Secretaria de Relações Internacionais | Office of International Relations

In the center, the Cuban Ambassador, Benigno Pérez Fernández, accompanied by Rector Irineu Manoel de Souza and Vice-Rector Joana Célia dos Passos, other UFSC representatives, and his delegation. Photos: DI-GR/SECOM

The Consul General of Cuba in Brazil, Ambassador Benigno Pérez Fernández, made an official visit to the Rector’s Office at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) on 7 November. The meeting marked an important step toward strengthening academic and cultural ties between Brazil and Cuba, with an emphasis on the resumption of historical partnerships that had been interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The delegation was welcomed by Rector Irineu Manoel de Souza, Vice-Rector Joana Célia dos Passos, Head of Rector’s Office Bernardo Meyer, and Secretary for International Relations, Fernanda Leal. Professors Marília Gaia (Department of Animal Science and Rural Development) and Carmen Maria Olivera Muller (Department of Food Science and Technology), both from the School of Agricultural Sciences (CCA), also took part in the meeting, reflecting shared interests between Cuba and Brazil in the agrarian and food production areas, which are strategic for the development of both countries.

During his first visit to Santa Catarina and Florianópolis, Ambassador Pérez Fernández highlighted that his agenda had been carefully planned, prioritizing a visit to the state’s leading higher education institution. The diplomat emphasized the importance of academic cooperation between Cuban and Brazilian universities and proposed the strengthening of partnerships that were suspended during the pandemic. He highlighted that universities in both countries have long maintained strong ties of partnership, communication, and collaboration, and that now is the right moment to renew this cooperation—essential for both nations, especially given the high quality of Brazilian higher education institutions.

UFSC currently maintains formal agreements with three Cuban institutions: the Universidad de La Habana, the Universidad de Oriente, and the Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Santiago de Cuba.

Read the full article here.

On 19 June, the Univesidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) welcomed a delegation from Nankai University, China, for the signing ceremony of a new cooperation agreement between the two institutions.

The event was attended by UFSC’s Director of International Relations, Fernanda Leal; the Prorector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Jacques Mick, the Coordinator of the Institute for Studies on China at UFSC (ICHIN), Prof. Raúl Burgos; the Deputy Coordinator of ICHIN, Prof. Daniel Martins; undergraduate students Letícia Renata de Carvalho (Mechanical Engineering) and Tobias Barcellos (Social Sciences, and Student Affairs Coordinator at ICHIN); and doctoral student Rita Coitinho (Sociology and Political Science). Representing Nankai University were the Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, Prof. Yan Guodong, and the Head of the Department of Portuguese Language, Prof. Hu Jing (Helena).

According to Fernanda Leal, Director of International Relations, strengthening ties with BRICS countries—particularly China—diversifies and reinforces UFSC’s internationalization process, which has, as one of its priorities, the strengthening of relations with the Global South. “The agreement signed with Nankai University is part of a series of initiatives developed in recent years by SINTER, in partnership with ICHIN. UFSC and Nankai University are committed to building strong cooperation in various fields, including in the area of Portuguese as a Foreign Language.”

With the formalization of this agreement, UFSC expands its network of partnerships in Asia, now totaling 15 cooperation agreements with Chinese higher education institutions. The goal is to foster academic, scientific and cultural collaboration, promote student and faculty exchanges, and support the development of joint projects.

From right to left: Diretor of International Relations, Fernanda Leal; Professor Marx Chhay; and Professor Fernanda Fernandes Marchiori.

From 7 to 9 April, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) welcomed Professor Marx Chhay from Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB), France. The visit aimed to strengthen the long-standing academic partnership between the two institutions, which has been active for 11 years.

Over this period, undergraduate student exchanges have taken place, particularly in the Civil Engineering program. UFSC has received 25 students from USMB, while 8 UFSC students have completed exchange periods at the French university. The cooperation has also involved researcher exchanges and bilateral academic visits.

Currently, UFSC and USMB are working together to develop a double degree agreement for Civil Engineering students. The initiative will provide students with an international academic experience that combines complementary curricula and internship opportunities at both institutions – contributing to a well-rounded education in its technical, social and sustainable dimensions.

On 8 April, the Director of International Relations at UFSC, Fernanda Leal, welcomed Professor Marx Chhay and UFSC Civil Engineering Professor Fernanda Fernandes Marchiori  at the Office of International Relations (SINTER), where they discussed the agreement in further detail.

During his visit, Professor Chhay also toured UFSC’s research laboratories and groups from the Department of Civil Engineering. The meetings revealed aligned research interests, particularly in the areas of sustainability and energy. These topics should be the focus of future joint projects.

Representatives of UGent and UFSC.

