Dr Heloísa Delgado lectured at PUCPR event
Photo: Bruno Todeschini/PUCRS Archives
PUCRS made its presence felt at the 5th Symposium of Internationalization (SPIN), organized by the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), in Curitiba. The Head of the Office for International Cooperation , Dr Heloísa Delgado, introduced the audience to the University’s good practices in Internationalization at Home (IaH).
Regarded as an inclusive alternative for the internationalization of higher education, IaH involves the intercultural and international aspects in the processes of teaching and learning, curricula and programs, research and extracurricular activities and the integration of international students and faculty with their peers in the local academic life. “IaH advances discussions of global issues and an open attitude and respect for diversity. That’s why it is necessary to produce individuals with a cosmopolitan mindset, with communicative abilities to navigate between and through cultures, at home”, says Heloísa.
Good practices
In the event, Delgado addressed some strategies to advance internationalization on PUCRS Main Campus. Among such strategies is the opening of the Orlando City Soccer School at the Sports Park. This initiative will focus on the teaching of sports since part of the classes will be taught in English. This will make it possible for athletes and staff engage in academic mobility programs, both incoming and outgoing.
She also made mention to the actions of internationalization involving the Science and Technology Museum of PUCRS and the Great North Museum: Hancok (GNM), of the Newcastle University (NU). This is an example of a parallel and strategic collaboration that is carried out through the frequent mobility of researchers and graduate students from both institutions. The dissemination of knowledge for both public and private schools is also another reality as it makes it possible for the community to have international experiences at home.
Internationalized campus
Strategies involving the Academic Mobility program of PUCRS underlie internationalization at home, too. Speak Out: Experiências Internacionais is one of such. This event allows former academic mobility students to share the experiences they gained abroad with other students.
Lastly, the Dean of International Cooperation talked about the English Teaching Assistant – ETA offered by Capes in cooperation with Fulbright. This program seeks to strengthen the relationship between the USA and Brazil. In Heloísa’s view, the presence of these professors is beneficial for Modern Languages students to develop intercultural skills and to understand different realities and visions of world on their own campus.
She claims that higher education is essential to prepare students for the world and change their lives positively both at and outside home. “IaH discusses issues that go beyond geographical borders and bring the development of citizens to a higher level of tolerance and kindness as they are able to face challenges persistently and wisely”, completes she.
