Since its very start, the project EBW+ has relied on a Committee for Sustainability (CfS) to look for solutions that would enable our actions to continue beyond the end of the funding that the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency has granted to the project.

This newsletter that you are reading is an important tool that the CfS has promoted these last two years and a half: is has provided a lot of information on our universities, their international officers and their procedures, and also on the alumni EBW+. All of these together form a rich combination of contacts that will enable new joint activities in the years to come. The Web site and the newsletter will of course remain available after EBW+ finishes and can be consulted to restore some contact that would have been forgotten.

As discussed in this edition of the newsletter, the committee has also been working on the divulgation of bilateral calls for partnerships, of institutional actions like double degrees, and of Erasmus+ as means to keep on working together.

It is worth noting, though, that many of these ideas mean working beyond student mobility, on all the different main missions of the university. To maintain sustainable collaborations, we need to engage in joint research or in internationalizing our curricula. As International Officers always say: credit mobility can be an end in itself for each individual student, but for the universities it is but a tool to improve their overall academic quality, besides other possible actions for a comprehensive internationalization. Being sustainable in our relations thus means broadening the scope to be able to use the most adapted solution at a given time to work with our partners.

There is a risk that student mobility be significantly lowered, in these years post-Science without Border and post-Erasmus Mundus. The new funding available for student mobility is clearly much smaller than what used to exist. Yet, specially in a country like Brazil which is still much more isolated from the rest of the world than European countries, it is very important to provide to as many students as possible an experience abroad that is still, frequently, the first of the family. It will be our responsibility in the years to come to optimize those opportunities that are left to give this chance to the largest possible number of our youth.

Stakeholders in international relations are acutely aware that the foundation of a strong cooperation rests not only on inter-institutional commitment but also on mutual understanding and trust between academic and administrative staff from partner Higher Education Institutions. Even when these preconditions for a successful and dynamic collaboration are met, the University of Lille, in order to ensure the long term viability of cooperation with its partners, promotes a variety of activities and above all:

• Exchange in the spheres of both research and teaching academics.
• Mobility of students, academic and administrative staff.
• Joint curricula, seminars and research projects as well as other links that strengthen the relationships between the partners.
• Exchange of scholarly publications and information.

The development of opportunities for students and academic staff from partner universities to work together on collaborative projects is one means of making inter-institutional cooperation sustainable. And one of the priorities of the University of Lille consists in increasing the number of international joint PhDs via the co-supervision of doctoral dissertations and sandwich PhDs with targeted partners. From this perspective, the Erasmus Mundus project Euro-Brazilian Window Plus, with its international scope, offers the University of Lille the opportunity to reinforce its links with different European and Brazilian partners in the network. As a consequence, exchange of students and academic staff between members of the Euro-Brazilian Window Plus partnership will continue, and their collaboration on teaching and research will focus on the mutual areas of strength and interest.

These kinds of activities are sufficiently viable and interesting for each partner such that they will be maintained after funding from the European Commission ends.

Joseph ARMANDO SOBA, PhD
Deputy Director
International Relations Office
University of Lille Social Sciences and Humanities

The EBW+ Committee for Sustainability is coordinated by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, co-coordinator of the project. The members of the Sustainability Committee are:

• Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná (UENP), Brazil
• Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil
• Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil
• Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA), Brazil
• Université de Lille (ULille), France
• Université de Rouen (UR), France

The Committee for Sustainability is responsible for creating the necessary basis to ensure the continuity of the consortium's activities after the end of the EBW+ project, and especially after the end of the European Commission's funding, through the following activities:

1. Search for financing opportunities;
2. Development of the necessary aspects so that the institutions involved can implement future joint cooperation activities.

The actions of the Committee for Sustainability include:

1. Contacting Brazilian agencies and institutions to ensure their involvement in the EBW+ sustainability strategy;
2. Promote the establishment of contacts and links between Brazilian partners and associates, promoting the development of future synergies between them;
3. Encourage the signing of cotutelle agreements for doctoral students and explore possibilities of internship in the host country;
4. Organize activities, meetings, workshops and training events for Brazilian EBW+ partner and associate institutions;
5. Collect and disseminate information on possibilities of development outside the EBW+ project;
6. Implement questionnaires to measure the impact of mobilities and share with partner universities;
7. Use the project newsletter to disseminate project activities.

Cooperation between Brazil and Germany is funded by institutions that normally work in partnership in the organization of mobility or research grant programs and scientific events. The list with the names and acronyms of the main institutions involved can be checked below:

• Capes: Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazilian agency attached to the Ministry of Education (MEC) of Brazil.
• CNPq: National Council of Scientific and Technological Development, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTI) of Brazil.
• DAAD: German Exchange Service.
• AvH: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
• CDEA: Center for European and German Studies hosted by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS) funded by the DAAD.

The following programs and organizations finance international cooperation actions between institutions in Brazil and Germany:

• PROBRAL

The PROBRAL program supports joint research projects developed by Brazilian and German groups linked to Higher Education and/or research Institutions. The program is the result of the partnership between Capes and DAAD (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Capes/Humboldt

The Capes/Humboldt Research Grants Program is an initiative of Capes in cooperation with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) of Germany with the objective of granting scholarships to highly qualified researchers, employed or not in research or education institutions in Brazil in all areas of knowledge (source: Capes). Information available here.  

• DAAD Grant

The German Exchange Service/DAAD, in cooperation with Capes, CNPq and FAPESP, offers a short-term research grant program in Germany for doctoral students with scholarships in Brazil (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Capes Doctorate/DAAD/CNPq

Scholarship program for full doctorate, doctorate mobility and doctorate with cotutelle in Germany. The program is carried out by Capes in cooperation with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) (source: Capes). Information available here.

• CDEA

In April 2017, the first Center for European and German Studies (CDEA) of the Southern Hemisphere was inaugurated in Porto Alegre by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). The CDEA funds research between the two countries, and postgraduate mobility, in areas related to the humanities (social and political sciences, linguistics, law, urbanism, among others). Calls can be tracked on the website.

• NoPa

The NoPa Program promotes the support and promotion of scientific exchange between Brazilian and German research groups and the academic mobility between the two countries (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Program of German Language Teaching Assistant for Institutional Projects – GTA

Institutions interested in receiving a German Language Teaching Assistant (who will be a German DAAD Scholar) are expected to submit institutional projects lasting up to four consecutive years, including the inclusion of a native speaker, as a teaching assistant in bachelor's and licenciatura courses in German Language and Brazilian Universities that offer, in their Language Centers, German classes (source: Capes). Information available here.

• BRAGECRIM

The Bragecrim (Brazil-Germany Initiative for Collaborative Research in Manufacturing Technology) program aims to support and finance joint research projects between Brazilian and German research groups in the area of advanced manufacturing technology (Source: Capes). Information available here.

• BRAGFOST

BRAGFOST (Brazil-Germany Symposium on Frontiers of Science and Technology) is a program supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Symposium aims at developing and cultivating new frontiers of research and to deepen international and interdisciplinary knowledge (Source: Capes). Information available here.

Cooperation between Brazil and France is funded by institutions and bodies that normally work in partnership in the organization of scholarship or research grant programs and scientific events. The list with the names and acronyms of the main institutions involved can be checked below:

• Capes: Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, attached to the Ministry of Education (MEC) of Brazil.
• CNPq: National Council of Scientific and Technological Development, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTI) of Brazil.
• Campus France
• ENA: Ecole Nationale d’Administration

The following programs and organizations finance international cooperation actions between institutions in Brazil and France:

• Capes/BRAFITEC

The program consists of joint projects for student formation and exchange in all engineering specialties, exclusively at the undergraduate level, to foster exchange in both countries and stimulate the approximation of curricular structures, including equivalence and mutual recognition of credits (Source: CAPES). Information available here.

• Capes/BRAFAGRI

The program consists of projects of university partnerships in agronomic, agrifood and veterinary sciences, related disciplines, exclusively at the undergraduate level, to foster exchange in both countries and stimulate the approximation of curricular structures, including equivalence and mutual recognition of credits obtained from participating institutions (source: CAPES). Information available here.

• Capes/COFECUB

Program of joint research funding and study missions for sandwich doctorates and postdoctoral internship (source: CAPES). Information available here.

