The agreement provides for international collaboration between the two academic institutions, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence and sustainable development.

by Ingrid Gonzaga for the USP Journal – March, 1st – 2024

Canadian delegation and representatives from USP signed the agreement in the Hall of Acts of the Rectorate on the afternoon of last Tuesday, February 27th – Photo: Michel Sitnik/USP Images.

USP and the University of Alberta (UA), a Canadian institution of higher education, signed an international cooperation agreement last Tuesday, February 27th. The meeting, followed by the signing ceremony of the agreement, was attended by authorities from both universities.

The aim of the commitment is to encourage collaboration between the institutions, allowing for the establishment of future agreements on international academic mobility and joint research projects.

In the meeting preceding the signing, the Rector of the University, Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, and the Provost for International Cooperation, Sérgio Persival Baroncini Proença, met with the Rector of the University of Alberta, Willian Flanagan, the Vice-Rector of UA, Cristian Gonzalez-Paez, and other members of the visiting delegation. Among the main topics discussed were the latest research from the new partners, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and sustainable development.

The rector of the University of Alberta, Willian Flanagan (right), and the rector of USP, Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, establish partnership between their universities – Photo: Michel Sitnik/USP Images.

“We have the presence of important international laboratories in our University, such as the Pasteur Institute and CNRS from France. This month, we also made agreements with the Max Planck Institute in Germany,” Carlotti stated regarding some of the internationalization opportunities that USP offers — even for students who remain in the country.

The Canadian delegation reiterated their interest in visiting campuses in the interior on future visits. “I think international mobility, whether for professors, undergraduate students, or researchers, offers many chances for us to be creative,” responded Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, director of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences at UA, demonstrating enthusiasm for USP’s programs.

Also participating in the event as guests were Vikas Mehrotra, director of the Alberta School of Business; David Bressler, associate director of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences; Lawrence Richer, associate director of the College of Health Sciences Research; and international services partner, Giovana Bianchi.