Research ties in Latin America

The relationship between Brazil and Australia is developing into a strategic one as both countries discover the similarities, challenges and common opportunities they share. 

The Higher Education sector represents a key opportunity to forge closer ties with Brazil and Latin America more broadly, according to Professor Susan Elliott, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) at the University of Melbourne.

“Both countries are globally recognised for their expertise in research in agriculture, science and technology,” she says, “and both Australia and Brazil are home to world-class universities and think-tanks recognised for their research excellence.”

A University delegation led by the Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis will attend the Brazil-Australia Dialogue in São Paulo in March, demonstrating the University’s distinctly international outlook. 

Engagement between Brazil and Australia is also reinforced through each country’s educational priorities, exemplified in the Science Without Borders (SWB) program. The program is the principal scholarship scheme of the Brazilian government and seeks to strengthen and expand science, technology, innovation and competitiveness through international mobility of undergraduate and graduate students and researchers. It aims to send 100,000 Brazilian students and researchers to top universities worldwide until 2014.

“Programs like Science Without Borders help to promote links between countries and cross-cultural understanding,” says Honorary Consul of Brazil to Victoria, Roger Frankel. “And living and studying in foreign countries broadens students’ horizons, offers a deeper understanding of another country and creates networks which in many cases are life-long.”

The SWB program is helping strengthen ties between the two countries through research, providing a strong foundation for research collaboration on shared challenges. 

“We welcome students participating in the Science without Borders Program and the diversity they bring to the classroom,” Professor Elliott says. “The program also enables us to strengthen our existing partnership with the University of São Paulo and opens up opportunities for future research collaboration.”

Professor James McCluskey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Melbourne, says the University is dedicated to nurturing ties with international partners. 

“Research collaborations present a significant opportunity to improve the quality, scale and impact of our research, increasing the likelihood of major advances. We are keen to develop a strong research relationship with Latin America, starting with Brazil, which we have targeted as a priority.”

The SWB program will also provide opportunities to gain an understanding of the research environment at the University of Melbourne, with undergraduate students from Brazil completing study abroad programs at the University. 

For Lucas Paixão, studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University has been a valuable experience. 

Mr Paixão believes SWB is an ‘amazing program’ through which he has been improving his personal skills, gaining professional experience and also networking with people from all continents.

Like all life-changing experiences, there have been challenges including overcoming the distance from family and friends, however, he says the most positive aspect of the experience has been gaining maturity, independence, English proficiency, and experiencing multiculturalism and a different way of learning and teaching.

Mr Paixão believes his area of studies in Embedded Systems will contribute to his field of research back at the Federal University of Campina Grande in Brazil, reinforcing the program’s aim to be a catalyst for joint research projects and increased research networks between both countries. 

“It is clear that when international students come to this country, it represents a unique opportunity to have them working together with Australians, sharing knowledge, coming up with new ideas and solving current problems,” he says. 

“That’s why engineering exists: to propose viable solutions to meet humanity’s needs.”

Efforts to develop ongoing relationships in Latin America began last year when Melbourne hosted the inaugural Latin America Dialogue during which Chairman of the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) David Luboff confirmed the University of Melbourne and the Australian Embassy in Brazil had been granted funding from COALAR to present the Brazil-Australia Dialogue in partnership with the University of São Paulo.  

That event will be comprised of two distinct streams – international relations and research collaboration – which will run in parallel in March and highlight the increasingly prominent role both nations have in global affairs.

www.research.unimelb.edu.au