• Capes/EMBRAPA/Agrópolis Foundation

The program is the result of an agreement signed between Capes and the Agrópolis Foundation, with the participation of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Its thematic coverage encompasses interdisciplinary and integrated approaches that include increasing demand for plant products and by-products for food and non-food applications, the interaction between climate change and agricultural crops, and preventing and managing crop-related risks (source: CAPES). Information available here.

• MATH-AmSud

Regional cooperation program in science and technology in which France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela participate. The goal of the program is to implement joint projects in order to promote and strengthen collaboration and the creation of research and development networks in the field of mathematics (source: Capes). Information available here.

• STIC/AMSUD

STIC AmSud is a regional cooperation program in science and technology in which France, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela participate. The objective of the program is to implement joint projects in order to promote and strengthen collaboration and the creation of research and development networks in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) (source: Capes). Information available here.

• FAPs/INRIA

The French agency for research in Informatics and Automation INRIA launches notices with the Brazilian State Foundations of Support to create and promote "Équipes Associées", French-Brazilian research groups, for four-year research projects. Support includes mobility for researchers. Information available here.  

• EIFFEL

Financing of doctoral mobility in France for a thesis on cotutelle or co-orientation in science, law, economics and administration. Information available here.

• ENA

There are some specific opportunities for Brazilians at the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA). Information available here.

Cooperation between Brazil and Spain is funded by institutions and bodies that normally work in partnership in the organization of scholarship programs or research support and scientific events. The list with the names and acronyms of the main institutions involved can be checked below:

• Capes: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, attached to the Ministry of Education (MEC) of Brazil.
• CNPq: National Council of Scientific and Technological Development, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTI) of Brazil.
• Santander Universitites.

The following programs and organizations finance international cooperation actions between institutions in Brazil and Spain:

• Capes/DGPU

The program aims to support the exchange between Brazilian and Spanish teaching and research institutions through the mobility of Brazilian and Spanish teachers, researchers and postgraduate students, aiming at the consolidation, expansion and internationalization of higher education institutions and Institutes or centers of public research and development in Brazil. This support is achieved through the opening of a selection process for joint research projects and workshops in all areas of knowledge (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Pro-Uni – Salamanca

The ProUni – Salamanca program provides support to low-income Brazilian students, for the first graduation at the University of Salamanca (Spain). Capes finances the preparatory study period for the admission exams to the University of Salamanca and the first semester of the chosen course, after this period Banco Santander – Santander Universities will be responsible for funding the rest of the course (source: Capes). Information available here.  

• Santander Ibero-American Program

Program funded by Santander Universities in partnership with Brazilian higher education institutions that have existing agreements with Portuguese, Spanish and Latin American institutions. Information available here.

The cooperation between Brazil and Portugal is financed by institutions and bodies that normally work in partnership in the organization of scholarship programs or support to research and scientific events. The list with the names and acronyms of the main institutions involved can be checked below:

• Camões Institute of Cooperation and Language
• Capes: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, attached to the Ministry of Education (MEC) of Brazil.
• CNPq: National Council of Scientific and Technological Development, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTI) of Brazil.
• INL: Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
• FCT: Foundation for Science and Technology
• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
• Santander Universitites

The following programs and organizations finance international cooperation actions between institutions in Brazil and Portugal:

• Capes/FCT

The program aims at approving joint research projects between Brazilian and Portuguese educational institutions. Projects of all areas of knowledge can be registered, provided that the purpose is the exchange, the mobility researchers, teachers and postgraduate students and that contribute to the expansion and internationalization of their institutions (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Capes/International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

The program aims at stimulating and supporting the execution of special research projects, which can not be carried out exclusively in Brazil, allowing the access of Brazilian science, technology and innovation institutions, researchers, students and companies to the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), aiming at the development of research in the area of Nanotechnology, using the installed capacity, human resources and infrastructure available in that institution and other entities associated with it, stimulating further the formation of highly qualified human resources at the level of Post-graduate studies (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Camões Scholarship – Institute of Cooperation and Language

Camões I.P. develops a set of scholarship programs that allow the learning of Portuguese in specific contexts, namely in the field of Language and Cooperation. The Scholarship programs of Camões I.P. are intended to support and promote: study and research in the area of Portuguese language and culture; the scientific and professional training in the area of teaching Portuguese, non-mother language; the training or the improvement in the area of translation and interpretation of conferences (source: Camões - ICL). Information available here.

• Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Scholarships

Individual scholarships, particularly in advanced training, in the following areas: applied scientific and technological research; artistic qualification and improvement; research in Portuguese culture for foreigners; valorisation of human resources in the PALOP and Timor-Leste; Armenian Communities; residences (source: Gulbekian Foundation). Information available here.

• Professional development program for teachers (FDPP)

Aims to select supervising fellows from the Institutional Program of the Initiation to Teaching Scholarship (Pibid) and students of the National Plan for Teacher Training (Parfor) to participate in professional development courses at the Portuguese universities of Aveiro and Porto, in the areas of Pedagogy, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Portuguese Language (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Santander Luso Brasileiras Program

Program funded by Santander Universities in partnership with Brazilian higher education institutions that have existing agreements with Portuguese institutions. Information available here.

Cooperation between Brazil and Sweden is funded by institutions and bodies that normally work in partnership in the organization of scholarship programs or research support and scientific events. The list with the names and acronyms of the main institutions involved can be checked below:

• Capes: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazilian agency attached to the Ministry of Education (MEC) of Brazil.
• CNPq: National Council of Scientific and Technological Development, linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications (MCTI) of Brazil.
• Sida: Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency.
• SI: Swedish Institute.
• STINT: Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education.

The following programs and organizations finance international cooperation actions between institutions in Brazil and Sweden:

• Capes/STINT

Program governed by mutual interest between Capes and the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT) to support research in the various areas of knowledge, with a view to scientific exchange between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Brazil and Sweden, aiming at the formation of high level human resources in both countries (source: Capes). Information available here.

• Linnaeus Palme

Linnaeus-Palme is a Swedish exchange program for undergraduate and master's students and teachers. The goal is to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions in Sweden and in developing countries. Information available here.

At the graduate level, the "simple" mobility of the doctoral student who does part of his research in another country is common and, in a way, part of the routine of the researcher working at an international level. The cotutelle (double degree at doctorate level) enhances the student's experience: she benefits from co-guidance, devotes more time at the host university, presents the thesis in front of a mixed jury, acquires a much deeper knowledge and gets a degree in each of the two institutions.

This set of factors leads to the formation of a doctor, but also to a more enduring approximation of entire research groups of the two institutions, starting with the advisers, and probably involving younger students (undergraduates, students in scientific initiation). The cotutelle also qualifies the PhD program at the home university, since it is the whole graduate program that is evaluated through the agreement that relates it to the international partner. Finally, obtaining two diplomas facilitates the possible continuity of the researcher's career as a PhD in both countries.

In the framework of EBW+ project, from the 41 PhD mobilities, 7 cotutelles have been signed until July 2017.

In the 3^rd edition of the project Newsletter (March/2016), EBW+ published a dossier on cotutelles. Find out more here.

Double degrees are institutional level agreements where two institutions recognize for a certain formation that a majority of their teaching units (e.g. 2/3 of a formation) are equivalent, and agree to award their two distinct degrees to a student who would study this acknowledged common part, plus the differentiated credits in both institutions, through a mobility period usually longer than for standard credit mobility. Both degrees issued refer to each other to make it explicit that the student has combined two original formations, without simply repeating each one.

In terms of equivalency of curricula, Double Degrees represent a strategic intermediate stage between Joint Degrees, where two HEIs merge their curricula to award a unique degree, and (individual) Credit Recognition obtained through mobility. Such agreements result in increased and improved mobility: students are more motivated, the issue of credit recognition is solved before the mobility, and the institutional impact is longstanding.

The Erasmus + program was launched in 2013 with its first projects approved in 2014. Full information on the project is available here.

Check the list of approved projects involving Brazilian EBW+ partners until July 2017:

• Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)
  1. Université Nice Sophia Antipolis
  2. University of Patras

• Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
  1. Università Ca'Foscari, Venice
  2. Université de Rennes 1, France
  3. University of Malta, Malta
  4. École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Paris-La Villette, France

CAPES has announced in March-April 2017 a new funding program to internationalize the research and graduate studies in Brazilian universities, called “Mais Ciência, Mais Desenvolvimento” – MCMD (More Science, More Development). Based on the analysis of Science without Borders, MCMD would enable each university to obtain from CAPES its own local funding to foster its international partnerships.

