12 June 2014 at 9:00 am
Science without Borders brings Brazilian students
Science without Borders (SWB) aims to promote the expansion of science, technology and innovation in Brazil by supporting international exchange with top universities around the world.
This is New Zealand’s first year in the programme, with 62 Brazilian students studying here at the moment and a further 100 due to arrive in July.
Recognising the importance of SWB and the opportunities it provides for our universities, Education New Zealand’s Ana Azevedo and Latino New Zealand (education agent representing New Zealand universities) took part in an international roadshow to promote the courses available at New Zealand universities.
Over two weeks in May university representative from Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland joined New Zealand on a tour of seven Brazilian cities.
“We visited eight Brazilian universities and set up education fairs in each where we ran seminars and talked to potential students,” says Ana Azevedo, ENZ’s Market Development Manager.
The promotion was not limited to the SWB programme and was a great opportunity to highlight New Zealand as a destination for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
“Students were most interested in courses in engineering – electrical, civil, production, biochemical and forestry – as well as architecture, design, health studies, computer sciences and environmental studies.
“Everywhere we went students said they hadn’t considered New Zealand as a destination option before but now they felt they would include New Zealand in their thinking in the future.
“All the countries involved agreed the roadshow was successful and should happen again next year. A lot of students wanted to talk directly with representatives from New Zealand universities so we need to try and arrange that for next time,” says Ana.
Universities visited during the SWB road show:
- Paulista State University “Julio de Mesquita Filho” in Bauru
- Federal University of Sao Carlos
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre
- Federal University of Santa Catarina in Florianopolis
- Fluminense Federal University in Rio da Janeiro
- Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte
- Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife
- Federal University of Ceara in Fortaleza
