WVU will sign an MOU with the Federal University of Parana, Brazil, Monday (Sept. 18) to promote opportunities for research, faculty exchange and grant collaboration.
A new agreement between West Virginia University and the Federal University of Parana will promote opportunities for research, faculty exchange and a grant collaboration between the universities.
A delegation of four high-ranking university administrators from UFPR, Curitiba, Brazil, will visit the WVU campus on Monday (Sept. 18). The UFPR delegation, which includes UFPR President, Ricardo Marcelo Fonseca, Vice-President of Planning, Budget and Finance, Fernando Mezzadri, Director of International Affairs, Andre Duarte, and Graduate Programs Coordinator André Rodacki, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with WVU.
“As a comprehensive university in Brazil offering many of the same programs and degrees as WVU, this MOU provides a great opportunity to advance the mission of WVU and College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences through teaching, research and service opportunities for both faculty and students,” said Jack Watson, professor and chair of the Department of Sport Sciences.
The relationship between WVU and UFPR had its origins about a decade ago when Gonzalo Bravo, associate professor of sport management in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, participated at a sport policy conference, organized by the UFPR Center for Sport and Leisure and Society.
Since 2008, Bravo has returned to Brazil seven times to participate in conferences, give invited lectures and support research projects with professionals and faculty at UFPR as well as other institutions across Brazil, including the Ministry of Sport and the House of Representatives. More recently, Bravo completed a sabbatical semester at UFPR during the fall of 2016. It was during this time that the MOU between WVU and UFPR took its initial form.
The Federal University of Paranais a federal university that was founded in 1912. It is located in Curitiba, Parana, 250 miles south of Sao Paulo. UFPR currently offers 124 undergraduate majors, 44 doctoral programs and 66 masters programs. Total enrollment in 2016 was 26,814 undergraduates, 3,905 masters’ students and 2,758 PhD students.
During its visit to WVU, the UFPR delegation will hold meetings with different units on campus, including CPASS, Statler College, Davis College and WVU Teaching and Learning Commons.
-WVU-
kc/09/12/17
CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, Strategic Communications
College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
304.293.0827; Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu
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