Author: Ramon Nogueira Marins

On November 6 and 7, staff members from the Office for International Relations (SGRI) took part in the FAUBAI Southeast Meeting, held at Fluminense Federal University (UFF). The Brazilian Association for International Education (FAUBAI) brings together higher education institutions from across the country with the goal of strengthening and promoting the internationalization of Brazilian education.

The meeting sought to foster closer collaboration among institutions in the Southeast region through the exchange of experiences, lessons learned, and best practices in internationalization.

During the event, SGRI representatives took part in roundtables presenting experiences from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The General Coordinator, Guilherme Ramos, presented the paper “Managing an International Relations Office from UFRJ’s Experience: Perspectives and Challenges” in a session dedicated to the management of internationalization. The Director for International Relations, Izabel Souza, discussed various mobility initiatives and cooperation networks developed at UFRJ.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for professional exchange and capacity building, reinforcing SGRI’s commitment to continuously enhancing UFRJ’s internationalization initiatives.

*Translated using artificial intelligence. Minor inaccuracies may occur.

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) deeply mourns the passing of the French exchange student Thomas Stephane Jean Goumot, from the École des Ingénieurs de la Ville de Paris (EIVP). Thomas disappeared in the sea at Guaratiba after being swept away by a wave. His body was recovered last Saturday.

UFRJ expresses its profound sorrow over this tragic loss and extends its sincere condolences to Thomas’s family and to the EIVP community during this time of mourning and grief.

On October 16, the Office for International Relations (SGRI) welcomed Ms. Poliana Cardoso-Scheibenberger, Director of the Welcome Center at the University of Salzburg, and Mr. Bruce Scheidl, Talent and Education Manager at the Austrian Consulate General in São Paulo.

The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for collaboration between UFRJ and Austrian institutions—particularly those based in Salzburg—and on exchanging insights about support and integration initiatives for international students and researchers, through presentations about the Welcome Center’s operations.

Joining the discussion were professors Mônica Freitas, SGRI’s geopolitical coordinator for relations with Germany and German-speaking countries, and Miriam Werneck, coordinator at UFRJ’s Institute of Biophysics.

On October 15, UFRJ hosted a delegation representing several higher education institutions from Macau, China, to discuss opportunities for future academic and scientific cooperation. The meeting marked the beginning of negotiations for partnership agreements with the eight participating universities.

During the visit, an open cotutelle agreement was signed between UFRJ and the University of Macau by UFRJ’s Vice-Rector, Professor Cassia Turci, and the University of Macau’s Vice-Rector, Professor Hui King Man. The agreement represents an important step toward strengthening collaboration between the two institutions.

*Translated using artificial intelligence. Minor inaccuracies may occur.

On October 7, the International Relations Office (SGRI/UFRJ) welcomed Professor Stefania Stefanelli, Acting Vice-Rector for Internationalization at the Università degli Studi di Perugia (Italy). On this occasion, the two universities signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize their mutual interest in developing joint initiatives.

Discussions addressed potential collaboration in areas such as dual-degree programs and student and faculty mobility within the framework of the European Erasmus+ program. In addition to SGRI representatives, the meeting was attended by UFRJ Vice-Rector Professor Cassia Turci, Professor Stefanella Boatto, Coordinator for International Relations at the Center for Mathematical and Natural Sciences (CCMN), and Professor Eleonora Mesquita from the National Faculty of Law (FND).

The International Relations Office (SGRI/UFRJ) welcomed representatives from several French and African universities for a guided visit to laboratories located at UFRJ’s Technology Park, as part of a mission organized by Campus France. The delegation visited the Laboratory for Ocean Technology (LabOceano) and the Laboratory for Process Intensification and Catalysis (Lipcat).

The following day, SGRI took part in the official Campus France event “Institutional Meetings – France-Brazil Season,” focused on discussions about collaborative actions among participating universities. Professor Papa Ndiaye, UFRJ’s General Superintendent for International Relations, joined a roundtable on good practices in higher education internationalization.

SGRI also held bilateral meetings with representatives from several institutions to explore potential partnerships and discuss possible joint initiatives. In total, the mission gathered delegates from 39 French universities, six African universities (from Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Kenya), and several Brazilian institutions.

UFRJ, represented by its Vice-Rector, Professor Cassia Turci, took part in the 18th General Assembly and the 15th International Seminar of the Brazilian Universities’ International Cooperation Group (GCUB), held from September 30 to October 3, 2025, in Recife, Pernambuco. The event brought together representatives from universities, diplomats, and government authorities from around 40 countries, aiming to strengthen international cooperation in higher education. In addition to encouraging new agreements and partnerships, the meeting sought to expand the global presence of Brazilian universities and reinforce Brazil’s role as a reference in scientific production.

During the event, UFRJ signed memoranda of understanding with Università degli Studi di Teramo and Università degli Studi di Parma, two prominent Italian higher education institutions. The agreements mark the beginning of a partnership aimed at developing future joint initiatives for academic and scientific collaboration.

*Translated using artificial intelligence. Minor inaccuracies may occur.

On Monday, September 29, a delegation from Università degli Studi di Teramo (UNITE) was welcomed at UFRJ by Vice-Rector Professor Cassia Turci, in a meeting that also included the participation of SGRI and representatives from various deans’ offices and academic units of UFRJ. The main purpose of the meeting was to foster an initial dialogue between the institutions, aiming to identify potential areas of collaboration.

As a first step of mutual interest, it was agreed that UFRJ and UNITE will sign a protocol of intentions in the coming days, during the participation of Professor Cassia and UNITE’s Rector, Professor Christian Corsi, in the XVIII General Assembly & XV International Seminar of the Coimbra Group of Brazilian Universities (GCUB), to be held in Recife from September 30 to October 3, 2025.

*Translated using artificial intelligence. Minor inaccuracies may occur.