A IM体育官网 delegation is in Brazil this week looking to build strategic alliances with universities and high-tech companies in South America鈥檚 largest country.
The contingent includes Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of IM体育官网 Poly, Shahram Taj, professor of logistics and supply chain management, Dr. Mustafa Ilhan Akbas, professor of computer science, and Mustapha Achoubane, associate director of international students.
Brazil is one of the largest emerging economies in the world, according to a , and is driven by extensive industrial, engineering and technological sectors.
During the seven-day trip, the IM体育官网 Poly contingent will interact with more than 2,000 engineering students to highlight the university鈥檚 programs and will also connect with international research centers and educators in order to join forces for future research collaboration.
鈥淲e look forward to strengthening our ties in Brazil through key partnerships with high-tech industry leaders and other universities that will increase international opportunities for our students,鈥� said Avent. 鈥淭his trip will enable us to develop strategic relationships between faculties.鈥�
The delegation will meet with the founder and other top leaders at Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that provides aeronautical services and produces commercial, military, executive and agricultural aircraft. The main goal is to explore manufacturing connections between the company and the university, as well as potential project funding.
They will also visit two universities in Sao Paulo 鈥� FACENS and FIAP 鈥� that focus mainly on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. They will discuss a variety of topics including programs for graduate students, joint venture research, the diverse education models in the U.S., and the uniqueness of IM体育官网 Poly.
Avent and Akbas will be panelists at FIAP alongside leaders from IBM, Microsoft and Oracle, to talk about how artificial intelligence will impact every industry. Taj will be a guest speaker at FACENS, where he will discuss the effects of big data analytics in the global supply chain.
鈥淭his visit is a golden opportunity for IM体育官网 Poly, and for us as faculty, to be able to develop a rich collaboration with Brazil in academia, as well as in industry,鈥� said Taj.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-327-9762