(No. 345 - October 22, 2010 - 3 p.m. ET) The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Americas), today announced that Canada and Brazil have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance academic mobility and scientific cooperation.
"This Memorandum opens a window of opportunity in Canada's relationship with a burgeoning political and economic power player," said Minister of State Kent. "By promoting greater collaboration and exchange between Canadian and Brazilian researchers and institutions, this agreement will drive innovation and enhance prosperity in both our countries."
"The new memorandum of understanding on higher education between Brazil and Canada consolidates the basis for deeper cooperation among universities and colleges of the two countries," said Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto, Ambassador of Brazil to Canada. "It complements the agreement on science, technology and innovation that entered into force in April 2010. We now have the framework to support Canadian and Brazilian scientists, professors and students in pursuing their endeavours to benefit our societies."
The MOU will provide opportunities for research collaboration, student exchanges, short-term awards and other activities involving the two countries' academic communities.
The MOU builds on a number of other bilateral instruments of cooperation, including the Canada-Brazil Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation, which was signed in November 2008.
A first call for proposals, the Canada-Brazil Awards: Joint Projects, will soon be launched under the new MOU. Successful proposals will involve team-oriented research projects that include Canadian and Brazilian institutions of higher education and will increase graduate student mobility.
For more information, please visit International Scholarships or Embassy of Canada to Brazil.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Meredith McDonald
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas)
613-944-7013
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
