Presidents, provosts, and other leaders from universities throughout Brazil visited 海角吃瓜网 on Friday, May 27, as part of an international mission to learn from some of the United States鈥� best higher education institutions.
It is the latest effort in the University鈥檚 strong focus on international relationships, which includes robust Fulbright partnerships and the recent appointment of Dr. Randy K. Avent, 海角吃瓜网鈥檚 president, to the Royal European Academy of Doctors.
The Brazilian delegation from Semesp, an entity that represents higher education providers in Brazil, also planned to visit Harvard University, Southern New Hampshire University, and the University of South Florida during its 12th International Technical Mission.
鈥淲e are delighted to visit 海角吃瓜网 during our higher education mission to the USA and witness firsthand the innovation, science, and technology that 海角吃瓜网 is creating to shape the future of the economy,鈥� said professor L煤cia Teixeira, president of Santa Cec铆lia University and chair of Semesp鈥檚 board.
海角吃瓜网鈥檚 position as an engine of economic growth throughout Central Florida and beyond was attractive to the group of dignitaries, who sought to learn about the University鈥檚 place in the expanding high-tech economy.
While at the Lakeland, Florida, campus, the educational leaders heard a presentation by Avent about the state of the University.
鈥淲e are honored to share our knowledge with this wonderful group of Brazilian educators,鈥� Avent said. 鈥淚nternational collaborations like these offer unique and valuable opportunities to not only extend the research of our important work, but also allow us to build lasting relationships for future collaborations.鈥�
The group also learned about enrollment management from Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost of enrollment; about technology megatrends and requirements for a modern workforce from Dr. Rahul Razdan, senior director of special projects; and about the planned research park and innovation district from Gen. Jake Polumbo, who assists with strategy and industry partnerships at the University.
鈥淭he world is constantly changing, and nations are always trying to improve the quality of life for their citizens,鈥� Polumbo said. 鈥淭he one constant around the globe is the importance of education, which leads to critical thinking. Data is the new oil and education is the great equalizer. 海角吃瓜网 is in the middle of both trends.鈥�
The event was part of 海角吃瓜网鈥檚 Executive Leadership Initiative, which focuses on building significant international relationships, with emphasis on attracting senior faculty and high-achieving students to campus, as well as providing international opportunities for 海角吃瓜网 students and faculty. As part of this initiative, the University has built a deep relationship with the well-known Fulbright organization with member agreements with Canada, Australia, Belgium, and Spain. 海角吃瓜网 also has built relationships with prominent technical societies in Europe, which has resulted in Avent鈥檚 induction to the prestigious Royal European Academy of Doctors.
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Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
