The University of Manitoba and Brazilian universities have entered a new era of collaboration and partnership following the signing of four agreements that open the way for student exchanges and research collaboration, President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard announced today.

“These agreements break down barriers and will help ensure the University of Manitoba plays an important role in building an even stronger and more productive relationship with Brazil,” Barnard said. “We are building our reputation as an important destination for international students while providing University of Manitoba students, faculty and researchers new opportunities to experience the world.”

The agreements, signed during the Association of University and Colleges of Canada presidents’ mission to Brazil, will help strengthen relationships and provide new research and learning opportunities.

• As many as 20 Brazilian doctoral and masters students will study at the University of Manitoba in 2012-13 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education. (CAPES). The University of Manitoba will invest $880,000 over five years to support this bold initiative.
• Eighteen University of Manitoba students will conduct internships in Brazil over the next three years and three students from Brazil’s Don Bosco Catholic University will study at the U of M following the signing of a student exchange agreement as part of a federally funded project to promote student involvement in development initiatives abroad.
• Ten students will participate in a student exchange over the next five years as part of an agreement between the U of M and the Federal University of Uberlandia.
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Manitoba and UNICAMP (State University of Campinas) will build on research collaboration focusing on community-based resource management and food security in coastal Brazil.

These agreements add to the growing list of partnerships between the University of Manitoba and Brazilian universities, research institutes and corporations.  Innovative collaboration will explore topics of common interest and concern between the two countries. This month, for example, Extended Education at the University of Manitoba and the Federal University of San Carlos will deliver a collaborative Indigenous Literature course by Skype to students at both universities. This course is being delivered following an agreement reached this December.

“I want to thank the officials from government and from Brazilian universities for their hospitality,” Barnard said. “Our positive working relationships and new friendships will ensure opportunities for students and researchers that will help lead to future prosperity in Canada as well as Brazil.”