Brazil and Canada: A nanosecond of opportunity

Ottawa, June 16, 2011 – In a world of fragile economies, Canada and Brazil have come out strong. Now is Canada’s nanosecond of opportunity to engage with this Latin American powerhouse. Brazil will soon become the world’s fifth largest economy and the eyes of the globe will turn to the south as it plays host to the World Cup and Olympic Games in coming years.

On June 14th and 15th, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) led a two-day session on “Advancing Excellence in Strategic Engagement with Brazil”, bringing together senior delegates from more than half of Canada’s universities, their Brazilian counterparts, government representatives and other stakeholders. Canada’s universities are well-positioned to play a leading role in fostering the kinds of collaborative research and innovation that drives economic growth and strengthens relationships.

In order to accelerate Brazil-Canada links, discussions focused on the importance of research and innovation collaboration and the role of the private sector. Dr. Sara Diamond, President of the Ontario College of Art and Design University, described her university’s experience in working with Brazilian universities and entrepreneurs in the digital economy. Conference attendees expressed interest in pursuing a high-level, bilateral public-private event to further social and economic development through digital tools and content.

Additionally, the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) announced a $200,000 investment to enhance support for bilateral research collaboration. FAPESP also expressed a keen interest to partner with other Canadian institutions. With one per cent of São Paulo state’s gross tax revenue directed toward FAPESP, its budget for research, including scholarships, fellowships and grants, was over $500 million (USD) in 2010.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff recently announced university scholarships for 75,000 Brazilian students to study abroad. Canada’s universities want to host these students.

“We have to work hard to make sure that Canada tops the list when Brazil’s best and brightest students choose an international institution,” says Paul Davidson, President of AUCC. “Succeeding at this will bring tremendous economic benefits to Canada and help build important partnerships and collaboration.”

Canada already enjoys a solid foundation on which to build; more Brazilian students choose Canada for language studies than any other foreign country. “It’s leveraging these kinds of people-to-people linkages that is going to move both countries forward,” says Davidson.

“The Brazilian Government, academic institutions and private sector are very pleased to be part of the construction of this strategic engagement with Canada and look forward to soon harvesting the fruits of the seeds we are planting,” says Brazilian Ambassador to Canada Piragibe Tarragô. The ambassador opened the conference together with Canada’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morris Rosenberg.

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Media Contact:
Helen Murphy
Communications Manager
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Email: hmurphy@aucc.ca
Tel.: 613-563-1236, ext. 238