As a result of partnership between PUCRS and Australian Embassy in Brazil, Center aims to advance the internationalization of education, through dedicated research, projects and activities
In the presence of the President, Br. Evilázio Teixeira and the Australian Ambassador to Brazil, Timothy Kane, the opening of the Center of Internationalization of Education Brazil-Australia, entirely in English, was streamed on Jul 15 on PUCRS’ official channel on Youtube.
Recognized for spearheading the global movement of the internationalization of the curriculum, Professor Emerita La Trobe University, Dr. Betty Leask, delivered the opening lecture The challenges of integrating the international, intercultural and global dimensions in the purpose and educational deliveries in world 4.0.
According to the President Br. Evilázio Teixeira, internationalization is a process that needs maturation. “At PUCRS, in our Institutional Internationalization plan, we have adopted the concept of comprehensive internationalization, in which we see it as part of the institutional DNA and of organizational ethos. Thus, it must be embedded in all our activities and services. The creation of the Center, in this sense, represents another important step in the search for bringing up the quality of education not only within our University, but also outside of it, as we can now be a vector for the development of society as a whole ”. The initiative, which is embraced by the School of Humanities of the University, will provide opportunities for Brazilian researchers and educators to approach Australian educational institutions, development agencies and technology parks. It will allow for continuous local and regional development and promote cooperation activities in the realm of education. The new research structure will also allow the development of joint projects, collaboration agreements, as well as extension projects, encouraging mobility and exchange between researchers, faculty and students.
The event was held online / Image: release
The Australian Ambassador to Brazil, Timothy Kane, is confident that the initiative will allow the sharing of good practices in international education and will strengthen bilateral cooperation between countries.
Kane highlighted the continuous collaboration between Brazil and Australia. According to the diplomat, Australia is the third most popular destination by international students in the world, especially among Brazilians. According to him, more than 27,000 Brazilians studied in Australia in 2019. Brazil is the largest Latin American community in the Australian territory. This reinforces the solid cultural and economic relationship between countries.
Prof. Dr. Betty Leask, in her speech, defined the internationalization of the curriculum as the incorporation of an international and intercultural dimension in the preparation, delivery and results of a study program. According to Leask, the characteristics of international higher education 4.0 involve international and intercultural learning for all students – not just for the small percentage that can enroll in mobility programs – a combination of classroom and online activities that promote diversity both locally and abroad, and greater representation in public and institutional policies and strategies.
Two other online sessions are in the agenda of the Center of Internationalization of Education Brazil-Australia. On Jul 22, at 6:30 PM, the 1st thematic webinar will address the Internationalization of Education: Methodologies and evaluation in the teaching-learning process. On Jul 29, at 6:30 PM, the 2nd thematic webinar will address Public Policies for the Internationalization of Education. Both events are online and open to the public. Find out more about them on the Website.
