The Institute of International Education is leading the delegation, which includes representatives from 15 U.S. institutions. In addition to FHSU, the participating institutions are Arizona State University, Ball State University, California State University-Long Beach, Central College, Howard University, Indian Hills Community College, Morgan State University, Parsons-The New School for Design, Savannah State University, SUNY Plattsburgh, the University of Tulsa, Washington and Jefferson College, Webster University, and Western Michigan University.

Cindy Elliott, assistant provost for strategic partnerships, and Dr. Tim Crowley, dean of the Graduate School, will represent FHSU on the trip to Brazil.

The study tour is the centerpiece of IIE's year-long International Academic Partnership Program focusing on Brazil. According to the IIE: "This timely visit comes at an exciting moment in U.S.-Brazil academic relations, with the Brazil Scientific Mobility Program in full swing and a major academic collaboration with Harvard and MIT in the works, following an unprecedented visit to Boston by Brazil's president Dilma Roussef last year to sign agreements with these two campuses."

IIE will lead the delegation of U.S. educators to São Paulo, Campinas, Recife, Salvador, and Brasília to visit public and private higher education institutions and meet with officials from the Fulbright Commission and other international organizations, as well as Brazil's Ministry of Education, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development.

In addition, the delegation will participate in several high-level policy events, including a U.S.-Brazil Partnerships Roundtable in São Paulo. This roundtable discussion will include representatives of Brazilian higher education institutions from across the country and will focus on the challenges and opportunities in expanding U.S.-Brazil educational relations.

"At a time when Brazil is emerging as a cultural and economic powerhouse in the region, and the United States looks to forging unprecedented ties in trade and scientific development, we at IIE believe the two countries should develop strong partnerships in higher education as well," said IIE President and CEO Allan E. Goodman.

IIE launched the International Academic Partnership Program in 2009 to help U.S. colleges and universities develop strategic plans for partnering with certain focus countries. IIE has led delegations to China, India, Brazil and Myanmar in the past few years. Recent research and reports issued by IIE's Center for International Partnerships in Higher Education have highlighted the increasing importance of strategic international partnerships in building the capacity of academic institutions and providing a global environment for students and faculty.

IIE is partnering with the Brazilian government on the new Brazil Scientific Mobility Program, which seeks to send 100,000 students overseas for science education and training, including 20,000 to the United States. IIE has been working closely with CAPES and CNPq to place the undergraduate scholarship students at U.S. universities.

These scholarships are specifically targeted to produce a workforce that is trained in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and has the language and cultural skills needed to succeed in the workplace. IIE anticipates there will be increased interest in coming to the United States to study as the students return to Brazil and share their experiences with their friends and classmates.

IIE is working with EducationUSA to hold U.S. University Fairs in Brazil to connect the U.S. universities directly with students interested in STEM fields and to showcase opportunities for students to study in these fields at accredited U.S. colleges and universities. The fairs are being held on April 27 in Sao Paulo, April 29 in Recife and May 4 in Rio de Janeiro. This is part of a new series of U.S. University STEM Fairs in Latin America, which includes university fairs and school visits in several cities in Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

Both the partnership program and the fairs will advance the international student exchanges with the region that are the centerpiece of President Obama's "100,000 Strong in the Americas," an initiative launched in 2011 to increase international study in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the purpose of which is to "foster region-wide prosperity through greater international exchange of students, who are our future leaders and innovators." The initiative aims to build closer people-to-people ties among the people of the Western Hemisphere and to help address common challenges, including citizen security, economic opportunity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

About the Institute of International Education

The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. An independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of over 20 offices worldwide and over 1,000 member institutions. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. IIE also conducts policy research and program evaluations, and provides advising and counseling on international education and opportunities abroad.