PUCRS joins NAFSA 2019 and strengthened relations with strategic partners
PUCRS made its presence felt in the 2019 edition of the conference Association of International Educators (NAFSA), in Washington, USA. The event’s theme was Global Leadership, Learning, and Change. It congregated universities from different parts of the world from May 27 – 31.
The Administrative Coordinator Mrs. Sandra Mino and Analyst Dr Regina dos Santos of the Office for International Cooperation represented PUCRS and talked to strategic partners to strengthen he relationship, go over the activities that have been developed and plan new actions. Sandra and Regina met with professionals from institutions from Germany, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, the United States, Peru and Portugal.
They discussed new cooperation agreements, both for research and academic mobility. Mino and Santos also demonstrated their interest in developing international short summer courses in the coming months.
In Sandra’s view, NAFSA is a great opportunity for those who work with International Higher Education. “Universities around the world get together to advance internationalization. PUCRS being represented in this event means being in a position of relevance among universities all over the planet, “she says. In her view, the meetings with partners and future partners were relevant for the Institution. We had the chance to show them the things we do in terms of internationalization and the training possibilities.
International internships
In the event, the PUCRS representatives introduced the International Research Opportunities, for international students, of partner and potential partner institutions. The institution seeks to offer opportunities in more than 50 laboratories and structures of PUCRS, under the direct supervision of the faculty of the University.
Closer connections with Latin America
In an effort to consolidate the cooperation activities with institutions in Latin America, Mino and Santos held strategic meetings with several institutions to discuss some possibilities. They had meetings with the Pontifical Catholic Universities of Peru, Chile, and Valparaiso and reinforced their interest in working together and establishing partnerships with Catholic institutions. Meetings with Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción in Chile, Universidad Iberoamericana in Costa Rica and Universidad de Belgrano in Argentina also sought cooperation in academic mobility, research and teaching.
LACSIG meeting
At the event, PUCRS made its presence felt at the meeting of Latin America & the Caribbean Special Interest Group (LACSIG), a group created at the NAFSA annual conference in 2005, to enhance the visibility and the understanding of the issues of the region. The meeting promoted and supported educational activities involving the countries of Latin America and other regions, increasing intercultural and international understanding and cooperation.
NAFSA
NAFSA is an exclusive annual conference whose participants reinforce their commitment to the core values of international education as they provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the success of generations of students and scholars. The program includes a number of workshops, lectures and networking opportunities.
