The study tour participants today had our pre-departure meeting at the Brazilian Embassy in London. It was a very useful opportunity to get together to discuss what we want to get out of the trip, deal with logistical issues, and get to know each other.
We were very kindly hosted by the Embassy staff and had a briefing from Counsellor Helena Gasparian, Head of the Cultural Section, who gave us a very interesting and detailed summary of education in Brazil.
The next few posts will outline what our three study themes are interested in. Please feel free to comment on any of our posts, particularly if you think there is something we should be particularly investigating.
Friday, 14 January 2011
Saturday, 1 January 2011
About the Study Tour
Brazil is a huge and diverse country. It is the fifth largest country in the world and, with a population of 190 million, has the fourth largest population. As well as significant immigration from Europe, which has resulted in Portuguese as the national language, it also has the second largest black population in the world. Brazil has the tenth largest economy in the world and is one of the four major developing powers, along with Russia, India and China (the so-called BRIC countries).
As Brazil continues to grow at a rapid pace it is inevitable that its international engagement will grow too, including in the area of higher education. Its performance in international university rankings is improving too, with three institutions now in the world top 400.
The AUA study tour will aim to look at the impacts of Brazil’s emergence as a major world power on higher education in Brazil and the implications for the UK sector. It will do so by examining three areas:
1. Academic Standards and Course Construction
Including quality mechanisms; course structure; global and partnership consequences; what is means for students and Brazil.
2. Student Expectations and Representation
Including public information about universities’ infrastructure and learning environment; student support; student achievement; student evaluation and representations.
3. Teaching, Learning and Pedagogy
Including private vs. public; typologies; monitoring and support; funding and socio-economic boundaries.
As Brazil continues to grow at a rapid pace it is inevitable that its international engagement will grow too, including in the area of higher education. Its performance in international university rankings is improving too, with three institutions now in the world top 400.
The AUA study tour will aim to look at the impacts of Brazil’s emergence as a major world power on higher education in Brazil and the implications for the UK sector. It will do so by examining three areas:
1. Academic Standards and Course Construction
Including quality mechanisms; course structure; global and partnership consequences; what is means for students and Brazil.
2. Student Expectations and Representation
Including public information about universities’ infrastructure and learning environment; student support; student achievement; student evaluation and representations.
3. Teaching, Learning and Pedagogy
Including private vs. public; typologies; monitoring and support; funding and socio-economic boundaries.
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