São Paulo – “It has already been possible to build a bridge between both universities and countries and I hope that this will become a high-speed freeway,” said yesterday (7) the vice president for Regional and External Programs at the American University of Beirut, Hassan Diab, at a meeting with the press at São Caetano do Sul Municipal University (USCS).
This is the first time that Diab travels to Brazil. “It is an exploratory trip and I am here to identify several common points among the two universities,” he said. According to him, one of the reasons for which it is necessary to build several bridges between Brazil and Lebanon is the fact that among the almost 200 million Brazilians there are at least 12 million Arabs and descendants living here.
The Lebanese pointed out that several ideas were discussed with the governor of USCS and that new talks and visits may be necessary to identify opportunities. “I plan to return for other visits, as Brazil has 2,500 universities. I really want to establish these links between both countries and to visit other universities,” he guaranteed.
The American University of Beirut has dozens of cooperation agreements with many universities, especially in North Africa and the Middle East. Over the last 30 years we signed over 500 agreements. Among them, the vice president pointed out those signed with universities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman.
Apart from Lebanon, the institution offers programs of several natures in another 17 countries, in 25 cities, basically in the Middle East and North Africa. “The agreements may last from seven to 10 years, and may be specific, like the one established with the University of Qatar, which asked for advisory for certain colleges,” he explained.
“One of the several possibilities is working with the vast experience the university and its courses already have guaranteeing the growth and internationalisation of Brazilian universities,” said Diab.
The dean of USCS, Silvio Augusto Minciotti, said that “the first step, without which nothing happens, has already been taken.” “Our target now is to consolidate the international relations department and intensify the contact with several countries worldwide,” he said.
According to Minciotti, this is the beginning of a process that the university plans to intensify. “We have identified, based on a research with students and professors, that one of our objectives is to extend the university. It has consolidated itself much in the region in recent years and expectations are for it to take this expertise out of the region and of Brazil,” he guaranteed.
Diab also pointed out that the scenery in Brazil is the same as that identified elsewhere in the world. “There are many universities operating as supermarkets, interested in selling diplomas. But this is not the case with USCS, which is concerned with the quality of teaching and registration of the institution and its programs,” he said.
Among the actions forecasted in the future partnership between both universities are the promotion of courses in shared disciplines, research programs, cultural projects and mobility of professors, students and researchers.
Exporting talent
“Some countries stand out as gold exporters, others for the export of specific products, Lebanon stands out for exporting brains,” said Diab, in reference to the fact that many students who graduate at the university end up travelling to other countries in the Middle East, Europe or the United States. “About 90% of our graduates get jobs before finishing their course,” he pointed out.
The university is a reference in the areas of Engineering, Medicine, Arts and Science. Established in 1866, it now has 144 years of experience, 7,600 students, 46 graduate courses, 58 master’s courses and eight doctoral courses.
About USCS
In operation for 42 years and with around 5,000 students, the São Caetano do Sul Municipal University offers masters in Communications and Administration and doctoral courses in Administration. In the area of graduation it has 33 courses, in the schools of Communications, Information Technology, Law, Education, Health, Technological Graduation and Business.
Contacts
São Caetano do Sul Municipal University
www.uscs.edu.br
American University of Beirut
www.aub.edu
*Translated by Mark Ament