The funding would be allowed for five years, and based on an institutional strategic plan of internationalization. The funded activities would include, but not be restricted to, student mobility (at Masters and PhD level). Visiting professors, organization of international events, funding of scientific activities on the whole, would be possible.

CAPES would launch the call for proposals in September, 2017. The universities would answer before the end of November. The activities would start in March, 2018. Brazilian HEIs have already concluded a preliminary phase that consisted in informing a long survey on our universities’ internationalization process, meant to help CAPES to dimension its soon-to-be-launched call.

It is important to note that undergraduate student mobility would be almost totally outside of the scope of this new program.

EBW+ Project Final Meeting	20-21 November 2017
Second EBW+ Staff Training Days	22-24 November 2017
Conclusion of the last EBW+ mobility flows	14 January 2018
Closure of the EBW+ Project	14 January 2018
Issue of EBW+ Final Publication	February 2018
Submission of final report	14 March 2018

The partnership will organise in November the final meeting of the EBW+ project. Almost four years after the beginning of the activities, representatives of the 20 partner institutions and of the 12 associate institutions will meet to discuss the achievements of the EBW+ project and the future of the partnership.

Since 2014, a total of 153 scholarships was awarded to Brazilian students, researchers and members of staff of more than 35 Higher Education Institutions in Brazil. The partnership organised several events among which two editions of the Welcoming Days in Porto for scholarship holders, two Staff Trainings and two consortium meetings. These are only some of the real outcomes of the EBW+ project that will be discussed during the event.

The final meeting will take place in Brasília, on the 20-21 November 2017.

The Universidade do Porto and the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, coordinating institutions of the EBW+ project, are organizing the 2^nd edition of the Staff Training EBW+ that will take place on the 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th of November 2017, in Brasília, Brazil. After the success of the 1^st edition at Universidade Federal de Lavaras (UFLA), in June 2016, this second edition will be the opportunity to focus on new topics like Erasmus+ or Double Degrees. Save the dates!

With origins dating back to the XVIII century, the University of Porto is currently one of the most prestigious Higher Education Institutions of Europe.
Close to 32.000 students, 2.400 teachers and researchers along with 1.600 administrative staff attend its 15 schools and 60 scientific research units, spread across 3 university campuses located in the city of Porto.

With 14 faculties and a Business school, the University of Porto provides an exceptional variety of courses, covering the whole range of study areas and all levels of higher education.

The quality of its teaching staff (81% of which PhDs) ensures a high quality of training that makes the University of Porto the most sought-after University in Portugal and the chosen university for candidates with highest grades.

Around 3.700 international students, from 111 different countries, attend the University of Porto each year. Half of them arrive through international cooperation agreements and the other half are students that choose attending a full-time programme at the University of Porto

The University of Porto is the biggest producer of Science in Portugal, responsible for 23% of the Portuguese articles indexed each year in the ISI Web of Science.
In fact, the University of Porto has some of the most productive and internationally renowned Portuguese R&D centers. Over half of its research units were classified as “Excellent” or “Very Good” by the latest international evaluations.

The innovation produced at the University of Porto has also led to the development of several new technologies and businesses.
The University has 128 active patents and the University’s Science and Technology (UPTEC) serves as incubator for more than one hundred startup companies, responsible for creating more than 900 new jobs in the region.

These are some of the reasons for the University of Porto being the Portuguese institution with the best scores in all the major international rankings for higher education and scientific research, which ranked the University of Porto as one of the 350 best universities in the world.

 

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Porto is also the largest city of Northern Portugal.

The Historic Centre of Porto is one of the most attractive entertainment venues for visitors, providing a rich variety of monuments and ordinary dwelling, from different periods stretching back as far as the 14^th century. The city of Porto and its river, Douro, cannot be dissociated. The Douro valley, with its lovely terraces of vineyards clinging to the hillsides, is the kingdom of the famous Port Wine and offers visitors spectacular views.

Porto is the center of a culturally and naturally rich region that gathers together history, arts and nature (sea and mountains); it is a perfect starting point for tourist excursions.

For all of this and much more, Porto was elected in 2013, 2014 and 2017 the European Best Destination.

Porto is a city where its history can be found in a small street or in a dialogue with its inhabitants.

In recent years, UNESCO recognized Porto historic center as a World Heritage Site. Among the architectural highlights of the city, the Oporto Cathedral is the oldest surviving structure, together with the small Romanesque Church of Cedofeita, the Gothic Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), the remnants of the city walls and a few 15^th-century houses. The baroque style is well represented in the city in the elaborate gift work interior decoration of the churches of St. Francis and St. Claire (Santa Clara), the churches of Mercy (Misericórdia) and of the Clerics (Igreja dos Clérigos).

The neoclassicismo and romanticism of the 19^th and 20^th centuries also added interesting monuments to the landscape of the city, like the magnificent Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa), the Santo António Hospital, The Municipality, the buildings in the Avenida dos Aliados, the tile-adorned São Bento Train Station and the gardens of the Crystal Palace (Palácio de Cristal).

Porto has several museums, concert halls, theaters, cinemas, art galleries, libraries and book shops. The best-known museums of Oporto are the Soares dos Reis National Museum  (Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis) which is dedicated especially to the Portuguese artistic movements from the 16^th to the 20^th century, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Serralves Foundation ( Museu de Arte Contemporânea).

The city concert halls are of a rare beauty and elegance. The Coliseu do Porto, by the Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco, is an exquisite example of the Portuguese decorative arts and seen by many as one of the best and most elegant concert halls in Europe. Other notable venues include the Rivoli theatre, Batalha cinema and the more recent Casa da Música. The Guardian elaborated a list of world’s top bookshops, featuring Lello bookshop in third.

We are waiting for your visit!

Malta is a Southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea, 80 km South of Sicily  and 333 km North of Libya. The capital of Malta is Valetta.

The Maltese archipelago consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Malta covers just over 316 kmsq and has a population of 420.000 inhabitants, making it one of the world's smallest and most densely populated countries.

There are two official languages: Maltese and English. Malta is member of the European Union and of the Schengen Area. Its official currency is Euro.

See images of Malta and of UM in the video below.

The City of Lavras was founded around the year of 1720. Located in Southern Minas Gerais, Lavras has great potential for Adventure Sports tourism. The city has the support of Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA (Federal University of Lavras), Instituto Adventista de Ensino (Adventist Education Institution), Faculdade Presbiteriana Gammon - FAGAMMON (Gammon Presbyterian College) and Centro Universitário de Lavras - UNILAVRAS (University Center of Lavras) that, together, offer the best undergraduate and graduate courses.

The city is strategically located near the capital of Minas Gerais and historical centers. In the region, we find many natural attractions such as waterfalls, rivers, lakes, reservoir and mountains.

In the municipality we can find: the Rosário Church, with 280 years of age and baroque rococo stile, the natural history and Bi Moreira museums, the ecological park Quedas do Rio Bonito (Rio Bonito Falls), Dr. Augusto Silva Square, with handicraft fair, bars and restaurants that offer the best gastronomy of Minas Gerais.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

BALDWIN LOCOMOTIVE - of the year of 1920, it is one of the first locomotives that acted in Lavras and is now situated at the Dr. José Esteves Square, where it is a history mark of the railroad in Lavras, great tourist attraction for all, in addition to presenting the opportunity for taking many pictures.

Locomotive - Dr. José Esteves Square

INSTITUTO PRESBITERIANO GAMMON (GAMMON PRESBYTERIAN INSTITUTE) - Located at the Dr. Jorge Square, its activities in Lavras were initiated in February 1^st of 1893, with a few students. The work at the Institute progressed, meeting the many areas of education, as well as other activities concerning agriculture by means of the Agricultural School of Lavras, known today as UFLA.
It presents beautiful buildings for visitation at the Chácara and Carlota Kemper Campi.

Lane Morton Auditorium

Administration Building (Campus Chácara)

Campus Kemper

UFLA CAMPUS - The University campus ocupies an area of 600 hectares (6,000,000 m2), with didactic-pedagogical departments, laboratories, specialized library, area for crop cultivation and animal raising, museums, publisher, radio and TV stations, accommodations, restaurants and cafeterias, multiple sports gymnasium, football (soccer) stadium, country club for students, banking and post-office agencies, hotel, printing shop, day care and medical, dental and psychological cooperatives.

