;

· to print and publish (imprint or electronical or both, if necessarry) a newsletter, leaflets, gazette, books, articles or journal at regular intervals and such other publications as the Association shall determine from time to time and that the Association approves to assist in reaching its objects.

· to undertake any activities which from time to time are seen by the association to be in the interests of distance education in the region;

· to do all other things incidental or conducive to the attainment in all the above objectives.

ARTICLE IV – Powers

· to subscribe to, become a member of and co-operate with any other Association, club or organisation, whether incorporated or not, whose objects are altogether or in part similar to those of the Association. Provided that the Association shall not subscribe to or support with its funds any club, association or organisation that does not prohibit the distribution of its income and property among its members to an extent at least as great as that imposed on the Association;

· to buy sell or deal in all kinds of articles, commodities and provisions for members of the Association, or persons on the Association's premises;

· to purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire and otherwise acquire land, buildings, easements, or property, real or personal, and any rights or privileges that may be necessary for the purposes of or associated with the objects of the Association. Provided that where the Association takes any property subject to any trusts, the Association shall only deal with that property in such a way as is allowed by law regarding such trusts;

· to enter into arrangements with any government or authority that are incidental or conducive to attain the objects and exercise of the powers of the Association. In addition, to obtain from any governmental or authoritial any rights, privileges or concessions that the Association believes desirable to obtain and to carry out those rights, privileges and concessions;

· to appoint, employ, remove, suspend any employees or other persons as may be necessary for the purposes of the Association;

· to remunerate any person or body corporate for services rendered or to be rendered.

· to construct, improve, maintain, develop, work, manage, carry out, alter or control any houses, buildings, grounds, works or conveniences that may directly or indirectly advance the Associations interests; and to contribute to subsidise or otherwise assist in the construction, improvement, maintenance, development, working, management, carrying out, alteration or control of the Association's property and buildings.

· to invest and deal with money of the Association not immediately required in such a way as the Association from time to time approves;

· to take, acquire or hold any shares, debentures or securities of any company or body corporate;

· to lend and advance money or give credit to any person or body corporate, to guarantee or give indemnity for the payment of money or the performance of contracts or obligations by any person or body corporate, and otherwise to assist any person and body corporate in the advancement of the association's objects;

· to borrow or raise money, either alone or jointly with any other person or legal entity in such a manner as the Association approves. To secure any money or advances borrowed either jointly or with others by way of charge, mortgage, lien or other security on the whole or part of the Association's property and assets and purchase, pay off or redeem such securities;

· to draw, accept, endorse, execute or issue promissory notes, bills or lading and other negotiable or transferable instruments;

· to sell, improve, manage, develop, exchange, lease, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or any of the Association's property or rights to further the Associations objects;

· to take or hold mortgages, liens, charges, to secure the payment of purchase price or any unpaid balance of the purchase price, for any part of the Association's property sold by the Association, from purchasers and others.

· to take any gift or property, whether subject a special trust or not, for any one or more of the objects of the Association;

· to undertake written appeals, public meetings or other activity as the Association deems necessary or expedient, to procure contributions to the Association's funds by way of donations, annual subscriptions or otherwise;

· to purchase or acquire or undertake all or any part of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of any one or more of the incorporated Associations with which the Association is authorised to amalgamate;

· to transfer all or any part of the property, assets, liabilities and engagements of the Association to any one or more of the Associations with which the Association is authorised to amalgamate;

· to make donations for patriotic, charitable or community purposes.

· to do all other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects or the exercise of the powers of the Association;

· to take power over the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated Association known as the UDEEEWANA.

