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As the world globalizes more and more, cross-country joint efforts between  nations/institutions are taking place (For example, the European Union). In particular, among academic institutions joint degree programs between universities and institutions  of higher learning proliferated over the past decade. This blogger has spent his life/career  in universities and has personal experience with such joint efforts  http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-1565-487201.html , http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-1565-8897.html , http://blog.sciencenet.cn/blog-1565-975668.html . It might be worthwhile to examine the ingredients of such ventures and  speculate on the reasons for their successes and failures.

One very apt metaphor with which to look at this issue is the aged-old practice of   MARRIAGE between two parties. In olden days, marriages are often arranged  by parents and sanctioned by society and customs. In more modern society,  the partners have more say. All these practices are not without good reasons whether it is

1.     Alliances between appropriate families (門當户对) or,

2.     Each side has something the other side desires and can offer 各有所需,各有所供(e.g., between wealth, fame, talent, and beauty (招女婿,养媳婦),  and the theory of  comparative advantages between nations, or access to market and resources in  economics) . Or,

3.     Modern marriages based on participants’ knowledge and love for each other, 自由恋愛 (but still needs parental approval sometimes). Or,

4.     Simply co-habitation or trial living together 同居试试看.

5.     Finally, successful and lasting partnership is always a work-in-progress throughout  the lifetimes of those involved. This means in modern marriages, the two  partners must be attracted and love each other initially not just because their parents  wants them to, and learn to grow together and deepen their bond over the years  for therelationship to last.  (translation to academic setting: the two parties must have  shared research interests, already know well and respect the works of each other,  and see positives in starting and maintaining a close relationship together).

The lack of one or more of these ingredients is often the deal-breaker. Over the years  and without naming names, this blogger has seen many real world examples of joint academic efforts rise and fall on precisely such grounds. Any party interested in starting  such joint effort will fare better by keeping the above points inmind. The desire for publicity on the part of an institution for such joint effort is never a sufficient reason no matter  how well intentioned (It is a bit like trying to arrange or force marriage in  modern Chinese times).