Held from November 12 to 14, 2024, at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Belo Horizonte, the event was organized by UFMG with support from other federal universities in Minas Gerais, particularly the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), which proposed and sponsored UNITA’s participation.
This fall, Brazil provided an exciting opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration as UNITA participated in the 40th Brazilian National Forum of Vice-Presidents and Directors of Research and Graduate Studies of Brazilian Universities (ENPROP; https://www.ufmg.br/enprop/). The forum brings together institutions accredited by the Ministry of Education’s CAPES agency (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel).
The forum’s theme, “Asymmetries, Inequalities & Complementarities,” aligned seamlessly with UNITA’s mission. This synergy was particularly evident during the panel discussion, “Regional Asymmetries: Deconstructing Stereotypes and Promoting Complementarity in Postgraduate Studies.” The panel coincided with CAPES’ upcoming initiative to foster national university alliances for interinstitutional funding under the soon-to-be-launched CAPES Global Program for the internationalization of Brazilian universities—an alleged upgraded and turbocharged version of the previous CAPES PrInt Program. With over 220 representatives from the 289 affiliated higher education institutions engaged in research and postgraduate studies, the forum offered a remarkable platform, and UNITA made the most of it.
Representing UNITA was Prof. María Villarroya Gaudó of the University of Zaragoza (UniZar). Her visit began at UFV, where she shared her experiences with students, staff, and faculty, showcasing the collaborative potential of UNITA and UniZar. This lively day of discussions and exploration also coincided with the release of CAPES’ international postgraduate mobility call, ensuring a timely and impactful dialogue.
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Prof. Villarroya then joined the ENPROP discussions in Belo Horizonte, where she highlighted UNITA’s efforts to address regional asymmetries and foster complementarities. Her presentation, combined with active participation in four discussion groups, significantly enriched the forum’s outcomes. The enthusiasm for collaboration extended into informal exchanges, where participants eagerly practiced their Spanish—or the hybrid “Portunhol” (or “Portuñol”)—showcasing the spirit of intercomprehension. These interactions amplified the event’s impact, drawing attention from institutions across Brazil, including federal, state, non-profit, and private universities, and further solidifying UNITA’s reputation as a global benchmark for innovative alliances.
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The collaboration also strengthened ties with UNITA’s Geminae partners, particularly in Brazil. The National Directory of the Brazilian Forum of Vice-Presidents and Directors of Research and Graduate Studies (DN-FOPROP), along with UFV’s Faculty of Research and Graduate Studies and International Office, expressed heartfelt gratitude to UNITA for its support. They also commended Prof. Villarroya and UniZar for their dedication and meaningful contributions. This collaboration promises to yield fruitful outcomes in the near future!
