UFV Staff Mobility to University of Münster Strengthens Relations at the Administrative Level

During the last week of February, the Brazil Centre team had the pleasure to welcome Edneia Soares Cassimiro, Dr Karin da Costa Ribeiro Ferraz, and Silvia Taquetti Mizubuti, from the Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies (PPG) at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV). As part of an internationalisation project aimed at training administrative staff, the UFV team visited the University of Münster to enhance their knowledge and intensify administrative collaboration. The visit aimed to deepen the relationship at administrative level and facilitate exchange regarding processes, approaches, and best practices, while also providing stimulus for effective collaboration. The University of Münster was the first stop for the UFV team in this mobility programme, which aims to promote staff exchange and cultivate close partnerships with European universities.

During the visit, the staff members had the opportunity to learn about the work areas of the Research & Staff department and the Internationalisation department within the International Office of the University of Münster, as well as discuss relevant topics with colleagues from different perspectives. They also had the opportunity to speak with a UFV student who is currently conducting a research stay at the Institute of Evolution and Biodiversity (IEB) at the University of Münster, discussing her experiences with the advisory services of the Brazil Centre. The UFV team also visited the Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology (IBBP), where UFV colleagues were able to discuss administrative aspects of project implementation with UM staff in technical and administrative roles and were given a tour of the institute by colleagues. Both institutes, IEB and IBBP, have maintained a close and fruitful partnership with UFV for many years.

Throughout activities at the Brazil Centre, teams from both universities had the opportunity to get acquainted with their partner university and identify areas of convergence where administrative collaboration between the institutions can be expanded, both with the team in Münster and with the Brazil Centre’s liaison office of the University of Münster in São Paulo through its director, Cíntia Toth. Discussions focused on relevant topics such as funding opportunities (including Erasmus+ and Capes Global.edu), cotutelle procedures, and channels for mutual dissemination of joint activities. These conversations laid the foundations for even closer collaboration between the two universities.

The one-week programme in Münster offered a diverse range of discussions, visits to the canteen, tours of the city and botanical garden, job shadowing, and intensive exchanges, in addition to a welcoming event from the Welcome Centre “Wheelcome”, which created a warm and positive environment for participants, marking an excellent start to the experience. This team mobility with UFV staff demonstrated that deepening dialogue at administrative level between the two universities can not only intensify the partnership but also promote the internationalisation of both institutions.

The University of Münster has maintained research collaborations with the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) for many years, particularly in the areas of landscape ecology and plant biology/biotechnology. Both universities have concluded a cooperation agreement and a framework co-tutoring agreement. Founded in 1926, UFV is considered Brazil’s most important university for agriculture and currently offers programmes also in engineering, humanities, and health. Furthermore, UFV has a Technology Innovation Centre that supports the development of innovations and technologies.

Photos

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•