by Erika Yamamoto for the USP Journal – January, 24th

The signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement took place at the Hall of Acts of the Rectorate – Photo: Marcos Santos/USP Images.

On Tuesday, January 23, USP and the University of Groningen (Netherlands) signed an academic cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening collaborative research, organizing conferences, courses, and other scientific and cultural events, as well as facilitating the exchange of faculty, researchers, staff, and students.

“The internationalization of the University is very important, both in terms of teaching and research. Currently, our strategy is to prioritize relationships with partner universities, strengthening the collaboration that already exists. The University of Groningen is certainly one of our main partners,” said the rector Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior.

The rector of the University of Groningen, Jacqueline Scherpen, emphasized that “the visit to USP has been very interesting and productive, with many opportunities to expand the existing collaboration between the two universities, which share many common points.” During the meeting, the possibility of establishing an office of the Dutch university at USP was also discussed.

The document was signed by the rector of the University of Groningen, Jacqueline Scherpen, and the rector of USP, Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior – Photo: Marcos Santos/USP Images

In addition to the signing of the cooperation agreement, the Groningen delegation also met with other leaders of the University and held informational sessions with researchers and students at the Inova USP building.

Attending the ceremony were USP’s Provost for Graduate Studies, Rodrigo Calado; former rector and international special advisor to the University of Groningen’s Board, Elmer Sterken; Director of Strategy and International Relations, Mervin Bakker; and other representatives from both universities.

Opportunity for Exchange

Until January 21st, master’s students from various fields of knowledge had the opportunity to apply for a scholarship from the Erasmus+ Program, for an exchange program at the University of Groningen.

A total of five positions were offered for exchanges lasting 60 to 90 days, to conduct research and learning activities related to the project that will result in the master’s thesis, and which may later integrate into the double-degree doctoral program between USP and the University of Groningen.