Article 1 – Definitions

• General terms and conditions: these general terms and conditions.
• Registration date: the date on which the Customer registered for a Course.
• Start date: the date on which the study is planned to start or has actually started. This is the date on which access is provided to the digital learning environment of the Institute for China Studies; “Digital Campus”.
• Training End Date: The date on which the Service Duration ended.
• Incompany/Custom training: a Training that the Institute for China Studies provides for a Client in a closed circle for a group of employees to be designated by the Client.
• Registration: an application submitted by the Client and confirmed by the Institute for China Studies for the purchase of and/or participation in a Training which constitutes a Study Agreement between the Client and the Institute for China Studies.
• Client: private individual or company that purchases one or more Training courses from the Institute for China Studies.
• Institute for China Studies: Aegis Management Consulting Limited, Institute for China Studies, Room 803 Chevalier House, 45-51 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
• Open course: a course that is open to anyone who is interested, provided that the possible admission requirements are met.
• Education: an education, training, course, study, or workshop provided by the Institute for China Studies, which can be followed (partly) at home and/or (partly) in company and/or (partly) in class.
• Course information: information about the Course as published on www.china-studies.org and/or stated in the study guides.
• Course material: subject matter, materials, and related articles for the purpose of (following) a Course.
• Start-up costs: the costs incurred by the Institute for China Studies for the implementation of the Study Agreement, including but not limited to administration costs, IT costs, marketing costs and personnel costs.
• Price: the total price for a Course including all additional costs and taxes.
• Student: natural person following the Course.
• Duration of study: the duration of the Course as stated in the training information.
• Service duration: the period in which the Customer is entitled to service and services and access to the online learning environment.
• Study Agreement: an agreement between the Institute for China Studies and the Client with regard to the provision of Course by the LOI, whether or not for the benefit of employees of that Client.
• Extended service duration: the period by which the service duration has been extended.

Article 2 – Offer

1. The offer of the Institute for China Studies contains a complete and accurate description of the Course and/or of the Course Material that is part of the Course.
2. The offer states in any case the following information in a clear and comprehensible manner:
   1. when the Course starts;
   2. the admission requirements to participate in the Course;
   3. the Price including all additional costs and taxes;
   4. the method of payment;
   5. the Study and Service Duration.
3. These General Terms and Conditions are expressly made known to the Client prior to the conclusion of the Agreement between the Client and the Institute for China Studies and form an integral part of the general information provision of the Institute for China Studies. The General Terms and Conditions apply in full to all agreements that the Institute for China Studies concludes with the Client.
4. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 3, the offer for a Distance Agreement also includes the following information:
   1. the identity and address of the Institute for China Studies;
   2. the right of the Client to dissolve the Study Agreement within 14 calendar days, with the exception for courses that have a duration of two month or less.

Article 3 – Conclusion of Study Agreement

1. By registering for a Course, the Client enters into a Study Agreement with the Institute for China Studies for the agreed Study Duration and the Client agrees to the General Terms and Conditions as stated here.
2. Registration for a Course takes place via the web form on the Website.
3. The Study Agreement is concluded as soon as acceptance of the offer by the Client has reached the Institute for China Studies and the Institute for China Studies has confirmed receipt thereof. Confirmation will take place by e-mail immediately after registration.
4. The Client is not entitled to transfer the rights and obligations under the Study Agreement to a third party without written permission from the Institute for China Studies. The Client is also not entitled to allow a person other than that stated on the registration form to participate in an Open Line training without written permission from the Institute for China Studies. The Institute for China Studies can attach further conditions to this permission.

Article 4 – Price

1. The costs of the Course, the method of payment, the possible number of payment terms, registration fee, examination fee and other possible additional costs are stated in the Course Information.
2. For companies and institutions, a specific training proposal can be made for an In-company or customized training. This offer replaces the price information as stated in the Education Information on the website and/or study guide.
3. All amounts stated by the Institute for China Studies are exclusive of VAT.

