Brock University’s partnership with the University of the Azores took another step forward this week when delegates from the autonomous region of Portugal visited the St. Catharines campus.
Brock’s Academic Administration, along with Dr. Irene Blayer, and Brock International co-hosted the visit by President Carlos César, former president of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Mrs. Luisa César, former first lady, Mr. David Tavares, president and CEO of Globestar Systems Inc., and Dr. Norris Carroll, Globestar healthcare consultant.
Carlos César served as president from 1996-2012 and is currently a senior advisor of Globestar Systems Europe, which is a branch of Tavares’ company. Both César and Tavares have strong ties to the Portuguese/Azorean community in Canada. Tavares’ company was also the provider of Brock’s current state-of-the-art Emergency Management Systems.
It was nearly a year ago when Brock University formalized an agreement of cooperation with the University of the Azores, with an interest in building on collaborative research activities and exploring the possibility for other forms of mobility, for students and faculty.
The former president of the University of the Azores, Dr. Jorge Medeiros, as well as some faculty members have previously visited Brock. Conversely, a number of Brock faculty from the faculties of Social Sciences, Education and Humanities participated in the International Conference on Storytelling: Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Perspectives, organized by Dr. Blayer in the Azores in 2005, and in 2008 colleagues from the faculty of Humanities participated in Narrating the Portuguese Diaspora (1928-2008): International Conference on Storytelling, co-organized by Dr. Blayer and that took place at the University of Lisbon.
Brock’s Provost and VP Academic attended both conferences, which received support from various entities at Brock University.
Monday’s visit, which included meetings with University Provost Dr. Neil McCartney, led to further understanding of possibilities and discussion around concrete areas in which Brock and the University of Azores might collaborate on projects leading to exchange and mobility opportunities for students and faculty.
Brock University
July 8, 2014
July 8, 2014
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Brock University celebrates the 50th anniversary this year. As of November 2013, 82,000 students have graduated from this academic institution. The student population (undergraduate/graduate) is 18,688, and the male/female ratio – 57%:43%.
The university has 7 faculties (Applied Health Sciences; Goodman School of Business; Education; Humanities; Mathematics and Science; Social Sciences; and Graduate Studies).
“Our rigorous undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs include experiential learning opportunities and one of Canada’s largest co-op programs. Our cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs offer multi-faceted degrees that help students build careers and get jobs. For a decade, Brock has had the second-highest growth of students of any Ontario university.
In the last few years, more than $300 million in construction has been committed or commissioned to expand the campus, and he following recent buildings were part of this expansion: The Plaza building, home of a new campus store and academic space; the Jack and Nora Walker Canadian Centre for Lifespan Development Research, a facility unique in Canada, a new International Centre,the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, a state-of-the-art facility where students and professors explore new frontiers in green science and health and wellness.
In downtown St. Catharines, work will soon be completed on the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, a landmark campus that will support digital media and creativity.
Niagara is the heart of Ontario’s vineyard country. Brock graduates from the Oenology and Viticulture program contribute to the international acclaim of our local vintages.
Brock has a park-like setting atop the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario’s Niagara peninsula, and Brock’s campus is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Being located in the cradle of Canadian history, our region is dotted with landmarks that recognize a nation’s story and celebrate our heritage figures. This includes the University’s namesake, Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock.
When students from across our seven faculties gave their ratings to the Globe and Mail Canadian University Report, Brock was one of Canada’s top medium-size institutions in terms of quality of education, quality of teaching and most satisfied students.”
(About Brock)
