The dean of the University of Belgrade in Serbia, Vladan Đokić, was at USP’s Dean’s Office on Thursday, September 19, to discuss possible partnerships. On the occasion, a protocol of intentions for international cooperation was signed, providing opportunities and prospects for joint projects in teaching, research, and services to the community.
Professor at the European institution’s Architecture School, Đokić commented that he was impressed by USP’s campus in São Paulo and, in particular, by the building of the Architecture, Urbanism and Design School (FAU): “As an architect, I was very happy to be able to see for myself a work that is an example of the world-renowned brutalist style and designed by a renowned architect [Vilanova Artigas].” He also pointed out that he saw many similarities between his university and USP: “I found it interesting how both institutions are public and among the best and oldest in our countries, as well as having similar sizes in terms of numbers of students, professors, and teaching units, working in all areas of knowledge,” he said.
For the dean of USP, Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Junior, it is a pleasure to establish a collaboration between the institutions: “We have greatly strengthened internationalization at our University because we know the impact it has on the quality of our research. This can be achieved not only through mobility programs, but also by setting up international laboratories and centers within USP, as is the case with the Institut Pasteur São Paulo unit, in partnership with the French institute, and the recently opened Medical Mycology Center, together with institutions in the United Kingdom and South Africa. From this agreement that we are signing today, we will be able to establish cooperation in various disciplines in the future,” he celebrated.
The visit was the result of an initial approach between professors from the University of Belgrade and USP’s Law School (FD), which was represented at the meeting by Professor Fernando Menezes. He explained that Serbia has been making moves to modernize its judicial system and, to this end, has looked to Brazil for inspiration. “We carry out exchange activities and, through them, the Serbians are getting to know legal and institutional practices in which we are already more advanced. We met the dean of the University of Belgrade in the course of our work and, when we heard that he would be in Brazil, we saw an opportunity to expand this relationship with USP,” Menezes explained.
The meeting was also attended by the president of the USP Agency for National and International Academic Cooperation (Aucani), Sergio Proença, who noted that USP already has two agreements with institutions in Serbia: one with the Philosophy, Languages, and Human Sciences School (FFLCH) and another with the Education School (FE).