Article 5 – Payment

1. The Institute for China Studies is entitled to obtain information from third parties about the creditworthiness of a Customer who has registered for the Course. This may affect the payment terms offered.
2. Payment of the Price for In-company or customized training must take place at the latest on the due date as stated on the relevant invoice.
3. Tuition fee for online short courses are to be paid in advance.
4. The Customer is legally in default without an additional notice of default being required from the date on which the applicable payment term has expired, and the invoice amount owed has not been paid in full. The Institute for China Studies then sends the Customer a payment reminder, after which the Customer can still pay within the term specified therein. If the Customer has not paid the invoice amount due after this term, the Institute for China Studies can charge the Customer statutory (commercial) interest with effect from the date on which the original payment term has expired.
5. Any extrajudicial or judicial collection costs will be borne by the Customer. With regard to the amount of the (extra)judicial collection costs, a connection will be sought with the applicable legal regulations.
6. Private Customers remain responsible at all times for obligations arising from the agreement with the Institute for China Studies. Even if the payment has been or will be transferred to a third party, such as an employer.

Article 6 – Right of withdrawal

1. If the Customer is a private individual, for courses with a duration longer than 2 months, the Customer may dissolve the agreement free of charge and without stating reasons (right of withdrawal) within 14 calendar days after it has been concluded.
2. The Client makes use of the right of withdrawal by sending an unambiguous statement by e-mail within this period that the Study Agreement must be dissolved.

Article 7 – Consequences of non-compliance with obligations

1. If the Client does not (fully) fulfill one or more obligations under the agreement or the General Terms and Conditions, the Institute for China Studies is entitled to suspend its obligations and to interrupt or ultimately terminate the Course.
2. The consequences of interrupting the Course as referred to in paragraph 1 are for the account and risk of the Client. These consequences can include:
   1. Access to the online learning environment is denied, Course material or updates thereof are no longer made available, teacher guidance is discontinued, and no exams can be taken.
3. Upon termination of the Course as referred to in paragraph 1, the following applies:
   1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Institute for China Studies no longer has any obligations towards the Client.
   2. If termination of the Course as referred to in paragraph 1 is premature, the conditions of Article 10 apply.
   3. The terminated Course cannot be resumed. A Customer who wishes to continue the Course will have to re-register.
4. The Customer’s default does not mean that the agreement between the Customer and the Institute for China Studies is terminated.

Article 8 – Study and service duration

1. The Study Agreement ends automatically after the expiry of the Study Duration as determined with your registration; the mutual rights and obligations cease to exist when the Study Agreement ends. The assessment period for assessment must fall within the study duration.
2. The Study duration is stated in the Course Information on www.china-studies.org and on the registration confirmation.
3. The Service Duration is equal to the Study Duration plus the period by which it may have been extended.
4. The Service Duration of courses with a Study Duration of up to 12 months can be extended once free of charge by 6 months after the Study Duration has ended. The Service Duration of courses with a Study Duration of 12 months or more can be extended once free of charge by 12 months.
5. You must apply for an extension of your Study Duration yourself, no later than 14 days before the end date of your Study Agreement, via email.
6. When the registration for (a certain version of) a course is closed, this may have consequences for the period in which the Client is entitled to supervision, homework correction and exam opportunities. The Customer will be informed of this as soon as possible. The Institute for China Studies reserves the right to make changes to the Course.

Article 9 – Completion of modules

1. Courses consist of modules, which consist out of units. The online learning environment, course material, teacher guidance, examination and all other study facilities for a module are made available after it has been activated.
2. All modules must be completed within the Service Period applicable to the Course.

Article 10 – Premature termination of the Study Agreement

1. The Study Agreement can only be terminated by the Client by e-mail after the start of the Course. In the event of cancellation by e-mail or letter, the date of receipt of the e-mail or letter by the Institute for China Studies applies.
2. If the Client terminates the Study Agreement prematurely in accordance with Article 10 paragraph 1, the Client owes the Institute for China Studies a Reasonable Compensation.
3. In case of a course with a duration less than 2 months, Reasonable Compensation equals tuition fee. As tuition fees are paid in advance, no refund of the tuition fee will be made.
4. In the case of a Course with a duration of more than 2 months but less than 6 months, the Reasonable Compensation consists of (i) the Price for the education already provided by the Institute for China Studies up to the moment of early termination, plus (ii) 50% of the Price as Start-up costs. The Reasonable Compensation will never exceed the agreed Price.
5. In the case of a Course with a duration of 6 months or longer, the Reasonable Compensation consists of (i) the Price for the education already provided by the Institute for China Studies up to the time of the early termination, plus (ii) 40% of the Price for the remaining duration of the program, as being Start-up costs. The Reasonable Compensation will never exceed the agreed Price.
6. If the Client terminates the Study Agreement prematurely due to a serious illness or calamity, as a result of which the Client or his employee is unable to continue the Course, the Client can request the Institute for China Studies in writing, stating reasons, to adjust the Institute for China Studies determined Reasonable compensation, whereby the Institute for China Studies may require proof in the form of a medical certificate or otherwise.