  

LAVRAS SHOPPING - It has two theater rooms, food court, beauty salon and many clothes and decoration shops. Lavras Shopping also hosts cultural, artistic and technical-scientific events year round.

Lavras Shopping Garden

FUNIL LAKE - It is one of the main tourist attractions in the city, where the Funil Hydro-Electric Power Plant is located.

Funil Reservoir near the Power Plant

Funil Reservoir - Near Macaia

RAFTING - Boat ride down the Rio Capivari rapids.

    
Rafting Conductors

SERRA DA BOCAINA - Walk to the highest point.

  
Serra da Bocaina - Partial view

ECOLOGICAL PARK QUEDAS DO RIO BONITO - is located at km 9 of BR 354, being one of the largest green areas in the municipality of Lavras, southern Minas Gerais. The park presents some of the most stunning landscapes of the region. It is a conservation unit of which objectives are:
- Environmental preservation;
- Scientific development;
- Environmental education and leasure.

  
Ecological Park - Walkway and Entrance

TIPUANA TREE - It is one of the oldest trees at Dr. Augusto Silva Square. It immense branches cover a large portion of the square, shading those who seek rest. The Tipuana belongs to the Fabacea family.
It is a rarity, demanding attention from all who walk by. It was planted in 1908, by the illustrious Dr. Bernardino Macieira.
Location: Dr. Augusto Silva Square, in front of the banks.
 
Tipuana Tree and Crafts Fair

IPÊS WATERFALL - Situated in the municipality of Lavras, at the access road to the Itirapuã Community, in the direction of Itumirim, the Ipês Waterfall is more commonly known as Cruzes Waterfall. It is one of the newest natural attractions of the area, presenting an exuberant waterfall and landscape. It is located at approximately 13 km from the center of Lavras.

             
Ipês Waterfall

CULTURE HOUSE - This location was used for many years as the Forum, City Council and City Hall, as well as Public Library, Culture Superintendence, Military Junta and others.
Currently it used as Artisan House, Culture Superintendence, Social Wellfare Secreteriat and Military Junta.
The building was acquired by the municipality in 1907, was restored in 1984 and transformed into the Culture House, in homage to the founder of the Bi Moreira Museum, journalist Silvio do Amaral Moreira, 1912-1994.
Location: Sant´Ana Street with Desembargador Alberto Luiz Street, 111.
   
Culture House

FUNIL COMMUNITY - Located at approximately 14 km from the center of Lavras, it is a pleasant place to enjoy the landscape, go camping, diving, boat riding, on walks and experience the food from Minas Gerais in local bars.
Its access is through the Zona Norte Neighborhood, going through COHAB.
 
Funil Community and Leasure Area

MERCÊS CHURCH - This church is a great place to prey and participate of the many activities developed. It is located at the Dona Josefina Square. The church is a community belonging to the Sant´Ana Parish.

Mercês Church - Dona Josefina Square

ROSÁRIO CHURCH - The largest historic patrimony of Lavras, it is located at Dr. Augusto Silva Square. It houses a large variety of paintings and wood carvings. The construction is dated from 1754, with one of the Baroque stiles, Rococo Baroque. Considered historic patrimony by the IPHAN - Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico Artístico Nacional (Institute of National Artistic Historic Patrimony), in 09/02/1948, registered in the book of Fine Arts.
The church operates for Religious Cults and Sacral Museum.
  
  
Rosário Church

MATRIZ SANT´ANA CHURCH - Built in 1904, the Matriz de Sant´Ana Church is the headquarters for the central Parish of Lavras. The chapel and alter are neogothic in wood with golden details, in addition to many plaster images and Corinthian chapitels on the Greek cross pillars and arch bracings. The ceiling, in barrel vault, in made of PVC and structured in wood.
    
Matriz de Sant´Ana Church

NOSSA SENHORA AUXILIADORA CHURCH - It is located at Custódio Moreira Street at the Zona Norte Neighborhood, near the Comendador José Esteves Square.
The church performs many festivities, among which is the celebration for the Patroness Day (Dia da Padroeira).
       
Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora Church

BI MOREIRA AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS - ­Considered one of the most eclectic of the region, it presents a rich acquis peaces distributed in rooms University Museum, Lavras, Medical Sciences, Wars and Revolutions, Home, Sound and Communication, Anthropology and Weaving.
Located at the UFLA historic campus.
Contact for visitation: (35) 3821-8878 / 3829-1205
     
Bi Moreira Museum and Museum of Natural History

DR. AUGUSTO SILVA SQUARE - Located at the heart of Lavras, near the Banks and Hotels, the Dr. Augusto Silva Square brings tranquility and gentle and hospitable people, guarding the history and culture of Lavras. The square has a large variety of tree species, highlighting the Centenarian Tipuana and Imperial Palm trees.
At the center of the square there is a fountain that enchants our tourists, in addition to the bandstand that receives many artists from Lavras and region.
On Sundays, there is a typical crafting fair, in which are offered the most varied products and services, such as local crafts and typical products of culinary from Minas Gerais.
   
Dr. Augusto Silva Square

OLARIA FISHING AREA - Old road from Lavras to Itumirim.

EXPOSITION PARK - Location in which agriculture and livestock as well as industrial expositions occur annually. Highway 265, Lavras - São João Del Rei.

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRJ has three campi: Cidade Universitária, Praia Vermellha and Macaé, comprising institutes, schools, faculties and supplementary units, which include seven museums, among which we can highlight the National Museum, eight university hospitals, and the third largest ocean basin in the world for research on offshore oil exploration.

National and internationally recognized by the high quality of teaching as well as by its commitment to research, the UFRJ is the quintessential higher education institution of its region, leading in every international ranking, such as QS and Times Higher Education. UFRJ academic excellence spreads over a broad range of fields of study.
Moreover, COPPEAD, the UFRJ Graduate Business School, is the only business school in Latin America listed in the Financial Times global ranking among the world’s top 100.

The university has partnerships with several national and multinational enterprises, some of which have facilities on the very UFRJ campi. It is the case of Petrobras, whose biggest research center is located on Cidade Universitária campus. Following a global trend, the UFRJ establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with institutions from all continents, which now amounts to over 200 international institutions all over the world.

Infrastructure (libraries, internet, etc)

The UFRJ has 41 libraries, in which the students can access books, monographs, thesis and dissertations, rare and old books, among others. All bibliographic material of the university can be looked for on the Minerva Database, through the website http://www.minerva.ufrj.br/.
Most academic unities of the UFRJ are equipped with informatics laboratories, providing free access to the internet, besides having free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Some academic units of the UFRJ have an academic center, which is a student’s body that represents their interest inside the university. The academic centers promote debates, thematic weeks, freshmen receptions and organize political actions among the students, besides hosting cultural activities, such as book fairs and parties.

Why UFRJ?

Long-standing prestige. The history of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) dates back to the begining of the XIXth century and is filled with remarkable scientific, cultural and artistic accomplishments.

Excellence. 3^rd best university i Brazil and the 4^th best in Latin America (QS Rankings)

Localization. Located inside the Wonderful City, the UFRJ promotes science, culture and arts under the gaze of the Christ Redeemer and next to the Sugar Loaf.

Democratic. The UFRJ is open to students coming from all socioeconomic backgrounds, and gives a huge contribution towards universalization of higher education in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro, the Wonderful City, has much more to offer than the beauty of its natural features and the rhythm of Carnival, which represent Brazil all over the world.

Rio de Janeiro distinguishes itself in the Brazilian and Latin American scenario by its academic excellence. Some of the best universities in the country are located in the city and its surroundings.

Rio is also one of the most relevant research centers on energy in the world and hosts several companies and laboratories dedicated to Research & Development, which are mainly located at the UFRJ Science Park or on Cidade Universitária campus.

As the exchange student’s life is much more than studies, it is worth mention that the combination of geographic characteristics – the sea, the mountains, and the forest – with the human presence makes Rio de Janeiro a unique, incomparable city. Each spot of the city turns into an overlook, and with the “carioca” contagious joy, everything is reason to party.

Besides samba and the traditional Carnival, Rio exhales music of all genres and hosts several internationally renowned music festivals, art exhibitions, theatre and much more.

UniEVANGÉLICA  Centro Universitário de Anápolis is the largest and oldest educational institution maintained by  Evangelical Education Association AEE, founded on March 31 - 1947, and houses the first three undergraduate courses in the countryside of the state of Goiás, which are Pedagogy, founded in 1961, Law, founded in 1969, and Dentistry, founded in 1971.