ARTICLE V - Membership

Membership of the Association Consist of Three Categories:

Full and Associate Membership

For autonomous legally established institutions of higher learning primarily involved in distance education. Full membership is limited to dedicated open and distance teaching institutions located within this region and whose primary mode of instructional delivery is the distance mode. Associate membership which is open to all institutions active in promoting or delivering education by the distance mode through departments, faculties, centers or schools of external or off campus studies and programs. Associate members will have the right to participate in all of the meetings and activities of the Association except the right to sit in the Ex. Comm. meeting and the right to vote in the Annual Meeting of the General Body. All full and associate member institutions shall be represented by their respective heads or their nominees; these nominees will also represent their heads in the Executive Board of the ICDEEEWANA, whenever appropriate.

Supporting Membership

For individuals and non-educational organisations who wish to support the aims and objectives of the Association and to participate in its activities in a meaningful way for promoting such activities and encourage, by supporting and assisting financially, technically or organizally all type members of association in the elaboration of collaborative projects.

Donor Supporting Membership

Donor supporting membership which is open to individuals and organisations wishing to make significant financial contributions in support of the Association.

Donor supporting members will have the right to participate in all of the meetings and activities of the Association except the right to sit in the Ex. Comm. and the right to vote in the Annual Meeting of the General Body. Corporate supporting membership which is open to business corporations wishing to be linked to the Association in a mutually beneficial way. Corporate supporting members will have the right to participate in all of the meetings and activities of the Association except the right to sit in the Executive Committee meeting and the right to vote in the Annual Meeting of the General Body. Individual supporting membership which is open to individuals wishing to contribute to the Association's activities except for the right to sit in the Ex. Comm. meeting and the right to vote in the Annual Meeting of the General Body. Admission of new members of the Association is both by application and invitation, subject to approval by the Ex. Comm. of the Association. All members are subject to and bound by the Constitution in force at the time of admission and as amended thereafter by agreement at the Annual Meeting of the General Body.

Membership Fees

· The membership fees shall be as the Association will from time to time determine at any general meeting

· The membership fees for registered membership shall be payable at such a time as the Association sees fit.

ARTICLE VI - Resignation and Expulsion of Members

A member may resign from the Association by notifying such intention to the President in writing. Any member contravening the provisions of this Constitution or acting in a manner harmful to the Association may, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, be expelled from the Association by decision of the Meeting of the General Body by a two majority. A member who has resigned or has been expelled has no claim upon the Association's funds, nor upon repayment of any contribution made but is liable for any contribution due in the current financial year.

ARTICLE VII - The Meeting of the General Body

The Meeting of the General Body shall consist of the full members of the Association. The Meeting of the General Body shall meet every year to:

· determine the general policy, procedural rules, programs and activities of the association;

· approve the budget, annual report and financial statement; and

· elect officers of the Executive Committee, if need be.

The Secretary-General shall convene the Meeting of the General Body by notice in writing to all members not less than 6 months prior to the date of the Meeting. Such notice shall be accompanied by a provisional agenda. Each member institution shall have one vote. Only one representative designated by the member institution has the right to vote. The quorum of the Meeting of the General Body shall be at least half of the members. All decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of votes. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall be entitled to a casting vote. Voting shall be by secret ballot.

ARTICLE VIII - Executive Committee

The Executive Committee and Steering Committee of the Association will be vested in an Executive Board which will consist of:

· A President and seven other members, of which one will be the immediate past President of the Association; and including two Standby co-members.

· An appointed Secretary-General. The appointment of the Secretary-General will be the prerogative of the President.

· The Executive Committee will be so constituted that each of the following regions will be represented: eastern Eurupe, West Asia, Caucasian Baltic, Midlle East, Arab Peninsula and North Africa. If not being of any region represented on the Executive Committee, and The Steering Committee shall co-opt members to effect such representation; in as far as possible the Executive Committee will seek to have representation from all member countries.

· The Executive Committee may also make appointments to fill vacancies created on the Committee.

· Co-opt up to two additional members.

· Only full members of the UDEEEWANA are eligible to hold office in the Executive Board aand Steering Committee.

Section 1

The term of office of the Executive Board will be three years, provided that the President, The Secretary-General and two of the members will be eligible to hold the office for a consecutive second term of three years, and provided further that no person shall hold the same office of the Executive Board for more than two consecutive terms.

