The University of Northampton has partnered with the Universidade do Estado de Rio de Janeiro

The University of Northampton’s School of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).

Professor Nick Petford, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Northampton signed the formal agreement on 21 August, which includes provisions for joint research activities, staff development for teaching and research and student exchange visits.

A plan of activities has been put in place to establish and develop the future partnership between the two universities, following a visit from UERJ’s Professor Carmen de Mattos to the University of Northampton in June 2013. Further discussion has identified areas of mutual interest for academic and research collaboration and knowledge transfer between the two institutions.

Prior to this, Dr Cristina Devecchi, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, secured a Santander Award, which enabled her to visit UERJ in May 2013. She used her time in Rio de Janeiro to meet colleagues, students and prepare the documentation for the signing of the MoU.

Situated in the Maracanã area of Rio de Janeiro, UERJ is a public university founded in 1950. It ranks 35th amongst South American Universities and has approximately 23,000 students making of the biggest educational providers in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Alayna Carter, International Officer at the University of Northampton, is due to visit UERJ in October to discuss further expansion of the agreement in areas such as postgraduate recruitment, staff exchange, PhD joint supervision and also post-doctoral opportunities.