It is considered a reference in the regional setting, both for its educational quality and for its strategic geographic location, attracting many students not only from the Central West region, but from all regions of the country. Currently, there are twenty-five(25) undergraduate courses in operation: seventeen (17) courses that offer a bachelor’s degree, one(1) that offer a licentiate degree, and seven (7) that offer a technology degree, as well as sixty-one (61) graduate programs lato sensu and one (1) institutional Master’s Program.

UniEVANGÉLICA is considered one of the best universities in Goiás, and has outstanding infrastructure with excellent libraries, modern laboratories and highly qualified faculty. Characterized by history and tradition, UniEVANGÉLICA offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to over 14,000 students. It aims to prepare our students to develop leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for the innovating and competitive employment world.

Anápolis is located in the state of Goiás, in the Central-West region of Brazil. The estimated population is 350.000. The city’s altitude of 1,017 meters (3,336 ft.) and is located on a plateau, one of the highest in Brazil. The climate is mild without extremes and it is generally cooler than the surrounding cities. Anápolis lies in the center of a rich agricultural region and has become a leader in food processing and in pharmaceutical industry.

After Goiânia, the state’s capital, Anápolis is the most developed city in Goiás. It also has the fastest developing industrial sector with several high-tech companies in the Central Region of Brazil.

Anápolis stands out because of its educational infrastructures, with several public and private, primary and secondary schools, universities and colleges, and among them UniEVANGÉLICA stands out.

The Brasilian Air Force operates one of its most important bases here, protecting the country’s capital, Brasília, as well as being an important element of the SIVAM project, the Amazon vigilance system.

 

The Federal University of Roraima – UFRR, which was implemented in 1989, has been the first Institution of Higher Education to be settled in the state of Roraima. It currently counts with three campuses: Paricarana, Cauamé and Murupu.

Throughout 27 years, UFRR has been producing and disseminating knowledge, working on continuous search for standards of excellence and relevance in teaching, research and extension, renewing its mission of contributing to the development of the State, suggesting solutions to the Amazon challenges, stimulating interaction between the people of the border area and raising the quality of life in the region.

Besides the Secondary School (CAp) and the Agro-technical School (EAgro), it has 50 undergraduate courses in several areas of knowledge. It offers 12 Masters Programs: Agronomy, Anthropology, Physics, Chemistry, Natural Resources, Languages, Geography, Regional Development of the Amazon, Health Sciences, Society and Borders, Professional Masters in Mathematics on National Network, and The Masters in Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer for Innovation. It also has four PhD Programs: Agronomy, Natural Resources and Biodiversity, Biotechnology of Legal Amazon and Education in Sciences and Mathematics.

It currently has nucleuses and research units, such as: Legal Practice and Human Rights, Amazon Center for Researches in International Relations (NAPRI),  Natural Resources (NUREN); Biofactory; Socio-Environmental History (NUHSA); Comparative Studies for the Amazon and the Caribbean (NECAR); Semiotic Studies for the Amazon (NUPS); Foreign Languages Studies (NUCELE); Energy Researches (NUPENERG), Electoral Researches and Amazon Policies (NUPEPA), Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development Studies (NEEDS), ObservaRR, Technological Innovation (NIT) and Distance Education (NEAD).

It also has the Insikiran Institute of Indigenous Qualification - Insikiran, responsible for one of the most innovative projects in the country: intercultural qualification for indigenous teachers. The Construir Accessibility Nucleus has been created in order to provide positive actions and discussions about inclusion.

UFRR offers scholarship programs in the areas of education (Monitoring, Academic Mobility and Tutoring Education - PET), research (PIBIC, PIBIC Jr., CIIP) and extension (Knowledge connections, internship, food, urban transport).

According to extension activities, UFRR has been contributing to the socialization of the knowledge produced in the communities, linking them to the national and regional reality and integrating them to the needs of society as a whole. UFRR programs and extension projects are present in all the municipalities of Roraima. Other important initiatives: the University Restaurant and the University Residence.
It is worth mentioning that the structure of our three libraries (Paricarana, Cauamé and Murupu), totaling more than 130,000 items, including books, periodicals, graduate works, among other materials.

Another highlight is the UFRR Publishing House and Bookstore, which was created on 29/11/2002 (Resolution Cuni No. 011 / 2002). It is linked to the Vice-President Office and aims to encourage and promote the publication and the scientific, technical, didactic and artistic production at UFRR and the region. In a few years of existence it has already published and sold more than 200 works by local authors.

Source: the Federal University of Roraima website.
Available at:
http://ufrr.br/index.php/a-ufrr/historico.  

With only 28 years of creation, Roraima is the northernmost state of the Brazilian federation. Roraima Mount, the main tourist spot in the state, from which received its name, calls attention not only by its geographical location inside the triple border between Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela, but also the mystic, untouched and unexplored beauty.

Roraima is the least populous state in Brazil. It has 450,479 inhabitants. According to the 2010 census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), it has, in proportional numbers, the largest indigenous population in the country, totaling 49,637 people. Roraima territory is about 46.37% demarcated on indigenous areas. It houses 34 indigenous communities such as Macuxi, Wapichana, Ingarikó, Patamona, Sapara, Taurepang, Wai-Wai, Yanomami and Yekuana, according to the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR).

Its economy is mainly based on the tertiary sector with a high rate of growth, although its gross domestic product (GDP) is the lowest in the country, representing 0.15% of the Brazilian economy. Roraima is located in the northern Amazon, where the Amazon Forest predominates. There is still a huge range of tilled.

Many natural beauties, rich fauna and diverse flora attract tourists to Roraima in order to observe birds and walk around Tepequém Mountain, Caracaranã Lake, Grande Mountain and the border with Venezuela and Guyana.

Its capital city is Boa Vista, the only one in Brazil located entirely in the northern hemisphere. The city is only 126 years old. It stands out by its radially organized urban plan, planned in the period between 1944 and 1946 by the civil engineer Darcy Aleixo Derenusson. Its map shape is similar to a fan, alluding to the streets of Paris, France.

The city is the largest in Roraima and has about two-thirds of the state's inhabitants. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the estimated population was 320,714 inhabitants in 2015.

The people are as welcoming and warm as the equatorial climate - hot and humid. The city is quiet, flat and has many public places for leisure, sports and tourism, which brings tranquility necessary for dedication to studies.

Good concepts of the courses offered by the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) as well as the mobility programs and internationalization of the institution are an attractive for the arrival of students from several Brazilian states and countries from different continents. Currently, the institution has about 10,000 students.

Boa Vista has increased size on the banks of the Branco River, which has a large extension of beach during the summer, which allows the practice of sports such as kayaking, stand up paddle (SUP) and windsurfing. Cycling, running, hiking and other sports are also part of the daily life of city dwellers. Its location, a few hours from Venezuela and Guyana, enables the contact with different cultures and languages.

The main avenues of downtown converge to the Centro Cívico Square Joaquim Nabuco, where the headquarters of the executive, legislative and judicial is located, besides the cultural places (theaters and palaces), hotels, banks, post office and the cathedral. One of these avenues, the Captain Ene Garcez, focuses touristic places such as the Água Square, Millennium Portal, Sports Complex Ayrton Senna, it also provides access to the International Atlas Cantanhede Airport and the Federal University of Roraima. All of them are very close to each other and easily accessible.

The Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) has 103 years of tradition in teaching, research and extension in the state and country. Its secular history is marked at the same time, by its capacity for innovation, seeking to contribute to overcoming environmental problems, and by its sustainable development projects and research involving the agricultural, human, and social sciences.

Inaugurated with the Veterinary Medicine and Agronomy programs, the new profile of the institution includes 59 undergraduate programs, including Business Administration, Economics, Physical Education, Gastronomy, Information Systems, Computer Science and several Engineering programs, on the campus of Recife and the academic units Garanhuns (UAG), Serra Talhada (UAST) and Cabo de Santo Agostinho (UACSA), and distance education. In graduate level, UFRPE stands out in the production of research with 48 master's and doctorate programs.

Since the establishment of the Higher School of Agriculture in 1912, UFRPE has achieved good results due to investments in educational actions, research and outreach projects. The university has more than 1.200 professors, more than 1.000 administrative staff and about 17.000 students. UFRPE has also advanced research stations located in the coastline, in the Zona da Mata, in the Agreste and in the Sertão of Pernambuco. They are: Ecological Tapacurá station in São Lourenço da Mata; Experimental cane sugar season (EECAC) and Experimental Small Animal Station (EEPAC) in Carpina; Cattle clinic Garanhuns (CBG); Irrigated Agriculture Station (EAII) in Ibimirim; and Irrigated Agriculture Station (EAIP) in Parnamirim.

