UFV is one of the Brics Network University

26 de May de 2017

An international graduate course in renewable energy will be offered by UFV

The Universidade Federal de Viçosa will be one of the nine Brazilian universities selected to be part of the Brics Network University – Brics NU – a group of emerging countries that brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. UFV was one of the participants of the notice issued by MEC and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), proposing the creation of an international graduate program in Renewable Energy. In this area only two projects were approved in Brazil, the UFV and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC).

The Program suggested by UFV will integrate thedepartments of Agricultural Engineering, Forest Engineering and Plant Science in three areas: Wood Energy, Varieties with Potential for Energy and Energy Rationalization in Agricultural Processes. The proposal also defined professors and advisors for the Program.

According to the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies (PPG), Luiz Alexandre Peternelli, the notice for the creation of the Brics NU was launched in January, 2016. The interested Universities had only three weeks to present a participation propose, according to the Memorandum of Understanding for the UN Brics Establishment, signed in November 18, 2015, in Moscow. In order to create the proposal, the PPG brought together teachers from different areas. “It was a hard job, made by about ten employees, in daily meetings at PPG. Many have given up their vacation periods to collaborate with this project that will further stimulate the internationalization of our University” said the Dean.

The Notice had the goal of selecting Graduate Programs recognized and recommended by Capes, with a grade of 6 or higher in the following priority areas: Computer Science and Information Security; Ecology and Climate Change; Economy; Energy; And Water Resources and Pollution Treatment. The UFV chose to create and offer a Graduate Program, fully taught in English and supported by information technologies and distance teaching in the field of renewable energy.

The UFV Program will be coordinated by the professor from the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Delly Oliveira Filho, and the Professor Sérgio Motoike, from the Department of Plant Science. In April, the meetings between the universities were initiated to define more details of the projects.

The Network University of Brics will allow the development of bilateral and multilateral programs of teaching and research and train masters and doctors as well as provide the exchange of students, professors and researchers. According to Capes, the UN-Brics comes to meet the needs of the countries by expanding access to contemporary methods, forms and technologies of education. Another goal is to facilitate the sustainable development of the countries, disseminating knowledge and skills through joint research and educational activities.

For More information about the Brics Network University, click in this link.