Article 11 – Implementation of In-company education

1. The Institute for China Studies has the right to change the layout of the training with regard to place and time. For technical reasons, the Institute for China Studies can also deviate from the Commencement Date indicated in the Training Information. In some cases, the Institute for China Studies can reduce the number of meetings per subject or adjust the intended group size.
2. In the event of illness and/or absence of a teacher, the Institute for China Studies will do everything in its power to provide an equivalent replacement. If replacement proves impossible, Institute for China Studies will inform Students of this as soon as possible. The meeting will then be rescheduled if possible. Failure of a teacher or meeting does not entitle the Institute for China Studies to compensation or refund of tuition and does not entitle to make up the meeting, not even if the Institute for China Studies benefits from this due to force majeure.
3. Meetings are scheduled for the entire training. Missing meetings and catching up later is in principle not possible. However, a request can be submitted to attend one or more meetings again for an appropriate fee. It is up to the Institute for China Studies to assess whether this is possible.

Article 12 – Intellectual property rights

1. The intellectual property rights to the Training Material produced by the Institute for China Studies, regardless of the form in which it is delivered (in print, digital or otherwise) remain with the Institute for China Studies at all times.
2. Use of Course Material and access to the online learning environment Digital Campus, other than for one’s own study, is not permitted, nor is the sale or transfer of it to third parties.

Article 13 – Liability Institute for China Studies

1. In the event that the Client (and/or one or more of its employees) suffers damage, the liability of the Institute for China Studies is, in all cases, limited to compensation for direct damage (liability for indirect damage – for example consequential damage, delay damage, loss of profit and lost turnover – is therefore excluded). Furthermore, the scope of the compensation obligation is limited to the amount that has been paid by the Client in (or in respect of) the academic year in which the event causing the damage occurred. Under no circumstances does the Institute for China Studies ‘s compensation obligation exceed the amount actually paid out to the Institute for China Studies by the Institute for China Studies ‘s insurer.
2. The Institute for China Studies is in no way liable for damage, of whatever nature, that is the result of (any) incorrect or incomplete information/recommendations/advice provided in connection with the Course. This includes: the information/recommendations/advice provided by the teacher or via the Course Material, the brochure or any other work arising from or related to a Training.
3. The Institute for China Studies is not liable if the Customer does not observe the (safety) instructions.
4. The Institute for China Studies reserves the right to refuse, suspend and/or remove the Client in special circumstances. Customers who do not behave according to social norms, exhibit aggressive or violent behavior, or commit fraudulent acts may be suspended from the Course.
5. The Institute for China Studies ‘s liability also extends to all persons for whom the Institute for China Studies is responsible (such as persons employed by the Institute for China Studies or who have been appointed by the Institute for China Studies for the implementation of the Study Agreement).
6. The Client guarantees that its employees for whom the Course has been taken have accepted the aforementioned liability limitations and indemnifies the Institute for China Studies against all claims from those employees.

Article 14 – Personal data

1. The Institute for China Studies processes various forms of personal data provided by the Client on a daily basis. For the careful handling and security of this data, the Institute for China Studies acts in accordance with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance of Hong Kong (“PDPO”) . The data processing and rights of the persons involved are explained in more detail in the Privacy Statement of the Institute for China Studies.

Article 15 – Amendment of General Terms and Conditions

1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the registration conditions can be changed by the Institute for China Studies. Changes will be announced at least ten calendar days before coming into effect by personal notice or general publication on the website of the Institute for China Studies.

Article 16 – Dispute resolution

1. The Study Agreement is governed by the law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.