More than 4.000 seats are available annually. The selection is done through the National Secondary Education Examination (Enem), with the Unified Selection System (Sisu). The integration between the student body and the faculty - almost all composed of masters and doctors by prestigious universities - and the intense research activity make the University a center of national excellence in the areas where it operates.
Regarding infrastructure, UFRPE offers the academic community the Central Library (BC), with a collection of over 70.000 volumes, including books and pamphlets, journal titles, films and documentaries. BC is also equipped with digital publications for consultation and other institutional information; computers that allow the operation of equipment through sounds; printer in Braille, and other devices for students with visual limitations.

The structure of the campus Dois Irmãos also features: sports center with semi-olympic pool, indoor court, soccer field and running track; student residence; health services, dental, psychological, laboratorial and clinical analysis, social work and nursing, Veterinary Hospital, which answer 1.200 calls per month, among appointments, tests and surgeries in small and medium-sized animals.

The UFRPE, through the International Cooperation Advisory, establishes relations and inter-institutional cooperation agreements with universities and educational centers in several countries. With projects targeting the exchange of students and professors of different nationalities, UFRPE signs agreements, promotes exchanges and guides the university community about opportunities for partnerships, courses and international events. It also facilitates and encourages the attraction of researchers from other countries for mutual enrichment.

Pernambuco is one of the 27 Brazilian states, known by the diverse landscape, from beautiful beaches to the hinterland scenarios, and also by its rich culture and folklore. With 98.311 square kilometers, it is located in the east center of the Northeast. Its coast is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, and it borders Paraíba, Ceará, Alagoas, Bahia, and Piauí. The archipelago Fernando de Noronha is also part of the ‘pernambucano’ territory, 545 km from the coast. There are 185 municipalities - a total of 8.796.032 inhabitants - and the city of Recife is its capital

Pernambuco is, above all, a state marked by cultural diversity. It has a population that breathes and values ​​its culture, from generation to generation. Not coincidentally, the state is known in the country as one that has the most lively cultural scene, built from the contribution of Indians, Portuguese, Dutch, Jews, Africans, and others. Land of poets, artists and musicians recognized worldwide, not to mention its popular movements and festivities such as Carnival and São João celebrations.

Carnival, for example, is the biggest party. Not only for Pernambuco people, but for all who visit the state at the time of this democratic party – wherever it takes place: at the capital, on the beaches, on the countryside. It has maracatu, the caboclinho, the coco de roda, the ciranda, and the greatest of all representatives - frevo! The pace, by the way, is unique and has its origins in the state itself. At the party, beyond the hills of Olinda, the fervor of Recife Antigo also has the Galo da Madrugada, the world's biggest street block, according to the Guinness Book.

In the countryside, in the Sertão or Agreste, there are other cultural movements. The caretas do Triunfo (600 km from Recife); the Papangus de Bezerros (90km from the capital) promote a big Carnival party in the city's streets.

One of the main economic vocations of the state is the tourism. It generates jobs and income in all regions. There are beautiful beaches, from North to South, monuments, cities, heat and cold. Pernambuco is a rich state that includes everyone and welcomes its visitors with open arms.

Source: www.pe.gov.br

As the result of a separation from the Federal University of Paraiba, in 2002, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG) is today a multi-campuses structured university established in seven cities of the state Paraiba with 1.481 faculty and 1.420 staff members.

UFCG seats in Campina Grande. UFCG provides 94 undergraduate programs to 19.000 undergraduate students in: Engineering/Exact and Earth Sciences (31 programs); Humanities and Social Sciences (42 programs); Biological and Health Sciences (14 programs); and Agrarian  Sciences (7 programs).

40 Graduate Programs (5 professional masters, 23 Masters, 12 PhD) are frequented by 1.742 students (1.078 at Master level and 664 at PhD level). The courses, nationally recognized, are offered in almost all areas:

• Engineering:  Civil and Environmental, Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Process, Electrical (Graduate and Professional)
• Agrarian Sciences: Agriculture, Tropical Horticulture, Forestry Sciences
• Basic Sciences: Physics, Mathematics (Graduate and Professional), Computer Science and Systems, Meteorology, Oil and Mineral Exploration, Design
• Medicine: Veterinary Sciences, Animal Sciences, Natural Sciences and Biotechnology
• Humanities and Social Sciences: Education, Sociology, Language and Education, History, Letters (Professional), Public Administration (Professional)
• Interdisciplinary: Natural Resources, Agribusiness systems (Graduate and Professional).

About 90% of our faculty members are either MSC or PhD (416 MSc and 905 PhD). The areas of Technology (Engineering) and Basic Sciences have the higher percentage.

UFCG has 251 research groups, most of them actively involved in national and international research networks: Agrarian Sciences (31); Biological Sciences (13); Health Sciences (22); Exact Sciences and Earth (25); Humanities (70); Social Sciences (30); Engineering (52); Literature, Letters and Arts (08). These groups are strong players in national and regional research teams and projects particularly on those related to industries, technologies (information, mechanical, materials, chemical, automation, telecommunications, material sciences, computer science and systems, etc.), energy, nanotechnology, desalinization (laboratory reference), biotechnology and to the semiarid region (sociology, sustainable development, animals and plants).

In the North-East of Brazil, one can find the state of Paraiba with 56.470 km² and 3.999.415 inhabitants. Paraiba has two Federal universities – UFPB, since 1955, and UFCG the newer one, created in 2002, plus one State University (UEPB). All of them offer undergraduate and graduate courses. A number of Federal Institutes have been recently created to provide technical courses.

Campina Grande, located at 600 meters high and 110 km from the Atlantic Ocean (East Coast), is the second largest city of the state of Paraiba with 407.754 inhabitants and is the second largest PhD density per inhabitant in Brazil (1/669).

Campina Grande enjoys the reputation of being a technological center and is considered by many as “a high-tech oasis in the North-eastern hinterland”. The American Magazine Newsweek, in its issue of April 30^th 2001 says that the city lodges “one of the most promising technological centers in the world”, and compares it to an oasis: “In the dry badlands of North-eastern Brazil lies an oasis of rain and opportunity”.

Campina Grande: a regional and national center of north-eastern culture, tradition, and crafting, also embracing contemporary artistic manifestations in museums, exhibitions and festivals.

Saint John's Party in June, regarded as the biggest typical festival all over the world:

We would like to present to our EBW+ partners an associate institution in our project - the SGroup European Universities’ Network, a non-for profit association comprising over 30 universities from 15 European countries. The SGroup’s members represent HEIs of strong international reputation in Europe and worldwide, for instance 13 SGroup members are ranked among world’s best in the Shanghai Ranking 2016. The comradery and trust among its SGroup members brought together also five of the SGroup members to form the EBW+ consortium: University of Porto, University of Malta, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Rouen, and the Polytechnic University of Valencia.

The SGroup Network, known also as the Santander Group, has almost 30 years of experience in international relations in higher education both within Europe and beyond. The association created at the launch of the Erasmus Programme had its original objective to strengthen the links between European universities and to build a solid structure for academic mobility in Europe. Over time, SGroup’s activities went global reaching out to Africa, USA, and Latin America for instance by becoming a co-ordinating institution of the flagship EU-LA initiative in academic mobility, the AlBan Programme (2002-2010). The Network continues expanding its global engagement by setting up a Think Tank for China that gives its members access to expertise and contacts in yet another strategic region of co-operation.

Thanks to an active participation in EU-funded Programmes and the commitment of its members, the SGroup has become a dynamic platform for modern, internationally orientated universities with the aim of expanding collaboration opportunities in education through the transfer of knowledge and development of strategic alliances.

The SGroup mission is based on four core areas of co-operation:

1. internationalisation strategy,
2. academic collaboration,
3. academic mobility,
4. and transfer of knowledge.

Specific activities linked to the priority areas are featured in the chart below:

Its mission the SGroup Network implements through the participation in the EU-funded projects, capacity building of its members, and the promotion of academic mobility. Most recently the SGroup Network set up an Inter-Continental Academic Exchange Programme allowing for study visits between European and partner institutions outside Europe to investigate collaboration opportunities. Since 2015 the SGroup Network created a status of associate membership in the SGroup Network available to non-European universities that thanks to this affiliation can benefit from privileged partnerships for projects, access to expertise, and enhanced visibility.