Section 2

The Executive Committee will submit its report at the Annual General Meeting of the Association on its work and finances which will be duly audited and certified by a registered professional public accountant.

Section 3

There shall be an appointed Secretary-General of the Association. The Secretary-General will be appointed by the newly elected President of the Association who will inform the Association at the time of the election the name of the proposed Secretary-General. The functions of the Secretary-General who will work under the guidance of the President will include:

· maintaining a record of members, collecting membership subscriptions and actively promoting the Association its aims and objectives;

· recording the business meetings of the Association and its EC;

· conducting correspondence with members of the Association and outside agencies in accordance with Board policies and in consultation with the Executive Board;

· responsibility for all the financial transactions of the Association, maintaining budgetary control and preparing statements of accounts for the Executive Board as requested for presentation to the Annual General Meeting; providing administrative and logistical support and advice to the organizing institute of the Annual Conference;

· providing administrative support to the Executive Committee and carrying out the decisions made by the executive as required.

ARTICLE IX - Election of the Executive Committee

· The President and the Executive Board members shall be elected for a period of three years.

· All candidates for the presidency of the Association will declare their undertaking to support and bear all costs of the Secretariat, its furniture and communication infrastructure as well as the appointment of the Secretary-General and other required office staff.

· The Secretary-General shall conduct the elections by Executive Committee. Voting for the President and other elected members of the Executive Committee shall be by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting.

· The Secretary-General shall invite nominations at least six months before the Annual General Meeting at which the elections are to be held. As part of this invitation, he/she will also require from those candidates who are seeking the presidency to give a written undertaking regarding the hosting of the Secretariat. Nominations together with the date and time of the elections will be sent to all member institutions at least three months in advance of the elections.

· Candidates shall be elected on a firstbasis.

· The counting of the votes shall be conducted by the Secretary-General, with the ballot papers being opened and counted in the presence of two scrutineers approved by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE X - The President and the President-Election

The President shall be the Executive Head of the Association. The duties of the President shall include:

· to be the Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Meeting of the General Body;

· to represent the Association; and

· to be in charge of overall supervision of the activities of the Association.

In the event that an incumbent President is no longer able to continue in office due to resignation, retirement of any other cause, his/her successor (as President of the Association) will be the person who will replace him/her in the member's institution. The successor will assume the role of the Presidency in an acting capacity until the next AGM.

ARTICLE XI - Working Language

The working language of the Association shall be English in general-international meetings- Also can be realize regional meeting in their used language too.

ARTICLE XII – Finances

The financial year of the Association shall be through January 1st to December 31st. Each member of the Association shall pay an annual membership fee to be determined by the Meeting of the General Body. The Association shall seek funds from national and international bodies to support, in particular, objectives. The Executive Committee shall prepare an operational budget for consideration and approval by the Meeting of the General Body. The accounts of the Association shall be scrutinized annually by a duly qualified auditor who shall be elected by the Executive Committee. The President or the Secretary-General with the authority of the Executive Committee shall fulfill routine financial obligations on behalf of the Association and to represent the Association at law.

ARTICLE XIII – Dissolution

The Association may be dissolved by decision of the Meeting of the General Body. The Secretary-General shall circulate the exact terms of any proposal sent by a member to dissolve the Association by registered letter to every member of the Association not less than 90 days prior to the meeting. Any such proposal shall be adopted if passed by a two thirds majority. In the event of dissolution of the Association any assets of the Association shall be realized and placed at the disposal of any nonprofit regional or international organization as decided by the Meeting of the General Body.

ARTICLE XIV - Amendments and General Provisions

Any amendment of this Constitution shall not take effect until after its adoption at the Meeting of the General Body by a majority of the members present or reprehend after publication in the legal form.

Important Note

This constitution can be changed time to time by Steering Comittee.

© Since by UDEEEWANA-GLOKALde 2015

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