Thirty university presidents join higher education mission to Brazil

OTTAWA, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's university presidents are preparing for an unprecedented higher education mission to Brazil, April 25-May 2. About thirty university presidents will visit Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Campinas and Brasilia to promote Canada as a partner of choice for research, innovation and higher education. The presidents will meet with their Brazilian counterparts and announce new research partnerships and scholarship agreements.

"This is the largest international mission of university presidents in Canadian history, which speaks to the importance of building connections with this emerging economic powerhouse," said Stephen Toope, chair of AUCC and president of The University of British Columbia. "Our focus is on establishing and strengthening partnerships in research and innovation.  We will also enhance opportunities for student mobility between our countries, providing experiences that will better prepare students in both countries for the new knowledge-driven economy."

"This mission will build on existing Canada-Brazil relationships and catalyse new ones," said Paul Davidson, president of AUCC. "These partnerships will address the research interests of both countries and foster long-term prosperity."

In the next five years, Brazil is expected to become the fifth largest economy in the world. The university sectors in both countries have long recognized each other's strengths and are keen to forge closer ties.

The Brazil mission is being led by Canada's Governor General, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston. AUCC is the national voice of Canada's universities, representing 95 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities.

Note to Editors: Additional information related to the AUCC presidents' mission to Brazil can be found at www.aucc.ca/brazil.

For further information:

Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
[e-mail]
613-563-1236 ext. 238
Cell: 613-608-8749