As an associate partner in the EBW+ consortium the SGroup Network ensures the visibility of the project in Europe, channels the project results, promotes further collaboration between LA-EU, and more importantly contributes to the sustainability strategy of the consortium. Partner universities can stay involved in the SGroup Network’s activities formally or informally by joining the Icon Programme, participating in the SGroup’s events and training sessions, and proposing spin-off projects. We would like to encourage EBW+ partners to explore further the existing collaboration options with view of the sustainable measures for our project.

More information about the SGroup Network you can find here: http://www.sgroup.be/

Universidade Regional do Cariri- URCA is a state public university located in the city of Crato, having other campuses in the cities of Juazeiro do Norte, Iguatu, Campos Sales, Santana do Cariri and Missão Velha, being one of the most active institutions for the development of Cariri region since its creation in 1986.

Cariri region or Metropolitan Region of Cariri (RMC) is located in the southern region of Ceara state and in the border region of the states of Pernambuco, Paraíba and Piauí. It is a region that stands out for tourism, its rich history, its archaeological site, commerce and industry, possessing the third largest industrial footwear pole in Brazil.

URCA serves a community of approximately 11,000 students from about 91 municipalities in the states of Ceará, Piauí, Pernambuco and Paraíba, distributed among undergraduate courses, special programs and lato sensu graduate programs.

It is the largest public institution of higher education of Cariri linked to the Higher Education System of the State and to the Secretariat of Science and Technology. During its 30 years, it has formed more than 23 thousand professionals and has a faculty formed by 736 teachers, of which more than 70 % are masters, doctors (Ph.Ds) and post-doctors.

It has nine campuses, three in the municipality of Crato (Pimenta, São Miguel and São Francisco), two in the municipality of Juazeiro do Norte (Crajubar and Pirajá), one in Campos Sales, one in Missão Velha, one in Iguatu and one in Santana do Cariri, where the Museum of Paleontology is located, possessing one of the most important fossile reserves of the Cretaceous Period.

The lato sensu postgraduate course offers a broad portfolio of courses that value professional development and the exchange of experiences among students, while the strictu sensu postgraduate program carries out scientific researches that generate positive results for society as a whole.

In addition, through extension, URCA carries out activities that complement the academic curriculum and promote the professional training of the external community, serving more than 203, 700 people. Among the initiatives that bring the University closer to society are the National Plan for the Training of Basic Education Teachers (PARFOR), inclusion and accessibility projects for people with special needs and the Geopark Araripe project, the largest geopark in Latin America.
URCA’s importance for the Cariri region can be measured by its strategic role in local development, accomplished through the fulfillment of its mission as a producer of knowledge, science, technology and a sensitive participant in social demands and regional culture.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

Biology
Physical Education
Nursing
Production Engineering
Buildings
Topography and Roads
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Law
Economics
Pedagogy
Geography
History
Language Arts
Social Sciences
Visual Arts
Theater

Video transcript:

Dynamic, innovative, inclusive, a university that grows committed to the transformation of social reality. The Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) reaches the age of 50 as the largest knowledge production center in the State. Forming generations of professionals, developing research and encouraging qualification. A university that values its past and invests in the collective construction of a society capable of changing its own destiny. And it is making strides for the development of Maranhão and Brazil.

Founded on October 21, 1966, UFMA originates from the former Faculty of Philosophy, founded in 1953 by the Maranhense Academy of Letters, the Paulo Ramos Foundation and the Archdiocese of São Luís. In addition to the Faculty of Philosophy, the University of Maranhão merged the “São Francisco de Assis" School of Nursing in 1948, the School of Social Service in 1953 and Faculty of Medical Sciences in 1958. The history of UFMA, its relics and its heritage and architectural treasures are on permanent display at the Cristo Rei Memorial, Located in Praça Gonçalves Dias, in the historical center of São Luís.

Over the course of five decades, significant numbers confirm the progress made in all sectors of the university. Today, UFMA has a main campus in São Luís and eight other units installed in the cities of Bacabal, Balsas, Chapadinha, Codó, Grajaú, Imperatriz, Pinheiro and São Bernardo. And more than 50 thousand people, including professors, service providers and undergraduate and graduate students make up the university community.

The University shapes qualified professionals for several areas of knowledge through undergraduate courses in various modalities. Among the institution's professors, more than 90% are masters and doctors. And the team of Administrative Technicians is made up of more than 1,600 professionals. The Federal University of Maranhão counts on more than 35 thousand students in the undergraduate courses, distance learning, special programs and basic training offered by the School of the University, an application school that also offers professional technical courses.

Through extension activities, UFMA reaches the community and develops programs, projects, courses, services and sports and cultural events. The Guarnicê Festival of Cinema and the Maranhense Festival of Choirs, both important occasions in the cultural calendar of the State, are great examples of the permanent practice of interaction between university and society, which value culture and artistic production.

The concern with accessibility and inclusion makes UFMA an institution that is increasingly focused on the care of people with disabilities. The university provides access to academic content with the guidance and assistance of staff in Braille and sign language and the use of machinery appropriate to these students and staff.

The Central Library, with a collection of more than 300 thousand creations was expanded, and the digital library, institutional repositories and free access to the best electronic journals, were implemented. At the same time, the new spaces of the sector libraries, built in academic centers and on the other campuses, guarantee more comfort and agility in assistance.

In 2016, UFMA has a lot to celebrate, with the fully restored and equipped rendition of the Santa Amélia Factory, an important industrial complex of the 19^th Century, adapted to host the Tourism and Hospitality courses, which will contribute to the humanization process of the Historic Center of St. Louis.

The University Restaurant Dom Delgado guarantees quality service to students and staff of the institution, at lunch and dinner. Today more than four thousand meals are offered each day. In this administration, the university restaurants of Pinheiro and Imperatriz were completed as well.

In student assistance, the initiatives reinforce the university's social concern, offering about 2,400 grants in the modalities: school stay, food, housing, dental, transportation, academic focus, urgency and events.

In the year of its fiftieth anniversary, the Federal University of Maranhão has much to celebrate. The institution is among the 20 universities in the Americas that have had the most advances in research activities of high impact in Natural Sciences in the period from 2012 to 2015, according to the Nature Index 2016 ranking, reaching the status of Rising Star. This growth is highly connected to the publications in the area of Physics, which has received great prominence in this ranking. Advances in high-quality scientific production express the leap in research, graduate courses and innovation. There are about 257 research groups that develop studies in all areas of knowledge. UFMA is also notable for the large number of researchers at the CNPq and FAPEMA, with many high-level award winning scientific papers.

In the postgraduate courses, the university provides 29 specializations, 38 master's degrees and 9 doctorates well evaluated by CAPES. 34 registered patents, including one international, guarantee the protection of the intellectual property of researchers at the institution.

A landmark of the bold plan to encourage technological innovation.

The University Hospital of UFMA has the largest structure of human resources for the health networks of the state and two countries. A compound that holds integrated activities of assistance and teaching with medical residences, research and university extension programs. It is the state's premiere hospital in procedures of high complexity. The HUUFMA has three units: President Dutra and Maternal Child, which treat medium and high complexity status and a unit in the Dom Delgado University City for immediate services to the academic community.

The Sousândrade Foundation broadcaster supports the development of UFMA, the University Radio has expanded its range with a powerful transmitter of 10,000 watts, which guarantees more quality in the transmission. The first public TV channel in Maranhão, UFMA TV, operates on digital channel 54.1 and 16 on TVN. Besides being a laboratory for communication students, it contributes to the social, educational, scientific, cultural, artistic and economic development of the region and is an important channel for disseminating the academic universe. It produces its own programming and retransmits content of educative character from TV Culture.

Attuned to the modern tools of the teaching-learning process, UFMA undertakes projects in the area of distance learning, achieving breakthroughs and investing in technology for professional training. The Distance Education Center offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses, very well evaluated by MEC, and fulfills the dream of thousands of people.

UFMA is also part of the Open University of Brazil network, in partnership with SUS. Through UNASUS, training professionals and sharing knowledge with staff members from the Unified Health System of Maranhão and Brazil.