On 4 December 2024, the Brazilian Embassy in Brussels hosted the “University Cooperation between Belgium and Brazil” event, aimed at strengthening academic ties between the two nations.

Event was held at the Brazilian Embassy in Brussels, Belgium.

The initiative was organized by Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) in partnership with Ghent University (UGent) and drew representatives from both institutions.

UFSC was represented by Professors Arno Dal Ri Jr. and Cristiane Derani, along with doctoral students Kristal Moreira Gouveia, Melissa Mendes de Novais, and Ana Paula Zappellini Sassi, as well as undergraduate student João Hoffmann.

The event focused on fostering university cooperation between Brazil and Belgium, with a particular emphasis on the exchange of academic and scientific knowledge between the institutions involed. Key discussions led to the creation of new opportunities for UFSC students to participate in exchange programs at Belgian universities, including UGent.

Professors Cristiane Derani and Arno Dal Ri Júnior.

To learn more about the Belgian institutions with existing cooperation agreements with UFSC, click here.

For details on the process of signing international cooperation agreements and general guidelines for International Agreements, visit: https://sinter.ufsc.br/orientacoes-gerais/.

Group who attended the meeting between University of Arizona (USA) and UFSC. Photo: Maria Fernanda Honório/SINTER

On Tuesday, 5 November, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) welcomed the visit of Prof. Dr. Dean Alain-Philippe Durand, Dean of the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona, in Tucson, USA. The meeting, held by the Office of International Relations (SINTER), aimed at discussing the reestablishment of the bilateral cooperation agreement between the institutions which expired this year.

The meeting was also attended by the Secretary for International Relations at UFSC, Prof. Dr. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho, and Prof. Dr. Ronaldo Lima, from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (DLLE/CCE), who is the coordinator of the agreement at UFSC. During the visit, they discussed possibilities for academic collaboration and exchange between students and faculty, strengthening UFSC´s international partnership and promoting new opportunities for research and educational development.

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho; Prof. Dr. Dean Alain-Philippe Durand. Photo: Maria Fernanda Honório/SINTER

The reestablishment of the agreement is intended to expand exchange of knowledge and experiences between universities, contributing to the field of humanities and strengthening UFSC’s international relations.

Signing of the agreement by Prof. Maria João Pinto Cardoso and Prof. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho.

On 5 September 2024, the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) welcomed the Pro-President for ​​International Relations of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra – Portugal, Prof. Maria João Pinto Cardoso, for a lecture organized by the UFSC Institute for Research and Studies in University Administration (INPEAU), on the theme “Development of International Projects: Opportunities for Third Countries within the Scope of the Erasmus+ Program”. The event was attended by the president of INPEAU, Prof. Pedro Antônio de Melo, and was moderated by Prof. Luciane Stallivieri, a researcher at the institute.

According to the Secretary for International Relations at UFSC, Prof. Luiz Carlos Pinheiro Machado Filho, “the lecture was well received by the audience and had a significant participation of the academic community. In addition to enriching the debate on topics of university interest, the event marked an important advance in UFSC’s international relations”.

At the end of the lecture, an Erasmus agreement was formally signed between the two institutions. Prof. Cardoso represented the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, while UFSC was represented by Prof. Machado Filho.

This Erasmus agreement aims to strengthen academic exchange and cooperation between the two institutions, fostering mutual growth and benefiting both university communities.

Arrival of the Brazilian delegation in East Timor. From right to left: Regina Grando, Samuel Penteado, Irlan von Linsingen, Elison Paim, Camila Barros, Patrícia Giraldi, Suzani Cassiani and Renata Anunciação.

On 19 January, a Brazilian faculty delegation arrived in East Timor to initiate the first regular master’s degree program in Education at the Faculty of Education, Arts, and Humanities (FEAH) of the National University of East Timor (UNTL). This milestone follows the signing of a cooperation agreement between UNTL and the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) on 18 August 2023.

The agreement facilitates a four-year collaboration, enabling faculty from UFSC and other Brazilian public institutions to contribute to the academic and research environment at UNTL. Activities include teaching, launching a scientific journal, forming research groups, organizing libraries, and more. The agreement also anticipates the arrival of Timorese professors in Brazil, promoting mutual academic exchange. These initiatives are funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE). Currently, 21 faculty members from Brazilian universities are supervising 33 master’s students at UNTL.

 “A 15-year dream has finally come true, thanks to the efforts of many hands, hearts, and minds!” says UFSC professor Suzani Cassiani.

Professor Cassiani is the coordinator of the Cooperation Agreement between UFSC and UNTL, leader of the study and research group, and UFSC Internationalization Agent. “This is a dream of South-South cooperation that has fostered horizontal, decolonial dialogue and solidarity between our nations.”

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