Australian and Brazilian universities have agreed to sign an MOU to further develop relations and opportunities between respective higher education sectors, the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee (AVCC) said this week.

CQU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard was part of the AVCC delegation to Brazil.

The delegation was in Brazil on the third leg of a Latin America visit and met with its counterpart organisation, the Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities (CRUB) whose members comprise of 138 federal, state, municipal and private universities.

The two groups will meet again late in 2005 to formally sign the MOU and to discuss further opportunities to collaborate and build on the agreement.

AVCC President Professor Di Yerbury said that the signing of the MOU would significantly enhance relations between the two countries and would provide many opportunities for Australian students and universities.

“Currently Australian and Brazilian universities have nine active agreements in which seven Australian universities are involved. The signing of the MOU will increase this number of cross-institutional links,” Professor Yerbury said.

“Higher education in Brazil is a major area of growth for the nation and has been expanding rapidly since the mid 1990s. Today approximately 2.5% of Brazilian tertiary students enrolled to study abroad study in Australia.

“The number of students enrolling in a higher education degree in Brazil is rapidly increasing and Australian universities are looking to increase the number of Brazilian students studying in Australia, as well as engaging in more staff and student exchanges, and increasing collaboration in research and teaching between universities.

“An important aspect of providing opportunities for Australian and Brazilian academics and students to engage is the development of long-term contacts and networks that will be beneficial for both nations well into the future,” Professor Yerbury said.

On the previous day, the AVCC delegation witnessed the signing of an MOU between the Minister for Education, Science and Training Dr Brendan Nelson and the Brazilian Minister for Education Minister Tarso Genro.

The AVCC delegation had previously visited Mexico and Chile for talks on issues of mutual interest such as student exchanges, quality assurance, and research collaboration.

The AVCC delegation includes the President, Professor Di Yerbury, and fellow Vice-Chancellors, Professors Peter Sheehan of the Australian Catholic University; John Rickard from Central Queensland University; and Professor John Taplin, Pro Vice Chancellor of Adelaide University; and AVCC Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Mullarvey.

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Photo: The AVCC representatives in Brazil agree to sign an MOU to strengthen ties and opportunities with its counterpart organisation Council of Rectors of Brazilian Universities (CRUB). From left representatives from CRUB Paulo Alcantara Gomes and Manasses Fonteles are joined by the AVCC representatives Professor Peter Sheehan, Professor Di Yerbury and Professor John Rickard.