In the year of its fiftieth anniversary, UFMA celebrates with the university community the achievements that make the institution a reference of higher education in the region. A university committed to the democratization of knowledge, with the training of qualified professionals and the development of Maranhão, increasingly strong and ready to reinforce advances and overcome challenges.

UFMA 50 years, 1966-2016.

Video transcript:

Welcome to São Luís! An island surrounded by culture and happy people on all sides! Land of poets, colonial tiles, sun all year long and festivities from January to January.

Prepare your memories for an unforgettable ride, our journey begins now!

Imagine a place whose history has become a patrimony of humanity. A place where culture is a living treasure. A mixture of races, creeds, rhythms, colors and flavors. Discovering São Luís is an adventure full of sensations. From the nostalgia that comes from the belvederes, the imposing mansions, the joy of the popular demonstrations, the city grew preserving its historical identity and encouraging its tourist potential.

The 3,500 colonial mansions of the Historic Center were listed as a patrimony of humanity. Constructions with stones and tiles brought from Portugal and other European countries. The Catholic faith brought by Europeans has built centuries-old churches that are true historical landmarks. They are mansions, squares and streets that fabricate an area of 250 hectares and constitute the largest collection of colonial architecture in Latin America.

Want to know more? Visit!

Whether overlooking the sea or the historic center, the hotel chains have a structure to cater for various customer profiles.

São Luís has no predominant color. On the beaches, during the day, the sun sets the tone.

Every June, Bumba Boi is the festivity most appreciated by tourists and has already become a national heritage, a mark of Maranhão.

The drum of Creole is a pride of Maranhão and a symbol of Brazil, so much so, that it was elected immaterial national patrimony.

At the table, enjoy the sensational colorful gastronomy blessed by the sea.

If you want to see all this up close, you are invited! Here is our culture and our history! Welcome to São Luís do Maranhão! The capital of culture and hospitality!

São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil - World Heritage.

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The University of the State of Amazonas (UEA) is a young, public university, autonomous in its educational policy, whose mission is to promote education, develop scientific knowledge, particularly in the Amazon, and improve the quality of human resources in the Amazon region.

Established by Law No. 2,637, of January 12, 2001, its first action was to hold the entrance exam for 1,930 places in 12 courses offered to conties of Manaus, Parintins and Tefé in the state of Amazonas.

Currently, UEA has more than 26,000 students regularly enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It is considered the largest multi-campus university in Brazil by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes – Brazilian assessment agency) for having academic units distributed in the 62 counties that compose the state.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8opdyWfcZbCSGhDdFZFSEJTakU/view

Created by Law 12,189, of January 12th, 2010, the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA) began its academic activities in August 2010. With innovative characteristics, UNILA is a Brazilian university with an international structure, created with the proposal to promote integration among Latin American countries.

The Institution, based in Foz do Iguaçu, aims at teaching with excellence in undergraduate and postgraduate courses, developing research in the various areas of knowledge and promoting university outreach programs. Its specific institutional mission is to train human resources capable of contributing to Latin American integration, regional development and cultural, scientific and educational exchange in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The student body of UNILA is currently made up of about three thousand five hundred students. The institution has students from various regions of Brazil and other 19 Latin American countries: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador, Haiti, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, the Republic Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Mexico. The teachers are from Brazil and 15 other countries, with representatives from Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The classes are bilingual, taught in Portuguese and Spanish. All the 29 undergraduate courses of the university have, in their curriculum, the Common Cycle of Studies, which includes language content (Portuguese and Spanish); epistemology and scientific methodology; and foundations of Latin America. The Common Cycle lasts three semesters, intersecting courses common to all bachelor programs with the specific subjects of each career.

Interdisciplinarity is a fundamental characteristic of UNILA's bachelor degrees, with the possibility of students passing through several areas of knowledge, respecting their basic training. Thus, the institution does not have departments of undergraduate courses. Careers are grouped in interdisciplinary centers, which make the courses "talk" to each other.

Recognition

UNILA has already had 15 courses evaluated and recognized by the Ministry of Education. Economic Sciences received concept 5 (maximum), another 12 graduations were evaluated with concept 4 and two courses received grade 3. The recognition of the courses is a compulsory process and should be requested by higher education institutions when the first class reaches half of the program total workload.

Extension and research

During this year, UNILA is carrying out 160 extension actions aimed at the regional community. The activities cover several areas, such as health, environment, human rights, cultures and arts, among others. Regarding outreach programs, we highlight the activities in the areas of languages and music.

In the field of scientific research, there are more than 326 research projects coordinated by professors of the institution. The UNILA scientific and innovation initiation programs have 167 scholarship students and 47 volunteers developing research. The participation in these activities of scientific initiation has great importance in the academic formation, because it provides experiences that facilitate the entrance of the students in graduate programs.

Selective process

In all undergraduate courses, UNILA offers half of the vacancies to Brazilian students and half to foreigners.

For Brazilian students, the form of entrance is through the Unified Selection System (Sisu), with the exception of the Music course, which requires proof of specific skills. Both in Sisu and in Music selection the basic condition for registration is that the candidate has participated in the most recent National High School Exam (Enem).

In the selection process for foreign students, the classification is made based on school history referring to the High School of each country. All documents submitted by the candidates are rigorously analyzed by a jury appointed specifically for this purpose.

Read the transcription for the video in English below:

ITAIPU BINACIONAL PRESENTS

There is a place like no other.

A place full of charms and positive energies to make your trip an unforgettable adventure. This is Foz do Iguaçu, destiny of the world. Land of all people, of the cultural diversity of 81 ethnic groups. A complete destination for leisure, events, eco-adventure and shopping. A place where nature made its masterpiece and man's creative force turns dreams into construction.

At the border of 3 countries, on the edge of emotion. Cataratas do Iguaçu, one of the 7 world wonders of nature. Venture on foot or by boat through the beautiful biodiversity of the Iguaçu National Park. Natural heritage of humanity. Impress yourself with more than 275 waterfalls of almost 2800 meters of extension and that throw of up to 80 meters of height.

Both the Brazilian and Argentine sides of the park have excellent infrastructure for tourism. Walk through nature trails and release all your adrenaline on the macucu safari ride. The helicopter ride is breathtaking. Explore all your senses at the bird park. Between flocks of macaws and toucans.And experience the exuberance of the Brazilian fauna.

Discover the new 3-border mark and enjoy the meeting of the waters of the rivers Iguaçu and Parana. Between one adventure and another, do not forget to go to the wax museum and the valley of the dinosaurs. Foz do Iguacu also has a marvel of modern engineering. The hydropower plant of Itaipu. The largest clean and renewable energy generator on the planet.

In itaipu, there are several walks. Admire the magnificent external view of the dam on the panoramic visit. And in the special ciruit, contemplate the concrete cathedrals and feel the pulse of the turbines.

The sunset on the Itaipu lake, on board the catamaran, is one of the most beautiful ones to see. A radical option is the skydive Foz. Double jump of parachutes to 3 thousand meters of altitude that allows to see from the top all grandiosity of Itaipu. Relax in the thermal and medicinal waters of the Guarani aquifer, in resorts and spas with artificial beaches and naturally heated pools and have fun in the thermal water park in itaipulandia.

Enjoy the gastronomy with international standard and the nightly attractions in the bars and casinos of the 3 borders. The region is also a shopping paradise. Enchant yourself with the regional craftsmanship and the innovations of the fashion in the shops and malls of Foz do Iguaçu e Porto Iguaçu.

Foz do Iguaçu is one of the 5 Brazilian cities that most receives national and international events. Especially sports, business and technical-scientific events. The city has one of the largest hotel chains in Brazil. And it stands out for the quality and the traditional cost-benefit ratio.

One of the 10 top destinations in the world in the ranking of Trip Advisor, Foz do Iguaçu has the best tourist services to suit your visitors well. Visitors totaling more than 3 million people per year from all over the world. From far, or close. It does not matter where you come from. All paths have the same direction.

Foz do iguaçu. Come soon. Always come. Come live unforgettable moments. The energy of Foz do Iguaçu awaits you.

https://www.youtube.com/user/VisitPortugal

http://www.unl.pt/sites/default/files/brochuranova20172018_web.pdf

https://intercambio.upv.es/download.php?id=ded757e8c50d885c69451ba9785c930d

http://www.upv.es/organizacion/la-institucion/documentos/folleto-institucional-upv-eng.pdf

http://en.uniroma1.it/sites/sitoen/files/International%20Student%20Guide%202016.pdf