NORTHERN Ireland’s universities are open for business.
That was the message when the First Minister Peter Robinson and the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness visited Brazil to promote university links.
The Ministers addressed an audience of over 100 students and lecturers at Fundacão Armando Alvares Penteado (FAAP) University in São Paulo to explore collaborative opportunities with our two universities. The visit is part of the Ministers’ week-long business mission to Brazil.
Addressing the audience the First Minister said: “Northern Ireland’s political landscape has changed beyond recognition over the past 15 years. With our newly found peace comes the chance to build, renew and regenerate. The Northern Ireland Executive has drawn up ambitious plans for economic growth, infrastructure enhancement and job creation and it is determined to build on existing trade, tourism and university links to grow our economy.
“I welcome this opportunity to come to Brazil with its position as the sixth largest economy in the world to spread Northern Ireland’s message that we are open for business.”
Speaking at FAAP University the deputy First Minister said: “Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster understand the importance of building connections with overseas universities to develop collaborative research opportunities and exchange programmes.
“Both universities are already attracting students from Brazil through the Science without Borders Programme and we want to build on that and promote further links with government and business in Brazil.
“Sharing knowledge and providing opportunities for our young people to study in each other’s universities helps us to deal collectively with many global challenges.”